£2Free to

Members

Here to helpAffiliated to the British Heart Foundation and

Arrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity

Poole Community Health Centre Shaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NTTelephone: 01202 683363 ext. 133

Telephone manned Mondays and Thursdays: 1:30-3:30pmwww.poolehsg.org.uk

POOLE HEART SUPPORT GROUP MAGAZINEPoole Community Health Centre Shaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT

Telephone: 01202 683363 ext. 133Telephone manned Mondays and Thursdays: 1:30-3:30pm

www.poolehsg.org.uk

PRESIDENT: Dr. ANDREW MCLEOD Vice Presidents:Dr CHRISTOPHER BOOS MBBS, Dip IMC, RCS (Ed), MD, FRCP, RAMC.Dr. DIANE BRUCE MB, Bsc (Hons), FRCPROBERT PAYNE RGN, RHV, Bsc (Hons), PG Dip PGCEMAGGIE RICHARDSON : JIM WAINE : GEOFFREY WALKER OBE, JP, MA, RGN

PHSG COMMITTEEKEITH MATTHEWS Chairman 01202 855001DAVID ANDERSON Secretary 01202 697376RITA HOLMES Treasurer 01202 743960GEORGE LLEWELLYN Social Events 01202 605455JAN MESHER Office Manager 01202 250108DEREK POPE Database 01202 889070ROBIN PRINGLE Exercise Coord 01202 884250ROGER RIDOUT Purbeck Liaison 01929 423079GEOFF LAWRENCE Member 01202 888438JOHN OFFER Member 01202 386674GEORGE WILKINSON Member 01202 740374PAM BAILEY BHF Rep. 01202 574944LESLEY BRADSHAW Co-opted 01202 691339

If you know a member who is ill, please tell us by contactingMavis Terry, Welfare Support, on 01202 874760

OTHER CONTACTSJOHN DEFTY Chat Stops 01202 760350CYRIL MARTIN Walking Group 01202 733956DAVID ANDERSON Website 01202 697376JIM WAINE Founder and VP 01202 871532

Please send magazine articles and photos to:Editor, 10 Hill View Road, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9QY or by

Tel. 01202 855001Magazines are published 1st March, 1st June, 1st September and 1st December.

Print Deadlines are 10th February, 10th May, 10th August, 10th November

COVER PICTURE: Swanage Amphitheatre 2004 Brenda Ridout

(Email addresses have been removed as we are receiving SPAM messages)

3 PHSG Magazine

Chairman’s Letter

Keith

Maybe its because I’m getting to be a grumpy old git, well whynot, I’ve worked for it. However, I find myself getting increasinglyintolerant of some modern newspaper headlines.In January a story hit the headlines from a massive CambridgeUniversity Study conducted over 12 years by the Medical ResearchCouncil’s Epidemiology Unit. This says that although obesity isdangerous, a sedentary lifestyle is just as bad and all the punditsleapt on it to tell us to take 20 minutes exercise. Well, I am infavour of scientific rigour, and the study has more data than that,but really . . . it doesn’t take a genius to suggest that obesity and

sedentary lifestyle are linked anyway. To those of us in PHSG the benefits of exercisehave long been known. But here we have a massive study with loads of data collectionover years which, as far as the newspapers are concerned, “states the bleedin’ obvious”.Give me strength - literally!Just take heart (sic) that if you are exercising with PHSG, you are doing the right thing.

You can always call the Office !

You can always call the officeWe’re a happy little bunch.On a Monday or a Thursday,We’re there just after lunch.

If you need some information,Exercise or walking club,(Cyril says they rambleand then end up at the pub!).

We distribute magazinesand sign in each new member.We are on the go all the timefrom January to December

Jan MesherPHSG Office Co-ordinator.

Volunteers wantedto help in our P.H.S.G.Office for only 2 hours amonth.

01202 683363 Ext 133Manned 1.30 - 3.30pmMondays & Thursdays

Computer skills not needed.Full training given

PHSG Magazine 4

from Poole Hospital NHS Foundation TrustMedicine and Cardiology News

Dear Friends,I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. As you canimagine it has been a very challenging time over the winter so faras you will all be aware with the media coverage of ED(Emergency Department) waiting times and targets. I myselftogether with the medical director of emergency services had theopportunity to speak about this on BBC South Today in January.It has however been equally busy in all areas of the Hospital. In Medicine we are sustainingan additional 15 beds on wards in escalation, this out of a total of 63 beds normally. So quitean extra load for the staff to work with, but they are working admirably to ensure patientsafety, standards, quality and care remain the highest priority.Admission rates have been up and attendances at the ED department as well. I worked theweekend of the 27th and 28th December having just taken over nursing lead for ED andAnsty and it was the busiest weekend I have ever seen. Staff worked hard to see patients assoon as possible but never the less waits did occur. I was completely impressed by the hardwork and dedication of the ED and Ansty admissions unit staff. From the receptionists tothe nursing, medical and support staff all worked tirelessly to improve the patient journeyand care, and I am proud to add these areas to my portfolio.In the cardiology department we are more than happy with the new extension to the buildingand from now all the Quality Service Group meetings will be held there. Dr JP Carpenterhas agreed to be our link consultant for the group and we look forward to working with himin the future.The medical investigations unit is moving ever forward with new services all the time andwe are now looking at having some in-patient beds there, primarily to support our electivework to ensure patients come in in a timely manner. This will add to the already extensivenurse led services on MIU and be managed and supported by the staff there.Our Endoscopy department (also in my portfolio) has been re-furbished to a high standardand the staff are working to ensure this state of the art department continues to drive forwardin patient care and diagnostic treatment and delivery. We have a new self-check in servicewhich is working well and in March the unit is due to undertake bowel screening scope lists.There will be two simultaneous lists running which has never occurred before, and thedepartment will be open until 22.00, so real innovation in practice and time to allow patientsaccess later in the day.We are looking as a Trust towards 7 day working and as such matrons and managers havebeen trialling working weekends in January and February. This has proven to be extremelysupportive to the staff at weekends and it is now hoped this will become a permanentarrangement.

