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MARCH 2009
City's multi-millionpound health facility
Three new dental surgeries
Pharmacists help inmaintaining a healthy weight
Pravin Tanna stops for good!
Change4Life - getinvolved!
Judith's road torecovery after a stroke
FREE OF CHARGE
On the coverEditor's letter:
Welcome to the March edition of HealthMatters the free magazine from NHSCoventry. This edition has lots of importantinformation about ambitious plans for futurehealth service developments in the city,including additional dental surgeries in WoodEnd, Tile Hill and Stoke Aldermoor.
Since the last edition of Health Matters therehave been some changes in the way primarycare services are delivered. You might havenoticed changes of the opening times at yourGP practice. Nearly half of the GP surgeries arenow opening for longer hours making it easierfor everyone to see a doctor at a time thatsuits them, this is great news for people whocan only make an appointment before or afterwork.
Smoking-related diseases are on the increasemore than ever before, there's no better timeto try and stop smoking with free help andsupport from Coventry's Stop SmokingService. There are a number of ways tocontact the service such as: calling afreephone number, text messaging or visitingthe website, contact details on pages 8 and 9.
At the beginning of this year the governmentintroduced a new campaign called'Change4Life' to tackle high levels of obesityacross the UK. I've included information aboutthe campaign and how you can get involvedand find out about activities in your local area.Simple changes like healthy eating on lowbudget and a little exercise can make a bigdifference to your health.
If you'd like to make any comments orsuggestions about any of the content in thisedition of Health Matters or if you'd like tocontribute your ideas for any future editions,please feel free to contact me:
Suman Ghaiwal,Communications Officer
Telephone 024 7624 6017 [email protected] Web www.coventrypct.nhs.uk
I hope you enjoy reading this edition!
NHS Coventry is the new name for Coventry Teaching Primary CareTrust (PCT), this change follows a national consultation and applies toall primary care trusts in the UK.
The change reflects the fact that primary care trusts are the localleaders of the NHS.
NHS Coventry is responsible for commissioning (buying) all healthservices on your behalf, ensuring that you receive high quality andvalue for money. For more information visit www.coventrypct.nhs.uk
4 Pharmacists help in maintaining a healthy weight
6 Change4life - get involved!
8 Pravin Tanna stops for good
13 Judith’s road to recovery after a stroke
14 City’s multi-million pound health facility
16 Three new dental surgeries
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8
6
New name for yourlocal NHS
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A free text message service is available togive patients, carers and local peopleanother way to share their views andexperiences of health services in the city.
To use the service people can text the word “NHS”followed by their comments to 80039 and these willbe used over time to better understand the views oflocal people and help improve health services. Whynot share your views today!
The scheme is part of the Healthcare in Coventry -Join the Conversation programme launched by thecity's primary care trust last year.
As local leader of the health service, it is importantthat NHS Coventry puts patient and public views atthe centre of its decision making. Adverts on busesand taxis across the city will be encouraging peopleto use the new free service and share theircomments.
Joint Chief Executive Mike Attwood launched thenew text message service at a recent meeting ofpatients, carers and the public.
He said: “NHS Coventry is rapidly developing astrong reputation as an organisation that listens andacts on the views of local people. We want to makesure it is easy for all sectors of our communities tobe able to share their views and experiences with usand this new text message service is just one of themany ways we hope to achieve this.”
Do you want to getinvolved in healthcaredecision making?There are lots of ways in which local peoplecan get involved in sharing their views andhelping the NHS make important decisionsabout health services.
Meetings and special events are regularly heldacross the city and there are a range of groupsand projects that local people can get involvedwith.
Anyone interested in finding out more abouthow to get involved in NHS decision making orhow to share your views on local healthservices, visit www.healthcareincoventry.nhs.uk
To request an information pack, call 024 76246099 or email your name and address [email protected] 3
Esther Peapell, Head of Public and Patient Involvementadded: “NHS Coventry is committed to involvinglocal people in the development of health services.This means keeping Coventry residents informedabout health services in their area; consulting localcommunities about planned changes to healthservices; and involving communities when decisionsare being made which will affect how healthservices are provided.”
New wayto shareyour views
send a txt message!
L-R Debbie Moore, PALS Officer, MikeAttwood, Joint Chief Executive, Esther Peapell,Head of Public and Patient Involvement
Sheet metal workerRichard Wells, aged56, has lost 2 stone8lb since signing upfor the programmewith Pharmacist JohnGoes.
Richard who is 6ft 3intall, was 21 stone 12lb athis first weigh-in but,with John's guidance andencouragement, he cutout snacks like, biscuits,crisps and cakes, andstepped up his walkingand gardening exerciseand found he was losinga pound or two eachweek.
Richard said: “I feel moreactive, I don't feel I'mabout to bulge out of myclothes and I don't get sosweaty in the warm
Pharmacists weigh in -and help Coventry'scommunity slim down
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weather. Not only that,but through the changesto my diet, my wife,Alicia, has also lost twostone.“Going to see John thepharmacist - at first everytwo weeks, then once amonth and later everytwo months - kept me onthe straight and narrowbecause I knew I wasgoing to be weighed andwanted to see progress.”