5 PHSG Magazine

Do you have computer problems?We can resolve your problems for you. Are you unsure whatyou are doing, do you need assistance, a helping hand ortraining? We can assist with home PC security, internetconnection problems, advice and installation of Broadband,PC networks and supply and/or installation of secure wirelessnetworks in your house. We undertake virus, spyware andad-ware removal and can supply or install security programsto make your PC safe. Is your old PC slow, is it worthupgrading? We provide impartial advice and can performupgrades or help with any new PC purchase and accessoryquotes. We supply new PCs, install, configure your system andcan transfer your existing data. Why not give us a call!

Contact Efficiency SolutionsJeff on 01202 855949 or Mobile 07736 275190

As you can see we never stand still and try to ensure we stay at the forefront of care deliveryall the times. I am looking forward to a busy and productive 2015 and a keeping you allinformed.Best wishes for 2015 and until next time keep healthy and happy.

Geoffrey Walker OBE JP MA RGNMatron Medicine, Cardiology and Specialist Nursing ServicesPoole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The thing with hi-tech is that you always end up using scissorsDavid HockneyDiplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice Doggie’ until you can find a brickWill RogersYou can learn many things from children. How much patience you have,for instance.Franklin Jones

PHSG Magazine 6

Gender Based DifferencesI have been asked to write something on the unenviable topicof gender differences in a cardiac presentations and outcomes.This is a huge and controversial topic and the findings areheavily influenced by the population and healthcare systembeing studied. Nevertheless, several well reported genderbased trends seem to remain so please ‘don’t shoot themessenger’. This issue of gender/sex-specific data incardiovascular disease (CVD) is of enormous importance,given that CVD has become the number 1 killer of both menand women. For women, mortality rates have not declined as dramatically as for men.It would appear that across many different CVD disease subtypes (eg coronary diseaseand heart failure) women tend to present at an older age than men and there appear tobe some subtle gender-related differences in their presentations which may influencetheir diagnosis, management and outcomes.The definition of symptoms, classically associated with heart disease, has been mainlybased on the characteristics of those reported in men. Chest pain or chest discomfortin women is often regarded as ‘atypical’ and these symptoms tend to be misdiagnosedand under-treated. Studies have shown that in patients presenting with acute coronarysyndromes (ACS, unstable chest pain episodes due to coronary artery disease andincludes patients with myocardial infarction i.e. heart attacks). Women tend to reportmore unusual symptoms such as indigestion, palpitations, nausea, numbness in thehands and fatigue than men adding to the diagnostic difficulty. Further, women areless likely to receive appropriate invasive and non-invasive investigations. They areless likely to refer for medical help and present later in the process of the CVD, withdelays in the start of effective treatment and receive less evidence-based therapy thanmen. Women presenting with ACS are typically more overweight and are more likelyto have a history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia or diabetes whereas men are morelikely to have a smoking history.These factors help to explain some of the gender differences in outcomes. Womenpresenting with acute myocardial infarction or even undergoing coronary arterystenting (PCI) have higher in-hospital mortality rates than men even after adjustingfor the fact that they are typically older and generally had less severe coronary diseaseat the time of presentation. Similarly for women undergoing coronary artery bypasssurgery both short term and longer term mortality has been noted to be higher inwomen than men. Awareness of these gender based differences is crucial to tacklingthese inequalities. Things are improving but we do have further inroads to make.Dr Christopher BoosConsultant Cardiologist, Poole Hospital NHS Trust

7 PHSG Magazine

Anybody can become angry - that is easy; but to be angry with the rightperson, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the rightpurpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody’s power andis not easy.Aristotle

Home May Feel Like the Safest Place - But it’s Not!Improvements in workplace safety mean thatmore people are now killed and injured athome, or while pursuing leisure activities, thanin car crashes and industrial accidents. “Thereality is that you’re more likely to die sortingout the Christmas lights than an electrician ison a building site,” said Dr Cliff Mann of theCollege of Emergency Medicine.NHS figures show that 25,000 children a yearattend A&E after being accidentally poisonedat home; 26,000 after being burned or scalded;and 4,200 after falling down stairs.Among adults, the most serious accidentsoften involve DIY. The use of chainsaws anddrills can lead to very severe injuries,” said DrMann. “Falling off a ladder is another risk. Some people who do that dieand some never work again.”

Is Wikipedia a good Doctor?GPs' appointments are often hard to come by, so people maybe tempted to look up their symptoms on Wikipedia instead.And there is research suggesting that as many as 70% ofdoctors and medical students regularly have recourse to it too,reports The Independent. But scientists have warned that theonline encyclopaedia contains multiple errors in most of itshealth entries, and that it should be approached with caution.The researchers, in the US, looked at online entries for ten

common conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, back pain and asthma, on asingle day last year. Although Wikipedia is constantly monitored for accuracy byvolunteers from the medical profession, they found that in nine out of ten cases, theentries contained information that contradicted the most up-to-datemedical research. Wikipedia, which is a charity, is the sixth most visited siteon the internet.

PHSG Magazine 8

Chats & Talks Organised by George Llewellyn

Geoffrey Walker - November Evening Meeting

Once again, inNovember, we had thepleasure to hear a talkgiven by Geoffrey. It isalways a delight to seeand hear him. Wheredoes he get his energy?He gave us an updateon the Medical Investigation Unit Poole thatwas set up last year. Geoffrey’s visit always

prompts lots of questions and comments and this was no exception.I have invited him back again in November 2015 so watch out in the newsletters andmagazines later in the year.

It seems to have become a PHSG tradition now. For the last few years Gary Lee comesalong to the December Chat Stop and entertains us in his inimitable manner. This year heexcelled himself, it was the best ever when he invited a local singing club along to help.Fantastic well done Gary! “Christmas doesn’t start for me until we have Gary and theChristmas Carol”.We certainly got into the festive spirit with mince pies and bundles of mistletoe.