John Goes, proprietor ofGoes Pharmacy inHolyhead Road, said:“What made this projectwork was that, besidesbeing weighed each timethey came, we discussedpatients' lifestyle andworked out a plan withthem to make lifestylechanges. I'm delightedfor Richard Wells and
Pharmacies taking part…Boots the Chemists49 The Precinct, City Centre
Imperiun Pharmacy1 Wheelwright Lane, Holbrooks
Goes Pharmacy475 Holyhead Road, Coundon
Lloyds Pharmacy55-58 Jubilee Crescent, Radford
Monarch Pharmacy218 Radford Road, Radford
Ringwood Pharmacy200 Wigston Road, Woodway Park
Mount Nod Pharmacy126 Sutherland Avenue, Mount Nod
Superdrug Pharmacy21-23 Market Way, City Centre
Longford ChemistLongford Primary Care Centre, 150 Longford Rd, Longford
Monarch Pharmacy42 Prior Deram Walk, Canley
Tesco PharmacyClifford Bridge Road, Walsgrave
Tesco PharmacyCrosspoint, Walsgrave
Pharmacists in Coventryproved they have just theprescription they need tohelp people lose weight -thanks to an innovativeproject piloted by NHSCoventry.
Thirty patients in the citycompleted the first yearof the CoventryCommunity PharmacyWeight ManagementProject. Which led to atotal of 20 stones(127.3kg) shed bypatients involved, thiswas supported by regularvisits to their localchemists to be weighedand get helpful tips.Many of them also
lowered their bloodpressure and cholesterollevels as a result.
Pharmacies acrossCoventry recruited obesepatients identified asbeing at risk of long-termillnesses and thensupported them to makehealthy lifestyle changes,especially to theirnutrition, diet andexercise habits. Theproject has been hailed asuccess by theDepartment of Healthand other NHS Trustsaround the country arealso starting a similarscheme in their area.
other patients who havebeen helped by thisproject - which shouldhelp to give them ahealthier and longer life.”
John Goes, Pharmacist and Richard Wells
Contact your localPharmacist to find outdetails about joining inthe scheme or visitwww.coventrypct.nhs.uk
Patients can now gettheir regular repeatprescriptions morequickly and easily. The'repeat dispensing'system is becomingincreasingly popular withpatients in Coventry andsaving hundreds ofhours in doctors’ time sothey can see morepatients.
NHS Coventry was one ofthe first Primary CareTrusts in the country topilot the 'repeatdispensing' system, inwhich GPs can sign justone prescription for apatient who needs ayear's worth of repeatmedicines.
Patients whose conditionis stable and who areunlikely to need a changein their medication in thecoming months nowhave no need to keepgoing back to theirsurgery every few weeksto re-order theirmedicines - and can justpop to their pharmacy tocollect them.
Since the early days ofpiloting the scheme in2003 more than amillion prescription itemshave been dispensed inthis way across Coventry.
Mark Galloway, Head ofMedicines Managementfor NHS Coventry said:“It is a winner all round -because it is moreconvenient for patients,saves time for GPs andtheir staff in surgeriesand helps pharmacists tomore efficiently processrepeat prescriptions.
“And repeat dispensingwill soon become eveneasier and moreconvenient for patientsas we are planning tointroduce electronicprescriptions, which willbe sent directly bycomputer from the GPsurgery to thepharmacist.”
Jean Lambert, aged 78who now takes herrepeat prescriptiondirectly to the StyvechalePharmacy in Baginton
Road, Coventry, ratherthan going to her GPevery month, said: “It'sbrilliant. I have anunderactive thyroid andmy husband Edgar, whois 80, has kidney trouble,and we both now haverepeat prescriptions fromour GP to last us for sixmonths. It's muchhandier for us just to popto the pharmacy, wherethey are really caring.”
Pradeep Duggal,proprietor of Styvechale
Repeat dispensing system provesto be a hit with patients
Pharmacy, said: “It'sproven to be a very goodsystem. Patients like itbecause it's veryconvenient for them -and it's helping us to bemore efficient in makingsure that we havepatients' medicationsready for them quicklywhen they come in.”
To find out more aboutthe 'repeat dispensing'system contact your localGP or Pharmacist
Canley Community Regeneration Forum is calling onall Canley residents to come along to the 'All AboutHealth' meeting and have your say about healthservices. Meet the people who will make sure yourviews are used to improve health services in Canley.
The 'All About Health' forum meeting will take placeat Charter Primary School, Mitchell Avenue on:Saturday 21st March 2009 from 10am - noon
For more information about Canley RegenerationProgramme and the Canley CommunityRegeneration Forum [email protected] or call 024 76832759.
A healthy date for your diary!
L-R Pradeep Duggal, Pharmacist andMr and Mrs Lambert
The way we live in today's society means alot of us, especially our kids, have falleninto unhelpful habits. This means all of usneed to make small changes to eat well,move more, and live longer.
These days, 'modern life' can mean that we're a lotless active. With so many opportunities to watch TV orplay computer games, and with so much convenienceand fast food available, we don't move about asmuch, or eat as well as we used to. This combinationmeans that nine out of ten kids today could grow upwith dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies. Thiscan cause life-threatening diseases like cancer, Type 2Diabetes and heart disease - so it's really importantthat action is taken.
The costs of poor health to the taxpayer are significant.Obesity and overweight people are forecast to cost thenation £50 billion - half the entire NHS budget for ayear - by 2050 if the trend continues unchecked.
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4 ways to Change4life5-A-DAY - Fruit and vegetables are packedwith essential vitamins minerals and fibrewhich may help reduce the risk of diseases likecancer and heart disease. So it's important forkids to eat a variety of at least five portions offruit and vegetables every day.
Smaller-sized meals - Kids often like to betreated like grown ups, before they've reallygrown up. This can also be true when it comesto mealtimes, when kids often end up with thesame amount of food on their plates as grownups. But when they eat more than their bodiesneed, it converts to stored fat in their bodies.So many families are making a conscious effortto serve kids kid-sized portions.
Snack check - Most people snack more thanthey realise. Many snacks can be high in sugar,fat, calories, salt and all the things weshouldn't eat too much of. Many families findthat setting a limit on snacks and treats is agreat way of keeping a lid on their kids'snacking.
60 active minutes - Active kids are happy kids- they like to be up and about, running aroundand having fun. In this modern world they'vegot other things to do and plenty of reasonsnot to go outside and play or run around. Infact, kids need to do at least 60 minutes ofphysical activity that gets their heart beatingfaster than usual.
Change4life is a new NHS campaign incouraging families to take their first step towardsa better, fitter and longer life. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life or call 0300 1234567 whereyou can complte a short survey and receive a personalied action plan full of handy tipsand hints.
'Got It' site to beatChlamydia infection
You can visit the site to find outinformation on:
• What is Chlamydia
• Who can be screened
• How to get tested
• How to request a postal kit
• How to find your local screening
venue
Chlamydia is one of the fastest growing sexuallytransmitted infections in the UK, with around onein ten young people testing positive for it nationally- and up to 14 per cent in Coventry. Chlamydia canbe treated, but it often has no symptoms in eithermen or women, so remains undetected.
Dr Caron Grainger, Joint Director of Public Healthfor NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said:
Don't delay your smear test today!
“We are determined to reduce the number of youngpeople becoming infected by Chlamydia inCoventry. The launch of the new website will playan important part in our efforts to tackle thisdisease.”
People that request a postal kit receive a pack thatcontains easy-to-use instructions on how to take theChlamydia test. Testing is quick and easy. Forfemales it involves taking a vaginal swab or urinesample and, for males, a urine sample. There are anumber of ways to receive the test results, thediscreet method of a text message being the mostpopular. Since NHS Coventry started the GOT IT?programme twelve months ago there has been asignificantly higher rate of people testing positive,with more than double the number of people takingthe test compared to a year ago.
Visit the new Got It site at www.got-it.org.ukYou can also request a Chlamydia test kit bysending a text message to Got it? includingyour postcode to 07917651746 or [email protected]
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A new website site is available for young people to request a free and
confidential home test kit to screen for the most common sexually
transmitted infection - Chlamydia.
Women in Coventry aged between 25 and 60 are beingencouraged to attend their routine smear test to helpdetect any early signs of problems. The test involvestaking a sample of cells from the cervix which are thentested to check for abnormalities. Your GP shouldcontact you at least every five years and invite you toattend a cervical screening test.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer inyoung women in the West Midlands. About 4.4 million
women are invited for cervical screening each year inEngland.
The test is a very simple and takes about five minutes and isa pain free experience for nearly all women. Most womenhave normal results and will not need another test until 3-5years.
For advice about a smear test speak to your PracticeNurse or GP alternatively visit www.pants.nhs.uk forinformation.
Get help and support to stop smoking - it's never too late! • Get help and support to stop smoking - it's never too late! •
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There's never been a bettertime to stop smoking
Smokers are being urged to contactCoventry's Stop Smoking Service to helpimprove both their health and bankbalance. The service believes peoplestruggling to make ends meet during the“credit crunch” will especially benefit fromthe help on hand.
The stark reality is that, according to research by theNHS, a 20-a-day smoker would spend more than£37,000 over the next 20 years feeding theiraddiction.
Natalie Hinsley, Tobacco Control and Stop SmokingServices Manager at NHS Coventry, said: “Smokingcan be a very expensive habit and there may bepeople who are looking at ways of trimming theirexpenditure - and know that smoking can be adrain on their finances.
“Research has shown that you are up to four timesmore likely to successfully go smokefree if you useone of the free NHS support services and usemedication like patches or gum to help cope withyour cravings.” One former smoker - 61-year-oldPravin Tanna - has told how his quality of life hassoared since he quit smoking with vital assistancefrom Coventry Stop Smoking Service.
Mr Tanna, aged 61, had been a heavy smoker for 45years but knew he had to take drastic action to quit as hishealth started to deteriorate.
His GP advised him to seek help at Coventry's StopSmoking Service - and once Mr Tanna made contact hemade the major breakthrough that seemed impossiblejust a few years ago.
Now the former shopkeeper hasn't smoked for two years.
Mr Tanna had previously tried to give up smoking a fewtimes, and in 2001 he managed to stay off them for 18months. But as personal problems mounted his smokingescalated. “My wife died 19 years ago and that was avery sad time. I would get lonely and depressed andsmoke a lot,” added Mr Tanna. “I would easily getthrough 25 cigarettes a day.”
Mr Tanna, now single, also found his smoking increasedduring other troubled moments in his life such as whenhis second marriage collapsed and his shop - which alsohappened to sell tobacco - endured difficulties. Hestopped running the business last year due to ill healthbrought on by Emphysema, the lung condition whichleaves sufferers struggling for breath.
But now he does think he's making progress and he hasrecently treated himself to a £8,000 VW Golf. He believesthe £4,000 he has saved from quitting smoking has paid50 per cent of the car's value.
Mr Tanna's journey to becoming smoke free started afterhis first visit to the Stop Smoking Clinic at LongfordPrimary Care Centre. He attended help sessions thereonce a week for six months and was also given nicotinepatches to help him kick the habit.
“I owe Coventry Stop Smoking Service so much,”stressed Mr Tanna. “Without their fantastic help I don'tthink I would ever have stopped. I hope other people takeadvantage of this great service.”