Christmas Singalong with Gary - December Chat Stop

9 PHSG Magazine

I’m already looking forward to next Christmas!By the way if anybody is interested the choir isSing Together, call Anna on 01202 633971.

George

Airwaves are Trading Standards Approved

PHSG Magazine 10

“The hearse was parked outside with the coffin in the back” Hayley West toldreporters in Wentworth Falls (New South Wales) “with the body of my brother-in-law

Seth inside. We were all standing round in the foyer, and the funeral directors were justgetting ready, when a guy suddenly leapt out of the bushes, jumped into the hearse and

started it up. The funeral director was banging on the window saying ‘What are you doing?You can’t drive away in a hearse.’ But the guy just drove off, and we were all standingaround saying ‘Oh boy, the hearse has been stolen.’

“After a few seconds, Seth’s brother Tobias leapt into his own car and went off in pursuitof the hearse, while I phoned the police and told them to get here quickly. Then the

florist came over and said ‘that is a dead end, he’ll have to turn and come back.’Tobias blocked the road with his car, so when the hearse eventually came back

it had to stop. Tobias jumped out shouting and the guy said ‘I need to getto a hospital.’ The police arrived and took him away. After that Seth’s

funeral went off okay, everything was fine.NSW police later confirmed that a 49 year old man had

been taken into custody, adding that ‘no furtheraction will be taken regarding the

incident.’ABC Australia

28/1114

TIPS - How to give money away Tax Free  You can make gifts of up to £250 to as many people as you like without either

party having to worry about tax..  For larger gifts, the allowance is a total of £3000 - any higher and they become

subject to inheritance tax if you die within the next seven years. You can give the £3000to one person, or split it between several people. However, it cannot be combined with a£250 gift.

  If unused, all or some of the £3000 allowance can be carried over for one year, but notbeyond that.

  When a couple celebrates a wedding or a civil partnership, each of their parents can givethem £5000. For Grandparents the limit is £2500, and for everybody else it is £1000.

  Gifts made “out of income” do not incur inheritance tax liability. The rules are quitecomplicated but broadly speaking, payments must be part of a settled pattern of expenditure;must be made from income (not capital); and must not affect your standard of living.

SOURCE: The Sunday Times

11 PHSG Magazine

8 5 9 4 3 77 6 3 8

4 3 8 1 5 29 7 5 2

7 52 4

3 93 1

4 2 9 8

SUDOKU by Derek

Spicy Food linked to Testosterone.Men who like spicy food have higher testosterone levels than those with ablander palate, reports Time. For the study conducted at the University ofGenoble, 114 men aged 18 to 44 had their testosterone levels tested. Theywere then given a plate of mashed potatoes and invited to add chilli sauce totaste. Those who added the most sauce had the highest levels of the hormone,which has been associated with thrill-seeking, social dominance and a highersex drive. “Conversely, low testosterone levels have been associated withlethargy or depressive mood,” wrote the study authors. Chilli is not muchfavoured in French cuisine; however, commentators suggested that thefindings might trigger a new trend.

PHSG Magazine 12

The Cutting EdgeAdvances in Medical Technology - Robotic Massage

By Keith Matthews

Keith

I must treat this issue’s advance with a bit of a wry grinfor while I appreciate the aims of the work to automateand accurately reproduce physical movements, Icannot get the image out of my head of a mad robotgoing berserk like in all the best cartoons! To my mindthis is not helped by the image of the machinereleased with the publicity!Let us cast this imageaside and concentrate onthe practical devicewhich surely must takephysical strain out of theact of manipulation whilestill incorporating theexpertise of the therapist.

Physiotherapy treatments are widely applied to helprestore movement and functions to individuals whohave been affected by injury, illness or disability.Traditionally, many physiotherapy treatments havebeen performed manually by physiotherapists whorepeat the treatments regularly - usually on a dailybasis - for a prescribed number of weeks to mobilizejoints and soft tissues. This is of course very strenuous and a tired therapist may

not repeat the treatmentsaccurately.Over the past three years,however, a vision-guided roboticsystem called the CBot has beenunder development in Spain thatcan apply several types of suchphysiotherapy automatically.While the condition of the patientis still diagnosed by a trainedphysician, the robotic systememulates their movements,relieving them of the physicaleffort.

Take a Deep BreathIn use, patents seeking treatment from back pain first enterthe clinic where they are provided with a Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) card with their name and personal data.Next, a trained physician performs a face-to-face diagnosisto determine the specific type of pain that requires treatment.A patient is then scanned by a Kinect-based body scannerafter which the physician defines what type of treatment,where on the back, and for what length of time, it should beapplied by the robot.The data relating to the specific treatment is then stored onthe RFID card. Armed with this, the patient can enter theclinic at a prescribed time to receive treatment from the CBotrobotic physiotherapist by plugging in the card like an ATM.The machine has been developed jointly by:Clinica Ordonez www.clinicaordonez.comRobotics Special Applications

13 PHSG Magazine

All talks and Chat Stops are at St John’s Church Hall, BroadstoneAll PHSG talks and Chat Stops are

free.March 3 Chat Stop at 14:00Talk by Linda Everett.March 12 Annual Dinner (not free!)Call Rita for last minute booking.April 7 Chat Stop at 14:00April 16 AGM at 19:30PHSG Annual General MeetingMay 5 Chat Stop at 14:00Denise Edwards - Experiences of a Stuntperformer in film and television.“My talk is about my experiences working as astunt performer in films and television.In brief I have been working in this industry for 33 years initially as a stunt performer and latterlya stunt co-ordinator, although now retiring. I talk about how a childhood passion and dedicationfor sport led me to being involved in the profession, one that I wouldn’t have chosen. I outlinewhat it takes to become a stunt performer, the skills, the training, the fees, the insurance, thesubscriptions and then I recall some of my experiences working on various films and televisionproductions as well as actors for whom I have doubled.”May 28 Evening Meeting at 19:30Chairman’s Wife’s Super Prize Quiz.Come along to a super quiz, where we will make up teams (or you can come as a team). Therounds will each be on different subjects, some more light-hearted than others. Question setter -Janet Matthews, Question Master - Keith Matthews.June 2 Chat Stop at 19:30Richard Edwards - Experiences of a Documentary CameramanRichard’s talks are drawn from some of the more interesting and exciting experiences gainedover a 30-year career as a Cameraman in UK Television. Richard changes his talks to be topi-cal but he has stories from filming the series “O’Shea’s Big Adventure” for Ch4 and filmng her-petologist Mark O’Shea in his quest to capture and handle the most venomous and dangeroussnakes and reptiles in the world. These are punctuated with a variety of incidents depending onwhat he feels like at the time, e.g. his first scuba dive in the murky waters of River Tyne, A diveon a secret and surprising shipwreck, a very near miss underwater, and a very close underwaterencounter with a killer whale.