Mr Pravin Tanna
Support for pregnant women whosmoke and want to stop will beable to get help and supportfrom a new Pregnancy Co-ordinator who will be joiningthe Stop Smoking Servicesoon.
Smoking during pregnancy can causeserious problems includingcomplications during labour,increased risk of miscarriage,premature birth and even stillbirth.
Health risks to babies if you smokewhilst pregnant include lower birthweight and weakness, slower growthof your baby, higher chance of cot deathand damage to airways which could causebreathing problems or asthma.
Pregnant smokers to get top priority
The Coventry Stop Smoking Serviceoffers help and support to stopsmoking at drop-in centres at:
Coventry and Warwickshire HospitalStoney Stanton Road
Wood End Family Project24b Bretford Road, Wood End
Henley Green Community CentreWyken Croft, Henley Green
Stoke Aldermoor One-Stop ShopBarley Lea House, Stoke Aldermoor
Longford Primary Care Centre152 Longford Road, Longford
Tile Hill Primary Care CentreJardine Crescent, Tile Hill
Radford Children's Centre,Lawrence Saunders Road, Radford
Jubilee Community CentreJubilee Crescent, Radford
Contact Coventry Stop Smoking Service onfreephone 0800 0511310 or visitwww.coventrystopsmoking.nhs.uk fordetails of times and dates
Get help to stop smoking Coventry residents can access a newfreephone telephone number to stopsmoking. A major advertisingcampaign has been launched acrossthe city to promote National NoSmoking Day this month and raiseawareness of Coventry's StopSmoking service available to anyone inCoventry who wants to stop smoking.
The number 0800 051 1310 is free to anyonecalling from a landline, you can also text'STOP' to 07967038456 and the service willcall you back or visitwww.coventrystopsmoking.nhs.uk for moreinformation.
Coventry Stop Smoking Service
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• Get help and support to stop smoking - it's never too late! • Get help and support to stop smoking - it's never too late!
Time to step up to the stair challengeKeen mountaineerGeorge Demidowiczhas found the idealway of keeping fitby speeding upfifteen flights ofstairs during hislunch break!
To keep himself trimGeorge runs up thefifteen flights - that's 300steps - in around 90seconds at Coventry CityCouncil's Tower Block,where he works in thelocal authority'sConservation andArchaeology Team. Hehas also persuaded someof his work colleagues tojoin him.
The noble feat hasinspired the Council andNHS Coventry to launch a
'Stair Challenge' toencourage its employees,as well as city residents,to walk 10,000 steps aday. Organiser EstherHigdon, from CoventryCity Council, said: “Formany people half thewaking hours are spent atwork and many of ourjobs involve long periodsof sitting at a desk. Butbuilding active habits intoour daily life can help usthink better, cope withstress, burn calories,reduce blood pressure orback pain and lessen riskof more serious medicalconditions such as heartdisease or diabetes.
“Adults arerecommended to aim towalk 10,000 steps perday. One way tocontribute to this target isto climb stairs at work orout shopping look for the
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stairs rather than waitingfor a lift or using anescalator.”
Anyone up for thechallenge is also invited tovisit the Reception desk atCivic Centre 4, LittleMuch Park Street, CV12PY (Opening hoursMonday-Friday 9am-5pm), to register and thefirst 100 to do so willreceive a free pedometer.
So how does thestair climbingchallenge work?
“First you will need tohave an idea of howmany flights of stairs youcan realistically climb in aweek,” adds Esther. “Thisway you can work outyour own weekly goaland then challengeyourself.
“Count and record howmany steps you climbeach day for seven days.
This is your 'baseline'week. What is the highestnumber of stairs youclimbed on any one day -this is your daily stepstarget. Try to aim tocomplete this many stepsevery day and build upslowly from this numberas your challenge.”
Meanwhile, GeorgeDemidowicz hopes will bebitten by the stairclimbing bug. “I've beendoing it for more thantwo years and it's a greatway of keeping fit andlosing weight. There's nosubscription fee involvednor any need for specialistequipment - and it's allover in a few minutes.”
George Demidowicz and colleagues
George Demidowicz
Coventry and WarwickshireNHS Partnership Trust isasking for 8,000 people tobecome members of theorganisation as part of itsmove towards FoundationTrust status.
The Trust provides mental health, substance misuseand learning disability services across the whole ofCoventry and Warwickshire. The Trust is appealingto people from all walks of life - from mums andcarers to business leaders - to be part of its futureand make a difference to the way its services aredelivered.
Trust Chief Executive Sandy Taylor explained: "Webelieve achieving Foundation status will bring hugebenefits to local health care ... but to achieve this,the Trust has to show strong relationship with localorganisations and members of the community.
“Mental health problems and learning disabilitiescan touch everyone's lives at some point and wewould urge the people of Coventry andWarwickshire to support us in this important step."
There's still time to sign up and'make a difference' in Coventry
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It's easy to become a member. More than 6,000 peoplehave already taken up the opportunity, but more are stillneeded. Trust membership is open to anyone aged 14years and over who lives in Coventry and Warwickshire,or who lives outside the area and has an interest inmental health, learning disabilities and substance misuseservices.
To find out more about becoming a member of the Trust,about the Trust's application for Foundation Trust andabout its anti-stigma campaign, visit the Trust website atwww.covwarkpt.nhs.uk
People in eight Coventry neighbourhoods can access health and lifestylesupport thanks to a new NHS scheme.
NHS Health Trainers are a team of specialised staff who are based in thecommunity offering tailored advice, practical support and motivation toindividuals who require support in making lifestyle changes. Currently,there are eight health trainers based in Canley, Foleshill, Gosford Park,Hillfields, Radford, Willenhall and Wood End.
Community clinicians and individuals themselves can refer into theHealth Trainer Service. Individuals must be 16 and over, wanting to makea healthy lifestyle change and/or needing motivation and extra supporton how to make healthier lifestyle changes happen. A Health Trainer willspend time with individuals to support them in making small butsignificant changes with respect to healthy eating, being more active,weight management, stopping smoking and drinking more sensibly.
For more information about how to join contact your local GP oremail [email protected]
Health Trainers offer:
Healthy lifestyle advice & guidance
Encouragement & motivation to make yourown Personal Health Plan work for you
Approachable staff, available at times andplaces to suit you
Local service for local people
Time: up to six one to one sessions withyour own health trainer
Helping you to become your own healthtrainer
Health trainers in the city
Sandy TaylorChief Executive at Coventry andWarwickshire Partnership Trust
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Sleep safe, sleep sound, share aroom with meThe safest place for your baby to sleepduring the night and day is in a crib or acot and in a room with you for the firstsix months. It's very dangerous to sleeptogether with a baby on a sofa,armchair or settee and it is also risky tosleep a baby alone in an adult bed.
It's especially dangerous for your baby tosleep in your bed:
If you (or your partner): • are a smoker (even if you never smoke in
bed or at home) • have been drinking alcohol • take medication or drugs that make you
drowsy • feel very tired
Or if your baby • was premature (born before 37 weeks) • was low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 5
1/2 lb)
Don't forget, accidents can happen too:• you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your
baby • your baby could get caught between the wall and
the bed • your baby could roll out of your bed and be injured
If you have any questions about this advice, or areworried, call the Foundation for theStudy of Infant Deaths helpline on 0207233 2090 or visit www.fsid.org.uk
Babies don't need hot rooms Babies don't need especially warmrooms. All-night heating is rarelynecessary. Babies should never sleepnext to a radiator or in directsunlight. To check if your baby istoo hot, look for sweating or feelyour baby - don't worry if his/herhands or feet are cool; that'snormal. If the baby is too hot,remove one or more layers of blankets. Babies who areunwell need fewer - not more - bedclothes.
BreastfeedingBreast milk is the ideal food for a baby. It is nutritionallybalanced, with the perfect amount of proteins,carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and iron to help the babyto grow. It contains antibodies that help to protect yourbaby from infection, and changes to suit the differentneeds of the baby as they grow.
For more information about breastfeeding contactyour local health visitor or midwife, alternatively
visit www.nhs.uk
The NHS in Coventry is reminding parents tofollow simple advice to keep their babies safe.
Stroke victim JudithBanyard has told how agroundbreaking drug hashelped her make almost acomplete recovery fromher devastating attack.
Keep-fit fanatic Judith,aged 64, has trained inthe gym up to four timesa week for the last 20years, never smoked,eaten healthily, swamregularly and drank onlymodest amounts ofalcohol. So it came as anenormous shock to familyand friends when Judithsuffered a severe strokeat her kitchen tableJanuary last year.
Judith explains: “I satdown for lunch and feltabsolutely terrible. It soonbecame apparent I had
no feeling on the left sideof my body. I had no ideawhat was happening. Itwas all so sudden.
Fortunately my husbandJohn was at home and hedialled 999 immediately.We were both extremelyscared.”
Judith was taken byambulance to UniversityHospital where, after ascan, she was deemedsuitable to be the firstpatient there to be treatedwith the rapid clot-bustingdrug Thrombolysis - apioneering treatment thatcan reduce the area of thebrain affected by thestroke and can improveoutcomes considerably. The drug is designed todisperse the clot that is
Judith is on theroad to recovery
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Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in England. The Departmentof Health has launched a three-year campaign to promote public awareness around strokes the key message of FAST- Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999. FAST is seen as a simple test to help people recognise the signs of stroke andunderstand the importance of fast emergency treatment.
FAST is used by paramedics to assess three specific symptoms of stroke prior to a person being admitted to hospital.
The term 'stroke' describes a loss of brain function due to a blood clot or bleed in the brain. An estimated 150,000people have a stroke in the UK each year.
Act FAST and dial 999 for stroke victims
causing the stroke in theblood vessels. It hasproven to be effective inboth clinical studies androutine practice atimproving survival ratesand reducing disability.
Now a year after theattack Judith is almostback to full-strength. Sheenjoys regular workoutswith the aid of a personalfitness instructor and isswimming again. “I stillget very tired,” admitsJudith. “I can walk abouta mile before I need a rest.But that is typical for up totwo years after a stroke.Loving support fromhusband John, a 64-year-old civil engineer, daughterHelen, 36, and sonRichard, 34, has helped
Judith's near completerecovery.
The Acute StrokeThrombolysis Service atUniversity HospitalCoventry andWarwickshire (UHCW) waslaunched just over a yearago and, so far, more than360 patients fromthroughout Coventry andWarwickshire have beenadmitted to its unit onWard 43.
Judith Banyard
NHS Coventry hasunveiled excitingplans to build a newmulti million poundhealth facility in thecity centre.The new health facility willhouse a number of GPpractices, the city's Walk inCentre, GP Out of Hoursservice and a wide range ofcommunity and city-wideservices currently based onthe Coventry andWarwickshire Hospital siteas well as a pharmacy,community café and spacefor a range of clinics andservices.