Remaining Chatstop Dates in 2015 at 14:00 October 6th November 3rd December 1st

PHSG Meetings - Diary Dates

PHSG Magazine 14

Full members: 679 Partner members: 369Committee members: 12 Honorary members: 48Advertisers: 5 TOTAL: 1113

EMMA : Members will see from the photographs on Page 21 that Emma gave birth totwin girls. Rhiannon weighed in at 6lbs 12oz and Lily at 5lbs 2oz. Congratulations toEmma and Richard from all at PHSG but, in particular, from all those delighted greataunts and uncles who so enjoy Emma’s classes. It was wonderful for two of her classes tobe treated to a visit recently from Mum and the girls. We all pass on our congratulationsto this lovely family. Very many thanks to all our other trainers for filling in and keepingthe classes going. Emma is hoping to return for one morning a week to start with justafter Easter.MICHELLE : Congratulations also to Michelle who is now fully qualified. It is difficultfor our trainers to study and take the BACPR Phase 4 examination while working and atthe same time balancing a family life. Well done Michelle.CAROLINE : Our team of 8 trainers has been supplemented by Caroline Luff over thepast few months who came to us already qualified and has filled in at a number of venues.Our thanks to Caroline and more of her in a future edition of the magazine.BLUE FORMS : Blue forms are used basically to ensure and sign-off members as ‘fitfor exercise’. The forms were drawn up when PHSG started so as to keep a member’s GPin the loop when patients were clearing rehab and joining PHSG. They have been used forover 20 years. The majority of GPs saw PHSG as a great benefit to their patients andgladly completed and signed the forms. However, over the years a very small minority ofGPs objected and it has become necessary to smooth ruffled feathers on occasions.We finally obtained permission for the Rehab nurses to complete forms resulting in theintroduction of Yellow Forms. This has helped enormously and it also speeds up theprocess of membership. However there are still times when the old Blue Form is neededwhen we get applications for membership from the general public.PHSG is here to help former patients and others to benefit from regular cardiac exercisewhich should in turn help keep the queues down in surgeries and A&E. It is thereforeannoying to hear that a new member was asked for a fee of £50 by his GP to complete ourform . . . this was subsequently reduced to £13.30 after a protest.Have any other members been charged such a fee? If so we would like to hear from youso that we can take the matter up with the BHF and/or the local MP.

Exercise Venues

Membership Update

Derek

Robin

15 PHSG Magazine

Ashdown School Sports Monday 12:00 Tuesday 09:30 10:30 Wednesday 09:30 Friday 09:30 10:30

Canford School Sports Monday 09:00 10:00 Tuesday 09:00 10:00 Thursday 09:00 10:00 11:00 Friday 09:00 10:00

Ferndown Sports Monday 10:30 Wednesday 11:00

Hamworthy Fire Station Monday 10:00

“Hearts on Seats”,Broadstone Thursday 13:30

Images, Lower Parkstone Wednesday 11:00 Friday 11:00

Lytchett Minster Sports Tuesday 18:00 19:00 Thursday 18:30

“Step Down” QE Academy Wimborne Tuesday 14:30

Swanage, Burlington Sports Club Tuesday 14:30 15:30

Wareham, Purbeck Sports Club Monday 16:00 Thursday 11:00

PHSG Exercise VenuesAll sessions last 1 hour

If you are not exercising with us and would like to startplease call Robin Pringle or Roger Ridout.

Contact details are on the inside front cover

Our “Hearts on Seats” is designed for the less physically able.The “Step Down” class is designed for members with more complicated heartproblems and is conducted by the Poole NHS rehabilitation team incollaboration with Poole Heart Support Group.

PHSG Magazine 16

Travelling with Medications By Michèle CarberyTravelling can often be an exciting adventure, either by choice, or by circumstance whenthings don’t go as planned. It is wise to be prepared and this is especially vital when atraveller is dependant upon essential prescription medications to maintain and protecthealth. Plan well ahead of your trip, the NHS advises, “If you need prescribed medicationfor your health condition, talk to your GP or practice nurse about your travel plans at leasttwo months before your departure date. They can tell you if you need to make any specialarrangements.”Consider asking your travel insurance provider about cover for your prescriptionmedications. Specialist travel insurance providers such as Able2Travel can help you findcover for medical conditions AND some protection for costs related to replacingprescriptions if they are in your travel baggage and it is lost or damaged. It is also veryimportant to make sure that your prescription medication is permitted in the country towhich you are travelling, including countries you are passing through. Some countrieshave very strict requirements regarding certain drugs. In some cases medicines available inthe UK are considered illegal substances in other countries. To check the requirementsregarding your own prescription, your doctor may be able to provide helpful resources andyou can visit the websites of embassies and other diplomatic agencies.Keep your medicines and prescriptions well-organised and always keep an ample supplyof essential medications in your carry-on luggage for your journey, including extra in caseof delays or if your luggage gets lost! Consider packing your medications in a clear plasticbag with the prescription written by your doctor. You will need to check airlinerestrictions regarding liquid medicines. Your pharmacist can also provide advice andpotentially repackage certain medicines in smaller, properly labelled, containers for you.If your medicine needs to be kept cool, you may need to use a cool bag or ice pack. Have aback-up plan for keeping your medications cool for extended periods of time in the eventof unexpected delays.Take your doctor’s prescription with you. Be aware that some overseas pharmacies mayonly fill prescriptions written in that country, so if your prescription medication is lost,you may need to see a doctor in the country you are visiting and have your diagnosisverified in order to get a similar prescription and medicine. Having your doctor’sprescription and contact information with you may be very helpful in this process.If your prescription medication is in your baggage and is lost for more than 12 hours ordamaged, it could be costly to have it replaced with similar medication. Able2Travelprovides up to £500 cover for loss or damage to prescription medications subject to theexcess and the terms of the policy. Call 01892 839 501 for a free quote from our friendlyteam and to learn more today.Happy Travels from the Able2Travel team.HELPFUL RESOURCES: NHS: ‘Can I take my medicine abroad,’http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1074.aspx?CategoryID=70