The five storey, 9000m2health centre will be basedon the site of the currentHillfields Health Centre andRussell Street car park.Pending planning approval,
Exciting plans to build a new£20m city centre health facility
work is scheduled to starton site in late 2009 andwill be open by the winterof 2011. It will be servedby excellent transport links,with regular bussesrunning past the site fromPool Meadow.NHS Coventry Joint ChiefExecutive, Mike Attwood,said: “This new facility willprovide the opportunity forNHS staff from differentdisciplines to worktogether to provide firstclass services, from firstclass premises, to allmembers of the localcommunity. We aredelighted to now be in aposition to move this longawaited project forward.
The project is beingdelivered by Coventry CarePartnership through a LocalImprovement Finance Trust(LIFT) partnership approach
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- a private and publicpartnership workingtogether to build patient-focused primary carefacilities for the twenty-first century.
George Marsh, Chairmanof Coventry CarePartnership, which has alsodelivered high qualityhealth centres at Keresleyand Longford, said: “Thisproject is an excellentexample of the work theLIFT model is able todeliver. By bringingtogether all of the variousexpertise from both thepublic and private sectorwe will be able to give thepeople of Coventry abuilding that they can beproud of.”
The health centre will bekey to the ongoingdelivery of the Swanswell
Initiative, the biggest singleregeneration project inCoventry. It covers morethan 160 acres, and aimsto provide new and betterhomes, job opportunitiesand community and healthfacilities, as well aseducational, transport andenvironmentalimprovements.
Dr Andy Beaumont is oneof the GPs from theHillfields Health Centre dueto relocate to the newbuilding. He said: “It willbe exciting for thepopulation of centralCoventry to be part of thismajor redevelopment. It isfitting that investment inhealth and education hasbeen placed in the heart ofHillfields, with first classmedical facilities matchedto first class primary care.”
City Centre Launch
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Patients living, working or visitingCoventry will soon find it eveneasier to see a GP or nurse if theyneed one when a new GP-ledHealth Centre opens in Coventry.
The new GP-led health centre will be based alongsidethe existing NHS Walk-in Centre on Stoney StantonRoad, it is scheduled to open in April.
Patients will be able to see a doctor at the new Centrefrom 8am-10pm seven days a week, with or withoutan appointment and patients will not have to beregistered in order to be seen. Patients who do want
More patients than ever before in Coventry are being offered the chance to makeappointments with their GP practice at a time to suit them.
Extended Hours at GP surgeries
New GP-Led Health Centre
Thirty two GP practicesacross Coventry haveintroduced longeropening hours as part ofthe national ExtendedAccess programme whichaims to improve people'shealth by making it easierfor all patients to see aGP.
This means that almost210,000 patientsregistered at Coventry GPpractices now have theopportunity to book earlymorning, evening orSaturday appointments.
Juliet Hancox, AssistantDirector of Primary Careat NHS Coventry said:“we are absolutelycommitted to offeringeveryone in the city thechance to see their GP ata time that fits in withmodern life. Having thechance to make anappointment before or
after work, or on aSaturday can make lifeeasier for many patients.
Dr Dosanjh, at JubileeHealth Centre and BroadStreet Practice in Coventrysaid: “Saturday surgeriesare extremely beneficialfor patients, it avoidspatients having to go toA&E or the Walk-In centreas the GP knows thepatient and has access tothe patient's full medicalhistory, improvingcontinuity of care. My aimis to have our surgery,eventually, to be openseven days a week from7am to midnight but thatis a work in progress.”
The extra appointmentslots available will befocused on providingroutine GP appointmentsto help patients who havefound it difficult to visittheir doctor during
normal working hours.Participating GP practiceshave chosen to add extraappointment slots attimes that will suit theirpatients.
If patients need an urgentappointment with a GP
outside of normalworking hours theyshould still continue touse NHS Coventry's out-of-hours service which isavailable for all patientsregistered with a GP inCoventry.
to register with the GPs at the new city centre practicecan do so regardless of where they live in the city.
The new Centre is in addition to and will complementexisting GP surgeries and is designed to offer patientsmore choice and greater access to family doctors. Theexisting nurse led walk in centre currently operatingwill be incorporated into the new GP service.
The provider of the new service is Assura Coventry,which is a partnership between nine GP practices inthe Coventry area and Assura, a leading health careorganisation. It was set up to deliver a wide range ofNHS services offering more choice to patients in thecommunity.
Coventry residents inthree of the city'sneighbourhoods willsoon have no excuseto avoid a trip to thedentist.The Bhandal Dental Group has beenawarded contracts to run three newdental practices in Tile Hill, StokeAldermoor and Wood End.
Through opening these practiceswith Bhandal Dental Group, NHSCoventry hopes to encourage localresidents that do not currently havea regular NHS dentist to takeadvantage of the new dentalservices that will be available tothem.
Stephen Jones, Joint Chief Executiveat NHS Coventry said: “This is great
news for people in the city, havingadditional dental services isimportant in making sure thateverybody has equal access to NHSdental treatment. We hope peoplewill take advantage of the extendedcapacity and we especiallyencourage parents to take theirchildren for a regular check-up.”
Bhandal Dental Group alreadysuccessfully runs two other practicesin the city centre, Bulkington andmany others across the WestMidlands.
Amrik Bhandal, at Bhandal DentalPractice, said: “We are excited tohave been chosen to provide thesenew dental services and aim toprovide a local service for a localcommunity. We are a family runbusiness with over 20 yearsexperience in proving high qualityNHS dentistry in friendly, modern
surroundings, ensuring patientsreceive a positive experience ofvisiting the dentist.”
“We aim to provide a child friendlyservice offering sedation for anxiousor nervous patients. We are able tooffer appointments to suit everyonewe also work evenings andweekends to make sure patients arereceiving services at a time that suitsthem.
The new practices are due to openin April 09. If you would like to bekept informed on the availability ofappointments at these practices orbe kept updated as to when youcan book appointments please sendyour details to Bhandal DentalPractice, 298 A-C Foleshill Road,Coventry CV6 5AH, call 02476 686690 or [email protected]
Coventry to get three newNHS dental surgeries
Helpful dental tipsTooth brushing:• Clean the teeth, gums and tongue thoroughly twice every day
using a small-headed, soft/medium textured toothbrush andfluoride toothpaste.
• A pea- sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used byyoung children and just a smear for babies.
• Children 7 years and under should always be supervised andphysically helped by an adult when tooth brushing.
• Encourage children to spit out after brushing rather thanrinsing with lots of water.
Visiting the dentist:• Everyone should have their mouth checked at least once a year.
• As an introduction babies can be taken to the dentist as part ofthe family visit.
• Check with your own dentist when the best time would be tobook your child in for their first dental check up.
• Children under 18yrs do not have to pay NHS dental charges!
Find your nearest accepting dentist: www.coventrypct.nhs.uk
The Oral Health Promotion Team: 024 76507956 or visit theBritish dental health foundation: http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk16 Amrik Bhandal, Bhandal Dental Practice
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NHS Coventry hasawarded the extra cash sothat local dentists can doeven more preventativework, using the latesttechniques - and, as aresult, children shouldhave fewer teeth takenout and fewer fillings.Sixteen of the 33 existingNHS dental practices inCoventry have signed upto expanding theircapacity, with a focusupon preventative workfor children.
£1.5 million cash injection tohelp Coventry dentists
“The added investmentmeans that we cancontinue to make surethat anyone in Coventrywho needs an NHSdentist can find one easily- and it will play a key rolein improving the dentalhealth of our localcommunities, particularlychildren.
Alison Walsh Director ofPlanning andPerformance at NHSCoventry said: “We
encourage parents takingtheir children for a check-up to ask their dentistabout using fluoridevarnishes or fissuresealants, both of whichare techniques to preventdecay getting through totheir teeth.”
More than 20 dentalpractices across Coventryare currently taking onnew NHS patients - andNHS Coventry runs ahelpline for anyone who
would like assistance tofind a dentist. Patientscan call the helpline on02476 246 033 and leavea message. Themessages are checkedregularly and all calls arereturned.
Local people can alsocheck for themselveswhere their nearestNHS dentist is by usingthe NHS Choiceswebsite atwww.nhs.uk
Dental practices across Coventry are 'opening wide' to treat newpatients and carry out more work to stop youngsters from developingtooth decay - thanks to over £1.5 million extra investment.
You can now choose to betreated in just about any NHShospital across England andmany private hospitals, too - allon the NHS and with no cost toyourself. The NHS may even beable to help you with yourtransport costs.
You can choose the hospital with thebest reputation or shortest waitingtimes, or simply the one that is mostconvenient for youIf you are considering using andifferent hospital and would like someinformation and advice, ask your GPor contact the NHS Coventry Chooseand Book Team on 02476 246 157 orvisit www.nhs.uk
Whatever your reason…it's your choice
Nearly 42,000 patients tookadvantage of having their bloodtests at local neighbourhoodclinics during the first ninemonths of a new service launchedby NHS Coventry.
Patients used to have to go to Coventryand Warwickshire Hospital in StoneyStanton Road or University Hospital,Walsgrave, if their doctor sent them for ablood test.
But, since the end of January 2008, theyhave also been able to choose theconvenience of attending one of a networkof community clinics, based in GP surgeries,health centres, and pharmacies, across thecity.
“The sheer number of people using thisnew community phlebotomy servicedemonstrates how popular it is - and weare pleased to be able to fulfil this need,”said Mike Attwood, Joint Chief Executive atNHS Coventry. The network of communityclinics was set up in response to a majorpublic involvement exercise, in whichpatients said they wanted clinics closer totheir home. NHS Coventry was one of thefirst cities in the UK to introduce thisinnovative service. A total of 18 communityclinics for blood tests are now availablethroughout Coventry, which are held on aweekday morning for three hours at eachlocation. Blood samples are collected, takento a laboratory for analysis - and results aresent electronically to each patient's GP.
A range of drop-in or bookableappointments are available and details ofwhat clinics are run in each area areavailable in GP surgeries. People can alsovisit www.coventrypct.nhs.uk and check bypostcode in the local services section tofind out their nearest clinic.
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New bloodservice is awinner!
Health workers want women in Coventry to bealert to the risks posed by Sickle Cell andThalassaemia during pregnancy. Both areinherited conditions that affect Haemoglobin(Hb), the oxygen-carrying substance that givesblood its red colour.Coventry Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Services, which is based atCoventry and Warwickshire Hospital, provide high qualityscreening and care to support people to make informed choicesduring pregnancy and before conception, improve infant healththrough prompt identification of affected babies, promotegreater understanding and awareness of the disorders and valueof screening.
Both disorders are usually found among people of African,African/Caribbean, Asian and Mediterranean origin, but can befound in people of most racial groups.
Lindsay Randall, Clinical Nurse Specialist for HaemoglobinDisorders at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, says: “Weaccept referrals from all health professionals and members of thepublic can also contact us direct to make an appointment. Wefollow the National Antenatal and Neonatal screeningprogramme, offering appointments to all those found to becarriers of unusual Haemoglobin. We also offer family testing tothose who want it.
“Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell disorders are the result of a couplethat are both carriers of unusual Haemoglobin having a child.They have a one in four chance with every pregnancy that thechild could inherit a serious blood disorder.”
Sickle Cell disorder is where some of the red cells are shaped likesickles. These cells do not carry oxygen, as normal red cells do.External conditions such as cold, dehydration, stress and infectioncan cause a Sickle Cell crisis. It can occur in any part of the bodyand at times can be life-threatening.
For more information contact the service on:O24 7624 6726
Be alert of the risksposed by Sickle Celland Thalasseamia
The grant from NHS Coventrywill be used to recruit a parttime Volunteer Coordinator forthe next year and will help CSBto carry on offering socialgroups informal IT sessions at itsresource centre in Earlsdon forthe next year.
At the same time, a Steering Groupmade up service users andvolunteers has been set up, with theaim of developing the capacity totake on running and responsibilityfor the resource centre from 2010.
Peter Cheer from the CoventrySociety for the Blind steering group,said: “We're delighted that NHSCoventry has agreed to make thisgrant, which will help see us throughthe next year. Combined with thefact that a group of service usersand volunteers has come together towork on a longer term solution, thisis also really good news.”
Stephen Jones, Joint Chief Executiveof NHS Coventry, which waspreviously called the Coventry
Cash boost forCoventry Societyfor the blind
Teaching Primary Care Trust, said“NHS Coventry is pleased to havebeen able to support thedevelopment of the capacity of thelocal voluntary sector in this way. Itwill also be very useful to be able toconsult more effectively with peoplewho have a visual impairment onissues related to health andhealthcare services.”
DO YOU LOOK AFTERSOMEONE?Someone who is ill, disabled or frail and could notmanage without your help?Contact us for information, advice and support
OUR SERVICE IS FREE & CONFIDENTIALCoventry Carers’ Centre3 City ArcadeCoventry CV1 3HX024 7663 [email protected]
Coventry Society for the Blind (CSB) has received amuch needed cash boost in the form of a grant of£13,500 from NHS Coventry.
Reading large amounts of text onscreen can be difficult for those withliteracy and visual impairments.
NHS Coventry has introduced a newservice to help people with readingdifficulties access local health serviceinformation.
This means that people visiting the primarycare trust’s website can now listen to thecontent being read aloud to them using aproduct called BrowseAloud.
The product is designed to improve accessto the website for people with mild visualimpairments, dyslexia, low literacy levelsand for people who don’t speak English astheir first language.
The software can simply be downloadedfor free from the NHS Coventry website atwww.coventrypct.nhs.uk. Once installed,users listen to sections of text being readaloud which can be customised to suit theuser’s needs; patient information leaflets orBoard papers can also be read aloud orsaved as MP3 files. There is also an optionto see the words that are being spoken ina larger size at the top of the screen, agreat feature for those with mild visualimpairments.
BrowseAloud is free of charge to usersand once installed, it will workautomatically whenever users visit thewebsite, as well as on other BrowseAloud-enabled sites.
Browsealoud…Improving accessto healthcareinformation
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS GUIDE TO GETTINGTHE RIGHT TREATMENT
Here's some information to help you get the right treatment, in theright place, at the right time.
Self-careBe prepared - check your medicine cabinet and make sure you have a supply of basic first aid andremedies (but keep them out of the reach of children). For example have plasters, antiseptic creamsand painkillers. Make sure you collect your repeat prescriptions in time, especially at holiday timessuch as Christmas and Easter.
PharmaciesVisiting your GP is not always the answer when you feel unwell. If you have a cold, flu or a sorethroat then a trip to your local pharmacy will be more helpful to get you on the road to recovery.
Many pharmacies offer a range of services, such as blood pressure monitoring, diabetes testing andadvice on quitting smoking. You can also make an appointment for a free medicines managementreview which is an opportunity to discuss any problems you are having and ask questions.
Dental careIf you need dental treatment you can find your nearest dentist by calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.You can also find out which dentists are taking on NHS patients by visiting www.coventrypct.nhs.ukor calling 024 7624 6033 from 9am-5pm. For out of hours emergency dental help,call 01926 888 026.
Your local GPIf you feel your pharmacist can't help with a problem, your GP can give you advice on healthproblems and offers a full range of healthcare. This includes screening, family planning,examinations and vaccinations. If it's necessary, they will refer you to other health professionals andsocial services.
GP practices should offer you a consultation within 48 hours or the opportunity to book anappointment further ahead if you prefer. To find your nearest GP practice and its opening hours, goto www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
If you require GP care or advice out of hours the Coventry out of hours service can be reached bycalling 01926 888 026.
NHS Walk-in CentreIf you have a minor illness or an injury, such as a strain, bite or infected wound, you can avoid a visitto Accident & Emergency (A&E) by going to the NHS Walk-in Centre. You don't have to make anappointment and you'll be treated by a nurse. The Walk-in Centre in Coventry is open from 10amto 8pm on weekdays and 7am-10pm on weekends and Bank Holidays. It is based on the Coventryand Warwickshire Hospital site in Stoney Stanton Road.
Accident and Emergency (A&E)If you or someone else has a major health emergency, such as severe breathing difficulties or loss ofblood, suspected broken bones, burns/scalds, deep wounds or unconsciousness, then go to yournearest A&E, or call 999 for an emergency ambulance. The A&E department in Coventry is based atUniversity Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road, Walsgrave.