Michele

17 PHSG Magazine

ADVERTISEMENT

PHSG Magazine 18

Christmas Fun & Games at CanfordWe didn’t go hungry

19 PHSG Magazine

Christmas Fun & Games at Canford

A good gathering working up an appetite

We didn’t go hungry Three trainers to keep us in line

PHSG Magazine 20

The Ladies Table for the Quiz

Lesley knows how to make an impact!

I judged from the reception I gotat Christmas Fun Day atCanford (jeering and throwingfood) that the quiz was a bitdifficult! I must admit I thoughtit was, and I knew the answers.I’m not making excuses (yes Iam) it was the third ChristmasQuiz I have put together and yesthey are getting harder.So, don’t despair, next years willbe a general knowledge one anda bit easier. If anybody has anyideas for a theme or format letme know and don’t be shy ifanyone else wants a bash at it Iwill not be offended!

George L

21 PHSG Magazine

Emma Visits us at Canford in January.

PHSG Magazine 22

Medical Clinical Care Group Jim WaineProactive Development Unit for Cardiology and

MedicinePHSG has a voice in this influential group, representing theviews of its members.  The Group is held under the capablechairmanship of Geoffrey Walker OBE, Matron of Cardiologyand Medicine, and it really gets things done! Positive changesare made to hospital procedures as a result of patientfeedback being given to PHSG representatives.  All PHSGmembers can report back on their experiences of theirtreatment in Poole Hospital in complete confidence.  So if youwant to say something good or bad about your experience in  Poole Cardiac Unit, or itsrelated departments, including the ambulance service, please forward your comments.You can contact me by e mail (preferred), letter or telephone.Looking forward to hearing from you! Jim Waine, Vice President PHSG 01202 871532

Quality Service Group meeting cancelled due to pressures of work..Geoffrey Walker is now Matron for Medicine/ Specialist Medicine/ Emergency andAmbulatory Care Medical Group.As there is no news from the QSG meetings you may find it interesting to read about myvisits to Poole Hospital. Being a member of the QSG, I can accompany Matron GeoffreyWalker on his ward rounds.  I have done so on two occasions recently; the first being inNovember when the winter pressures on the hospital had increased enormously. Thesecond visit was in January, the pressure still being very high.The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit was noticeable for its tranquil environment.  I met twomembers of staff who had been interviewing applicants to work in the unit, one male andone female. I was also advised of two patients who were being transferred to the unit fromother wards within the hospital. I also viewed the screens that monitor patients, not only inthis unit, but also in other parts of the hospital.The Pacemaker Unit has been extended to cope with fitting and servicing, but, as yet, theydo not deal with ICDs.On my last visit in September, we met Dr Booths who was fighting with thecomputers.  Some were very slow, or not functioning.  This obviously stopped himcarrying on with his work.  On this visit we met an IT gentleman who said that allcomputers had been upgraded to Windows 7 from XP.  However, it was not possible toupgrade further to Windows 8.1 as the software was not yet compatible.I also passed by individual rooms that would be used should Ebola rear its ugly head.For the first time we visited the A&E Department. The walk in waiting room was almostfull.  We went round the area for treatment rooms, and also the ambulance entrance toA&E. This is a massive area and was full of staff and patients. Of patients arriving in A&E

23 PHSG Magazine

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40% are brought in by ambulance.  This area is not visible from the waiting room and Icommented that the people in the walk in area do not realise how busy it is in the rear.  Isuggested that a sign be put up in the reception area  giving waiting times, but, mostimportantly, also saying that there are ambulances (with the number of ambulances)being dealt with at the rear, involved with road accidents and other emergencies.On my second visit, which was at a busier time than the first, I chatted to staff who werepleased that a lay person had come to see the pressure they work under each and everyday, week after week. It's amazing and unimaginable the pressure that the staff areworking under to save lives and help patients. They can also be subject to abuse, but mustperform to reach performance percentages.  At the time of my visit they were attaining97.8%. These members of staff are worth their weight in gold!The new Endoscopy Department was up and running at the time of my last visit.  Thereare individual male and female rooms for examination, with a recovery area and a newself-booking in computer at the entrance.It is anticipated that it will soon be running a 10 hour day, and a service whereby you canphone in to book a same day walk in appointment.I asked in the previous magazine if your Doctor had checked your pulse when you visitedlast, or when you had your flu jab. I ONLY HAD ONE MEMBER PHONE ME TO SAYSHE HAD! Is this correct - only one Doctor in Dorset is checking pulses?If you have comments views or ideas about any of the above, please let me know. I lookforward to hearing from you (preferably in writing or by e mail.

Jim

PHSG Magazine 24

Maggie and I are lucky enough tobe invited each year by RogerRidout to this dinner for PHSGmembers in Swanage andWareham. We try to attend thisevent if possible as they are agreat crowd over there in thatneck of the woods.Who is this Roger? Well you canread about him on the pageopposite as he is one of ourprofiled members this month.Roger has been running thePurbeck end of PHSG for many

years which takes a lot of work off my hands and I am most grateful for that! Hemusters the members, organises the events, liaises with the two venues and,most importantly, does his level best to keep that Clare in order! This year’sdinner was held at Dorset Golf Club which I thought was an excellent venue.It is the custom for Clare to take the floor after the meal to present a number oftrophies and being very careful to distribute them equally to those from Swanageand those from Wareham. I am sure all recipients deserved them but mentionshould be made of Andrew, who broke his own record with 313 skips in 2 minutes.It is at this stage every year that Clare delivers the sermon. After giving us all adire warning she started waving a book in the air in the manner of Billy Graham orReverend Paisley. She began extolling the virtues of Water and Salt. We knewabout the water but she wasn’t about to be silenced as she read tracts regardingthe benefit of salt.It was now time for Roger to take the floor and run the raffle and prizes. It was atthis stage that I rushed forward for I was determined to present him with a coupleof bottles of his favourite wine (Barolo) as a token thank you from the committeefor all the splendid work he has done for PHSG over the years. I have to admitthat after hearing Clare I did think about keeping the wine for myself and handingRoger a packet of salted crisps and a bottle of water. I gave him the wine.As I returned to the table Alf Marriott was setting a precedent and many malemembers were following suit pushing their alcoholic drinks aside, emptying thesalt cellars into their mouths and drinking water straight from the carafes on thetables. I also followed suit and then had to stop the car five times on the way backto Wimborne. I couldn’t help wondering how many times Alf and the others had tostop the Swanage Coach on the way back home.Clare . . . do please take all this with a pinch of salt !!!All in all an excellent evening. Thank you Roger.

The Purbeck Christmas Dinner

Robin

Robin Pringle

25 PHSG Magazine

A Showcase on Members - Roger RidoutMeet our MembersDorset bred, London born - a bit of a funny introduction!My Dad came from Bournemouth, but his forebears livedin Okeford Fitzpaine where Roger Ridout a Miller was anotorious Smuggler during the 1700's with Poole basedIssac Gulliver. Between them they brought largequantities of contraband inland from the coast and storedthem in the aptly named Fiddleford Mill.Dad moved to London as a young man where he met &married Mum resulting in the births of my elder sister,myself and younger brother. We lived in Chiswick & survived the blitz, despitehaving the adjacent semi-detached house destroyed & demolished by anincendiary bomb, resulting in our party wall being held up by substantial timberprops. These were removed after the war in 1947, prior to the wall being pulleddown for a rebuild, with a temporary scaffold & canvas cladding as the onlyprotection against the severe cold winter, during which the River Thames froze.No wonder I finished up warm blooded. Our former home is still a detachedproperty. I think these events must have founded my interest in building, havingspent the early years of my working life in housing development on theSurrey/Hampshire borders before moving to Swanage in 1978 with Brenda mywife of 54 years, and our three lovely daughters, who have produced fourgrandsons and four granddaughters. I then entered the world of commercialconstruction resulting in extensive travelling and long car journeys.Having obtained a senior position with a National Contractor in their SouthernRegional base in Southampton with a lengthy daily commute, my duties were tonegotiate large public sector and commercial contracts. Whilst driving from homein 1999 to a new site in Portsmouth I was extremely sick a number of times onroute. This turned out to be a heart attack resulting in a triple bypass operation.During Cardiac Rehabilitation I met my oid friends Fiona Keene and LesleyBradshaw, before joining the Purbeck Phase 4 Exercise Sessions taken by ClareBarratt, with whom I still act as her Coordinator after 14 years. Having also had acardiac arrest in 2012 and been fitted with an ICD I am now a bionic man, butbeing serious, wish to thank these super ladies for keeping me fit enough tosurvive and enjoy a full and active lifestyle.My wife Brenda utilises her background in the theatre as the Director of all theMusicals at the Mowlem Theatre, winning a number of Awards for herProductions. Added to my volunteering to Project Manage such ventures as the'Heroes Haven' a unique holiday dwelling for disabled servicemen. This hashelped us both provide added value to the local community.

Roger

PHSG Magazine 26

Meet our Members

My wife Margaret, founder of the Dorset charityMosaic has been awarded an MBE in the 2015New Year Honours list. Margaret andPsychotherapist, Patricia Williams, set up thecharity in 2007 and over the past 7 years, staff andvolunteers have worked with over 800 children andtheir families.Mosaic provides support for children and young people up to 18yrs who haveexperienced the death of a parent, sibling or loved one and who are finding itdifficult to understand the overwhelming feelings and emotions grief can bring.Although hospices provide support for families where the death has been causedby terminal illness, before Mosaic there was a gap in the provision of support forother causes of death, i.e. murder, suicide, sudden or accidental death. Thecharity provides individual, family group work and a residential weekendprogramme. The weekends are held twice a year and give children and youngpeople the opportunity to meet others, share their experience, learn how toexpress feelings like anger safely and have fun.When someone dies and adults are dealing with their own grief, children often getoverlooked and sometimes things may not be explained in a way they understand.However, children, even babies, will know that something has changed.Mosaic also offers support to those young people facing the death of a loved one,and training for professionals and agencies working with young people.18 months ago the charity was struggling to survive but the commitment anddedication of the staff and successful Children in Need and National Lotteryapplications has helped put Mosaic on a stronger basis.Margaret is very honoured and surprised to have received this award but it isalways a team effort and says that without the support of her family, thestaff, volunteers and everyone at Mosaic we would not be able toprovide the service which is so important for these young people.

We noticed an awardin the New YearListings and realisedthat Margaret was thewife of PHSG memberDavid Hannibal.Warmest congratulations to Margaret from us allat PHSG. David, who is also a trustee, writes:

If you’d like to make a donation then visit Mosaic’s Just Giving page at:https://www.justgiving.com/mosaicfamilysupport/donate/

David

27 PHSG Magazine

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PHSG Magazine 28

Come Walk With PHSG

Saturday 11th April

The Bankes Arms, Studland 10:00amDistance 3¾ miles - OS 195 SZ037825

Studland is reached from Sandbanks, using the car ferry or by taking the A351 from Wareham toCorfe and the B3351. The Inn is on the right on the right down to the beach. This walk is best donein reverse to avoid a steep climb.There is a very large car park beside the Inn but a charge is levied in summer by the National Trust.Only limited car parking is available outside the Inn. An easy, very popular coastal walk, fairly hilly,but quite dry and often breezy. The scenery is stunning with magnificent views.

N

Well, here we go again and looking forward to a much better 2015.With this issue of the Magazine we are mailing the new summerWalking Book to those of you who have ordered it. If you have not,here are the first two walks and any PHSG members are welcomejoin us. Then you can buy the full book later!We are a fun group, and enjoy great pub lunches and we’d like towelcome new walkers.. See you in April!

Cyril

♥ The PHSG committeeacknowledge gratefully thepassing over of a sum in excessof £50 from Walking Group.

29 PHSG Magazine

Wednesday 22nd April

Pamphill & Cowgrove 10:00amDistance 3 miles - OS 195 ST991997

Park and meet at the car park opposite the cricket pitch. To get there take the B3082 out ofWimborne, turn left shortly after passing the school, signed to Pamphill, take the next left and thecar park is on the left.

N →→

→

→

→

→

♥ David Steel and Jim Waine organised a PHSG walk on the 28th January.During the winter walks we may stop on route for a coffee break, at thisstop we all enjoyed our coffee and to our surprise we were treated to afree, yes free, Danish Pastry! We have been asked by many members ofthe walking group the name of this venue, so the name is “Quay Café 18

♥ TOP TIP: Call your dog “Five Miles” then you can tell people that youwalk five miles every day.

PHSG Magazine 30

☺I heard a rumour that Cadbury is bringing out an orientalchocolate bar. Could be a Chinese Wispa.☺I thought I saw some Star Wars chocolate bars when I was

in the supermarket earlier. I was mistaken, it seems that itwas just a Galaxy far, far away.☺I was raised as an only child. That really annoyed mysister.

☺ On a beautiful summer's day, two American tourists weredriving in Wales. At Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogoch,they stopped for lunch, and one of the tourists asked the waitress, “Before we order, Iwonder if you could settle an argument for us. Can you pronounce where we are, very,very, slowly?” The waitress leaned over and said “Burrrr Gurrrrr King."

☺ What do you get if you cross a snowman and a vampire? Frost bite.☺ Doctor: You've contracted onomatopoeia.

Patient: Oh. Is that serious?Doctor: It's just as bad as it sounds.

☺ The inventor of predictive text has died. His funfair will be hello on Sundial.☺ Young Man: I say, are you a model?

Young Woman blushing: Well, yes, actually.Young Man: Oh good, for a moment there I thought you were real.

☺ If you've seen one American shopping centre you've seen a mall.☺ We went snail racing the other day. the unbeaten favourite one lost a couple of times

so they took its shell off. It didn't work, it just made it more sluggish.☺ Is the Earth, without Art, just "Eh"?☺ Frodo woke up one morning to find a Tesco supermarket had been built next door.

Unexpected item in the Baggins area!☺ How do you tell the sex of an ant? Put it in water. If it floats it is boy ant.☺ Why was the baby ant confused? Because all her uncles were ants☺ Carbon-14 dating? I think it's disgraceful They should wait until carbon is at least 16☺ I had a fling with a woman from my fencing club. It was a rather sworded affair.☺ My mate tried to have an affair with her too but it was foiled by her husband.

A group of old people were sitting around talking about all their ailments."My arms have got so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one."Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts are so bad; I can't even see my coffee.""I couldn't even mark an "X" at election time because my hands are so crippled," volunteered a third."What? Speak up! What? I can't hear you," said one elderly lady."I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said one, to which several nodded weaklyin agreement."My blood pressure pills make me so dizzy!" exclaimed another."I forget where I am, and where I'm going," said another."I guess that's the price we pay for getting old," Winced an old man as he slowly shook his head.The others nodded in agreement."Well, count your blessings," said a woman cheerfully . . ."Thank Goodness we can all still drive."

31 PHSG Magazine

How to be eccentric in old age!☺ With a serious face, order Diet Water in the restaurant.☺ Getting money from the ATM, scream 'I Won! I Won!'☺ When leaving the Zoo, start running towards the Car

Park, yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'☺ Tell your grandchildren over dinner: “Due to the economy,

we are going to have to let one of you go.”☺ Go to a large Department store’s fitting room, drop your trousers to your

ankles and yell out: “There is no paper in here!”Its a Dumb World

● Question: “If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer: “I would not live forever,because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we wouldlive forever, but we cannot live forever which is why I would not live forever.

Miss Alabama 1994● Smoking Kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life. Brooke Shields● Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

Mayor Marion Berry, Washington DC● That low down scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a Jackass, and I’m the one to do it.

Congressional candidate in Texas● I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix. Al Gore● We’ve got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need? Lee Iacocca● The word “genius” isn’t applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.

Joe Theisman, NFL Quarterback● We don’t discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.

Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Insructor.● Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you

passed away. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances.Department of Social Services, South Carolina

☺ Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a  diet coke?☺ Why do banks leave vault doors open but chain the pens to the counters?☺ Why do supermarkets make the sick walk to the back of the store to get

their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?☺ Why do we leave cars worth thousands in our driveways and put

our useless junk in the  garage?☺ Why don't you ever see the headline ‘Psychic Wins  Lottery’?☺ Why is the man who invests all your money called a  broker?☺ Why isn't there mouse-flavoured cat food?☺ Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?☺ Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?☺ If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

PHSG Magazine 32

Rides are about 15 to 20 miles long, the rides are open to all members ofthe PHSG as long as your doctor approves. For help, advice, weathercheck and bike maintenance call Keith Matthews on 01202 855001. We’llarrange to check out your bike if it needs it.STARTS 10:00am Meet & DestinationSunday 22 Mar Sandbanks Shore Rd - Ferry Oil RunSunday 19 Apr Wimborne Square - Blandford BashSunday 24 May Broadstone Leisure - Lytchett LinkSunday 21 Jun Rotary Father’s Day Bike Ride

In bad weather call before 9:00am to see if the ride is going ahead.

PHSG Cycling Group Rides

The cycling group ride through the winter despite the cold, but we do tend to keepthe rides short and head for the coffee stop a bit quicker! Here we are all enjoyingthe runs leader’s invitation to coffee and home made mince pies in the run up toChristmas. We have finished the ride so we can relax feeling quite holy aboutthings.On the right you’ll notice poor John with his arm in a sling. He was out cycling onhis own the week before and a nice lady decided to deposit him in the roadrequiring an ambulance trip to A&E at Poole. As you can see, he’s still smiling andthanking his membership of the Cyclists’ Touring Club who’s legaldepartment are pursuing his claim with their customary vigour. KeithWALKING FOOTBALLThere seems to be some interest in starting up a “Walking Football” section. Will anyone interestedin playing or willing to referee or interested in running a section please contact Derek Pope. Detailsinside the front cover of the magazine.

33 PHSG Magazine

Last year, as many of us do, I went for an eye test. Also like many of us,I needed new prescription lenses in my spectacles. I was also told that Inow need specs for driving too.At my last session I bought some lovely frames which I would prefer tokeep and thought to have new lenses put in those would be a good andcheap option. Oh no! I had the same offers from two well knownOpticians. I could have one new frame (plus one free) with new lensesfor around £84.00. To have one pair of my own frames with new lenseswould cost £85.00!Then a friend recommended Williams Harris Optical. I believe theyactually supply some of the shops, so you are I think "cutting out themiddle man".I had my two pairs of frames made up with the new lenses. Both had ascratch proof surface. One was made up with darkened glass so I cansit in the garden and read. I had an old pair made up with driving lenseswhich have an anti-glare finish. All this for just under £100.00!Williams Harris do have some frames to choose from but not a greatdeal. At the moment they do not do eye tests, but they tell me they hopeto in the future.So, if you are like me and DO like a bargain, you now know where to go!

WILLIAM HARRIS OPTICAL - 01202 6866224 Stanley Green Crescent. Industrial Estate. BH15 3TH

I Do Love a Bargain!

Barclays have an initiative to help children learn how to code (writeprograms) for computers.There is an option on the page to ‘Book a Code session at your local branch’,(Barclays at 100 Poole High Street is involved) so that is one option. Childrenfrom 7 to 17 can go along but they need to take a laptop and a parent withthem. Follow this link:

http://www.barclays.co.uk/DigitalEagles/BarclaysCodePlayground/P1242686640999The other option is to click on the ‘Explore Code Playground’ blue link on the page, this takes you toa quite busy page designed for kids with a lot of things moving around.You or your children or grandchildren can see a bit of coding here and change things. Just click onone of the moving items and a box pops up giving you one or more items you can change, then clickon ‘apply’ and see what difference your code change has made. I played with this for a while and itshould give kids who can read an indication that ANYONE can write code, yes – even you!II’ve got no affiliation with Barclays and Inever banked with them but I applaud what theyare doing.

Coding for Juniors

Jan

Derek

PHSG Magazine 34

ASTRONOMY WORD SEARCH

Our Word Searches are compiled by Derek Pope

ANDROMEDA; ASTEROIDBELT; CERES; COMET; DEIMOS;DOPLERSHIFT; EARTH ECLIPTIC; ERIS; EUROPA;HORSEHEAD; HUBBLE; ISS; JUPITER; KUIPERBELT;LIGHTYEAR; LUNAR; MAGELLANICCLOUDS; MARS; MERCURY;MESSIER; MILKYWAY; NEPTUNE; OORTCLOUD; PHEBOS;PLUTO; POLESTAR; REFLECTOR; REFRACTOR; SATURN;SEDNA; SOUTHERNCROSS; SUN; TRANSIT; URANUS; VENUS

O L I N U S K D A D E M O R D N A XT O O R T C L O U D F A N D E S K TU S D U O L C C I N A L L E G A M FL Z K T R K H N E P T U N E M S S IP B I A Z U K P O P T L J A E F I HD T H S B L S L X R Y U R L W S C SA K J B A Y E U S P P S I U S O A RE X L B S S R V N I J G I M M U E EH E A R T H E U T A H I I E S T R LE C U A E U C E C T R L T O H H O PS L R R R E R S Y R K U I N S E T OR I A H O V V E U Y E E S O O R C DO P N U I P A W W N S M N P M N A SH T U B D R A A F I E G A R I C R OL I L Z B J Y S R D S V R K E R F BF C P R E F L E C T O R T T D O E EE C O C L J S F R E I S S E M S R HS D Z A T L E B R E P I U K F S B P

PHSG Clothing

T-Shirts £7.00

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This exclusive range of clothes areavailable from the PHSG

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME UNWELLMedical help and advice is available if you become unwell when your GPsurgery is closed. You should:Dial 999 or go to A & E as soon as possible if you are worried about thesudden onset of new symptoms or have suffered a serious Injury orillness.A & E departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They arefor a critical or life threatening situation, for example chest pain,suspected heart attack, severe breathing difficulties, severe loss of blood,loss of consciousness, deep wounds and suspected broken bones. Theyare not for minor injuries or health problems, nor an alternative to seeingyour GP or for a ‘second opinion’ if you have already seen your GP.You can also call Non Emergency Care on 111 if you are feeling unwellbut not facing a life-threatening emergency and you are unsure what todo. Use 111 if you need information about finding a pharmacist, dentist orother service and cannot wait until your GP surgery opens. This servicereplaces the old Dorset Out of Hours Medical Service.Go to an NHS Walk-In Centre or Minor Injuries Unit with a minor injuryor illness. Find the nearest one by calling 111

REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE CHEST PAINDIAL 999 WITHOUT DELAY

Poole Heart Support Group, Poole Community Health CentreShaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT

Affiliated to the British Heart Foundation andArrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity