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Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

In May 1989, Mary Lee founded a small company dedicated to providing a personal and person-centred care service in Alcester, enabling its customers to remain in the comfort of their own home while still receiving the support that they needed.

Since then, Helping Hands has opened 97 branches across the UK alongside a dedicated Support Centre in the small Warwickshire town it was founded. With an exceptional level of carer training and a team of dedicated clinical nurses and dementia specialists, Helping Hands is the only homecare provider that has been endorsed as a Centre of Excellence by Skills for Care, as well as being fully licensed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Whether you need a 30-minute drop-in to help you prepare your meal, or more complex and intensive support that involves overnight or live-in care, the Helping Hands team will provide you with a dedicated support plan that is tailored to you and your individual needs.

Regardless of your requirements, the carers at Helping Hands are fully trained and experienced in supporting a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, ADHD and neurological conditions such as MS and motor neurone disease. Helping Hands is also one of the UK’s leading dementia care specialists, offering extensive knowledge in dementia care and fully-trained carers to support you and your loved ones while enabling you to remain comfortable in the familiarities of your own home.
Since it was founded 30 years ago, Helping Hands remains a family-run business that is now managed by Mary’s sons, Tim and Ben. When asked about the progress of Helping Hands in the industry, Mary said: “I started Helping Hands as I believed there was a gap in care for the community that social services could not provide. I had no idea we would grow to such a large caring family.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

What is Ultra Femme 360?
Ultra Femme 360 is one of the latest innovations that is proving to be a huge hit with women and the aesthetics industry as a whole. The treatment provides a safe alternative to labiaplasty and vaginoplasty that doesn’t involve any of the common risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. Using radiofrequency technology, Ultra Femme 360 simulates the growth of new collagen in and around the vagina, restoring and tightening the area. The painless Ultra Femme 360 treatment is changing the lives of women. Katie Alex, dubbed the ‘Cheshire Fairy Godmother’, is one of the small number of Ultra Femme 360 practitioners in the UK, and the exciting technology has received a lot of attention from the press and media, including an appearance on the popular ITV programme This Morning.

Who is Suitable for Ultra Femme 360?
Ultra Femme 360 is suitable for a wide variety of women. The procedure is perfect for those who feel they may have lost tone due to aging or as a result of childbirth, and can also be useful for women who have lost sensitivity in the vaginal area. Additionally, the innovative treatment may also be used by women who may have lost strength in the vaginal muscles or experienced weakened, stretched or torn muscles and tissues in and around the vagina, conditions which often lead to the development of stress incontinence, something Ultra Femme 360 effectively treats.
Ultra Femme 360 has been changing the lives of women, especially for those who may be unable to improve tone or sensitivity with pelvic floor exercises alone. The Ultra Femme 360 is a safe, painless treatment that will restore vaginal tightness and treat incontinence, while improving women’s sexual wellbeing and confidence.

Ultra Femme 360 Can Treat Several Conditions
Several conditions can be effectively treated with the Ultra Femme 360 procedure. The benefits experienced after treatment include:
• Improved self confidence.
• Reduction in stress incontinence.
• Increase in blood flow to the clitoris.
• Improved sexual gratification for women and their partners.
• Satisfying visual appearance of the labia.

These improvements are all achieved as Ultra Femme 360 effectively tightens the following areas:
• Vaginal walls.
• Perineum.
• Introitus (vaginal opening).
• Labia minora (inner labia) which shrink as a result of the treatment.
• Labia majora (outer labia) is plumped.

What Does Ultra Femme 360 Involve?
With Ultra Femme 360, the vagina is rejuvenated without the need for surgery or painful procedures. Ultra Femme 360 remodels the vagina internally and externally without any down time or recovery time. The vagina canal procedure involves the insertion of a disposable tip that transmits radio frequencies to the area, which enhances collagen production and improves blood flow. Before treatment, a gel is applied to provide lubrication, and during treatment, a gentle warmth is often experienced by women. The radio frequencies are also moved across external treatment areas.

The procedure usually lasts for approximately 30 minutes. It is possible to arrange different appointments for the internal and external treatments, but most women choose to have both at the same time. A course of 3 treatments is recommended but most women will begin to see improvements after the first appointment. Daily activities can be returned to immediately after the procedure. However, you are advised not to have sexual intercourse for 1 week after the Ultra Femme 360 treatment.

Why Choose Katie Alex?
Katie Alex is a fully-qualified Aesthetic Nurse, and has over 10 years of experience in medicine. Her extensive training and experience means she possesses an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and is a specialist in Ultra Femme 360 treatments, so you can be assured that your treatments are as safe, comfortable and effective as possible. Katie understands how to tailor your aesthetic treatments perfectly to you, and the personal service offered at her private Altrincham clinic is second to none. Katie is an advocate for women’s health and the happiness and comfort of all her patients. A market leader in intimate tightening treatments, her passion is creating lasting results that truly make a difference to her patients lives.

So if you live in Hale, Cheshire or the surrounding area and want to find out more about vaginal tightening treatment in Hale, Cheshire or the surrounding area, or to book your free consultation with Katie Alex, call the clinic on 0161 989 1211.

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

How many times have you thrown ‘perfectly good’ food in the bin?
That chicken you just didn’t get around to cooking, the veg that has clearly seen better days and there’s always the odd banana that just didn’t make it into a lunchbox.

You’re not alone.
You may be surprised to know that every year; the average family in the UK throws away around £700 of edible food – enough to pay for a family holiday for some. Here, in Blackburn with Darwen, shocking figures show that food waste can account for almost half of what we send to landfill – and it costs the Council £100 for every tonne. So, who better to help inspire change than Blackburn’s MasterChef finalist and passionate foodie – Moonira Hinglotwala?

The mum-of-two shot to fame in 2018 when she wowed judges, John Torode and Greg Wallace, with her Indian fusion cooking. She’d had a very good teacher – her mother, who she used to watch from a stool in the family kitchen. As the eldest of five siblings, Moonira would happily pitch in with the cooking – turning her hand to the families’ favourite Gujarati recipes, which had been lovingly passed down from her grandmother. Despite being a trained pharmacist and running three different businesses plus hosting fine dining events, Moonira stills cooks every day for her family – including husband Riaz, son Ibrahim and daughter Alisha. And, she’s passionate about reducing food waste.

“It’s such a big problem,” she said.
“And, as well as the huge impact it’s having on our environment, it’s sad to think so much food is wasted when some people don’t have anything at all.”
To cut down on the food she throws away each week, Moonira tries to avoid supermarkets. “I try my very best to shop local,” she added. “I use shops that sell loose foods. “Not only can I buy just enough of what I need, I can cut down on plastics and packaging and also support local businesses.”
Moonira, who scooped Woman of the Year at the 2018 Fusion Awards, also plans the meals she’s going to cook and makes sure she buys the right amount of ingredients that she needs. “If there ever is any left over, we use it for lunches the next day,” she said.

“And, if I make a big batch of curry, then I’ll freeze it in case I’m ill or find that I’m really busy.” Moonira also chops her fresh herbs and mixes them with oil to freeze them. “I don’t tend to use the coriander all in one go and it doesn’t always last very long so I’ll make sure I freeze it rather than having to go out and buy more,” she said. “I also freeze my stocks using an ice cube tray and just pop them out when I need them.”

Sharing her top tips, Moonira added: “People can often feel overwhelmed at the thought of preparing good meals from scratch, but the main thing is to overcome that fear.

“To me, cooking is all about experimenting. “If you open your fridge, there’ll be ingredients in there that can be thrown together and will create a really good, hearty dish which is full of goodness. “You don’t need a recipe either – you can rely on your senses – what things look like, what they smell like, what they feel like too – although I do suspect that’s the scientist in me!” “Be adventurous,” she added. “Cooking fresh foods has so many benefits compared to relying on ready meals. “Importantly, it can cost very little. “You can chop veg and throw it into a pot with pasta and it’s a really healthy meal that is delicious and packed full of fibre and vitamins.” Moonira herself admits that she hasn’t always been confident and it was her son, Ibrahim who really pushed her to apply for MasterChef. “I’ve always loved the show,” she said. “I used to watch it all the time with my husband and I used to love putting myself in the contestants’ shoes.

“My son was absolutely adamant that I should apply – he even downloaded the application form and pestered me for a week to fill it in. “I only actually did it to keep him happy; I didn’t really think anything would come of it.” Back home, husband Riaz gives John and Gregg a run for their money and Moonira says he’s her toughest critic.

“He’s really helped me refine my recipes,” she added. “He doesn’t believe in cutting corners and he can tell straight away if I have.” Despite recently taking on a new Post Office in her Granville Road pharmacy, Moonira still dreams of one day owning her own restaurant. “I really enjoy hosting fine dining events,” she said. “I hosted one with Lisa-Goodwin Allen at Northcote and it was a fantastic experience. “I’d love to open my own restaurant – it’s just about finding the right place where I can serve really good, healthy food and provide a great, fine dining experience.”

For now, Moonira is passionate about educating others on food – how they can prepare healthy meals and reduce waste. “For me it’s about small changes making a big difference,” she added. “If we all take just a little bit of time to think about the foods we are buying and the meals we are preparing, it could have a really big impact for our families and our futures.”

Moonira’s top tips:
Understand food labels
Best before: This is about quality and not about food safety. It’ll be ok to eat the food after the ‘best before’ date – it may just not taste its absolute best.
Use-by: This does refer to food safety and the food should not be used after that date. Even if it looks and smells fine, it’s not ok to use!
Plan meals
Spend a bit of time before going shopping to plan ahead for meals you’d like to cook. That way you’ll only buy ingredients you really need – cutting down on waste and cost.
Write a shopping list
Keep a notepad and pencil in your kitchen or start a list on your phone so you know exactly what you need.
If you’re dashing out and don’t have time to write a list, why not take a picture of your fridge so you know what you already have?
Shop local
Try and use shops that sell loose food so you don’t have to buy a whole packet. Also, avoid putting fresh fruit and veg in plastic bags, if possible.
Use leftovers
If you do cook too much, why not use the leftovers for lunch or if you can, freeze them to use at a later date?

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, this means many children are playing outside. Parents are therefore being advised to be prepared for treating minor injuries.

It’s not uncommon for children to have accidents, particularly on their bikes. According  to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 90% of child cyclist accidents happen between 8.00 to 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 to 6.00 p.m. on weekdays. 

Dr Preeti Shukla, Clinical Lead at NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG said:

“Self-care is often best for cuts, scrapes and grazes, so it’s a good idea to check your first aid kit to make sure it’s stocked for all eventualities.  There’s nothing worse than getting out the first aid kit to discover you’ve run out of plasters or antiseptic wipes. It doesn’t cost a lot these days to get everything you need for your kit.”

“Your local pharmacy can advise you on treatment for minor injuries and over the counter medicines that are safe for your child. To keep your child is as safe as possible make sure they wear appropriate head gear, and if possible, protect their knees and elbows.”

A typical first aid kit should include:

  • High factor sunscreen (SPF 50 provides the best protection) – you should apply this before school so that your child is protected from the early morning sun.
  • Antiseptic – this can be used to clean cuts before they are dressed (bandaged) and most can treat a range of conditions, including insect stings, ulcers and pimples; alcohol-free antiseptic wipes are useful to clean cuts.
  • Tweezers – for taking out splinters; if splinters are left in, they can cause discomfort and become infected.
  • Plasters – a range of sizes, waterproof if possible.
  • Sterile dressings – larger injuries should be covered with a sterile dressing to prevent infection until treatment can be given by a health professional.
  • Medical tape – this is used to secure dressings and can also be used to tape an injured finger to an uninjured one, creating a makeshift splint.
  • Bandages – these can support injured limbs, such as a sprained wrist, and also for applying direct pressure to larger cuts.
  • Cooling gel packs or flannels – dip in cold water and use as a compress if your child has a small bump to the head.
  • Eyewash solution – this will help wash out grit or dirt from the eyes
  • Insect bite and nettle rash cream – good for reducing skin irritation if your child is bitten or stung.
  • Allergy medicine – your local pharmacy can advise you on the best type of allergy treatment for your child.
  • Thermometer – digital thermometers give very accurate readings and are quick and easy to use.
  • Coughs, colds and pain relief remedies – paracetamol or ibuprofen are good for relieving discomfort.  However, avoid ibuprofen if your child has asthma, unless advised by your GP.

If you’re worried about your child’s injuries and unsure if they need medical help, call NHS111.  This service offers advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can advise you where to go if your child has experienced a bang to the head or a bad sprain.  All the caller has to do is dial 111 to talk to the NHS.

For more information about what to do if your child has an accident, visit www.nhs.uk

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting. This year Ramadan will be starting around 5 May.

Doctors at NHS Blackburn with Darwen and NHS East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are encouraging residents to stay safe and well during this period. The fast lasts from dawn to dusk, and this year that means nearly 19 hours of no food or drink passing the lips.

Dr Pervez Muzzafar, a local GP who will himself be fasting said:

“Ramadan is a period of spiritual reflection and anyone suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, lung diseases and arthritis  or those taking medications, require more planning and discipline to observe the fast.

“Please seek advice about your disease and medications as this is extremely important so that your doses can be assessed.

“It is important to make sure you have two meals a day; sehr and iftar.  Also avoid or limit your intake of deep fried food such as pakoras and samosas and high sugar desserts. You can replace these foods with plenty of fruit, fibre and fluid to keep well hydrated and energetic.”

For many people Ramadan is a good time to consider stopping smoking for good or making permanent changes to their diet long-term to help with healthy eating and weight loss.

The key to maintaining health during Ramadan, especially if it takes place during warm weather, is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water when not fasting. Excessive caffeine should be avoided.

Signs of dehydration to look out for include producing little or no urine, feeling faint, disorientated or confused and having a persistent and severe headache.

If you feel ill during your fast, make sure you seek medical help as soon as possible and do not leave it for too late, especially if you are diabetic or suffer from kidney diseases. If you are in any doubt, please consult your pharmacist or GP to avoid any complications. Have a very happy and healthy Ramadan from both Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire CCGs.

Working in partnership:

NHS East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Gluten Free Diet benefits includes improving energy level, help with managing autism, promotes weight loss, allows for improved absorption of nutrients, decreases cancer risk, improves immunity, reduces arthritic flare ups, reduces the risk of heart related diseases and stroke, reduces symptoms of celiac disease, reduces allergies and improves fertility.
What is Gluten Free Diet?

If you haven’t heard of the gluten free diet by now, you’ve probably been living underground somewhere, or under a rock for the past two decades or so. Yes, since the turn of the new millennia, the gluten free diet’s popularity has surged, thanks largely to the numerous health benefits it is known for.
Don’t think you need to follow the gluten free diet? That may be true. Originally, the gluten free diet was developed for persons with gluten insensitivity, gluten being a protein found in certain foods, but especially those of wheat origin. Today, those following the diet are no longer limited to persons with gluten sensitivity, but people from all walks of life, who could handle gluten just fine, but are sold on the other benefits it has to offer your health.

Wondering how a gluten free diet can benefit you? Let’s dive right in then!

  1. Improves Energy Levels
    Low energy levels have become so common nowadays that most people take for granted that it typically has a deeper cause. One such cause? Gluten.
    Gluten intolerance can take on various forms, and be of numerous severities, some so mild that it tends to go under the radar. In this case, a sluggish feeling or lethargy results after eating foods high in gluten, but no other symptoms resembling a real good allergy or insensitivity.
  2. Helps With Autism Management
    Autism is a disorder that affects mental development, common diagnosed in children under two years of age. Common treatment modalities include medication and specialized social therapy, though research has now found that removal of gluten from the diet also does a big part in reducing associated symptoms of autism, such as ADHD and other behavioral disorders. Though it is not 100% known why diets that are free from gluten are correlated with improved symptoms, it could be attributed to reduced inflammatory markers in the brain or decreased formation of proteinaceous brain plaques that affect cognition and behavior.
  3. Promotes Weight Loss
    Though there isn’t a proven scientific basis to this claim, researchers have observed that rodents fed a gluten free diet experienced increased fat loss, compared to those that were still fed gluten in their meals. This increase in fat loss was interestingly observed even though no difference in calories were given, but the subjects given the gluten free diet had an upregulation of enzymes and receptors that promote fat loss.
    Yet another study even found that diets containing gluten actively work against fat loss, as they decreased energy expenditure from fat cells, and inhibited fat cell death.
  4. Allows For Improved Absorption of Nutrients
    Unknown to many, gluten intolerance can manifest in the subtlest of ways, including poor nutrient absorption. One may notice unexplained weight loss that is not healthy, and gives the impression that one is starving of healthy nutrition. However, by restricting gluten from the diet, nutrient absorption is improved and optimized, so that the body gets the nutrients it needs for improved cellular rebuilding and recovery. You will see improved energy levels, tying into the first benefits perfectly.
  5. Decreased Cancer Risk
    Gluten is a protein that is associated with high levels of inflammation in the body, ultimately causing an increase in oxidative stress to cells and the likelihood that they could undergo cancerous changes. Inflammation is at the heart of many cancerous changes, as the immune system may be suppressed simultaneously and unable to take care of cancerous changes in their infancy.
  6. Improved Immunity
    Did you know that a significant proportion of your immune system resides in your gut? Yes, when it boils down to it, the part of the immune system that is likely to be recruited first are the good bacteria that resides in your colon and small intestine. A gluten free diet reduces inflammation throughout the gut, allowing these good bacteria to function uninterrupted. The result? Decreased incidence of food poisoning and other infections spread via oral consumption.
  7. Reduces Arthritic Flare-ups
    There are a couple different types of arthritis, even though they share a very common component; joint inflammation. While you can manage it to an extent with NSAIDs and corticosteroids, they are not a good idea for long term use. Removing gluten from your diet,
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    but following a gluten free diet helps to reduce the flare ups of inflammation that characterize arthritis, be that osteo-arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Persons that have removed gluten from their diet experience less flare ups and less severe symptoms when they do occur.
  8. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease And Stroke
    Many diseases of the heart and blood vessels are caused by inflammation, and you guessed it- gluten is more than happy to feed those flames. Following a gluten free diet can in turn reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, by helping to avoid the inflammatory changes that occur. In blood vessels, high levels if inflammation lends itself to promoting atherosclerotic fat deposit, which blocks them and can cause a heart disease or stroke from interrupted blood flow.
    Elimination of gluten from your diet reduces inflammatory processes and reduces deposition of plaques in blood vessels, decreasing your cardiac risk.
  9. Significantly Reduces Symptoms of Celiac Disease
    Celiac disease is a condition characterized by excessive immune response to gluten, causing inflammation in the small intestine and the inability to properly assimilate nutrients. Celiac disease often occurs with Crohn’s disease, causing bleeding and discomfort as well. Gluten free diets reduce symptoms significantly, and can help offset nutritional deficiencies and overall discomfort.
  10. Reduces Allergies
    Gluten intolerance also manifests externally, as frequent outbreaks that resemble dermatitis are common occurrences. While these can be managed by application of topical anti-itch creams, it is a much better idea to prevent the rashes in the first place. Urticaria (also known as hives) occur frequently in persons with gluten allergies, and can be uncomfortable and embarrassing when it occurs often. These can also be a thing of the past if you follow a gluten free diet.
  11. Improves Fertility
    Though consumption of gluten does not mean one will have a harder time conceiving children, women who have insensitivities but do not know it stand to gain the most from eliminating gluten. Gluten insensitivities can cause difficulty in egg implantation following fertilization by the sperm, can cause disruptions in the lining of the womb that functions as a necessary cushion to the embryo, and can cause increased risk of spontaneous miscarriages.
    This is in addition to the already disrupted hormonal balance that it causes in women, making it a very uphill task in conceiving without outside help.
    Conclusion
    It is an arguable fact that everyone can benefit in some way from following a gluten free diet, even if you do not have a gluten allergy. But then again, many millions of people have low grade gluten intolerances and have no idea, but suffer from inexplicable health ills with no apparent cure. Try following a gluten free diet for 12 weeks. Then, if you are unable to find something that vastly improves following that time period, go back to your usual way of eating. But knowing the benefits you are likely to see, we trust you will not be going back!
Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

People in East Lancashire who are at risk of diabetes, or who have been diagnosed with diabetes are now receiving more support than ever before, says the GP lead for diabetes, Dr Rahul Thakur. 

Patients who are at risk of diabetes can sign up to “The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme” to help manage their weight and steer clear of a diabetes diagnosis.

Dr Rahul Thakur a local GP and clinical lead at East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group said:

“Most people would be shocked to know that around 22,000 people with diabetes die early every year across the country. Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke. There are currently five million people in England at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If these trends persist, one in three people will be obese by 2034 and one in 10 will develop type 2 diabetes.

There is strong international evidence which demonstrates how behavioural interventions, which support people to maintain a healthy weight and be more active, can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition.

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) identifies those at high risk and refers them onto a behaviour change programme”.

A lack of exercise, poor diet and being overweight are all risk factors for developing the disease. The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is designed to stop or delay the onset of diabetes through a range of personalised lifestyle interventions, including:

•             Education on lifestyle choices

•             Advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating

•             Bespoke physical activity programmes

Those referred by their GP, following a GP consultation, will receive tailored, personalised help to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help with weight loss (for overweight participants), and bespoke physical exercise programmes, all of which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Over a minimum of nine months patients will be offered at least 13 education and exercise sessions of one to two hours; at least 16 hours face to face or one-to-one in total.

Recent projections show that the growing number of people with diabetes could result in nearly 39,000 people living with diabetes suffering a heart attack in 2035 and over 50,000 people suffering a stroke.

Nationally, over 17,000 have now completed the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme nationally and have achieved a combined weight loss of over 50,000 kg – equivalent to the weight of four double decker buses.

The NHS Long Term Plan announced that the programme which sees people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes given help to lose weight, will double in size over the next few years to treat around 200,000 people a year.

2,526 people in East Lancashire and 1,535 people in Blackburn with Darwen have already signed up to the free programme with the vast majority benefiting from the support that it is giving to people. The combined sign up for Pennine Lancashire of 4, 061 over the last year has put Pennine Lancashire as the most successful area for people joining the programme.

From July this year, online versions of the programme, which involve wearable technologies and apps to help those at risk of type 2 diabetes, will be provided for patients who find it difficult to attend sessions because of work or family commitments.

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, national clinical director of diabetes and obesity said:

“Around two thirds of adults and one third of children are now overweight or obese; driving higher and higher rates of type 2 diabetes, that we are now focusing huge efforts to address, as outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan.

“I’m delighted that our work so far in this area has been producing really positive results. This weight loss and glucose reduction is promising – we hope to help many more of those who are at risk of Type 2 diabetes to not get it in the first place.” 

For people who have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes NHS East Lancashire and NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCGs offer patient self-care diabetes education courses which are freely available and easy to join.

Diabetes education has been shown to reduce longer term complications of diabetes and make people feel more confident in day to day self-management.

In East Lancashire, patients can sign up to EMPOWER, and in Blackburn with Darwen, patients can sign up to DESMOND. Both of these are national, structured diabetes education programmes designed to help people with type 2 diabetes understand what diabetes is, the effect it has on their body and how to make small, achievable changes to the food they eat and their everyday life.

Both EMPOWER in East Lancashire and DESMOND in Blackburn with Darwen are run as a self-referral course which means that people who have type 2 diabetes can sign up without having to see their GP or nurse.  To find out more information East Lancashire patients can go to https://east-lancs.empower-booking.co.uk/ and Blackburn with Darwen patients can go to https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/desmond-blackburn-with-darwen

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

Volunteers from across Blackburn with Darwen who put the ‘community’ into community centres have been thanked for their efforts at a special event. More than 70 people from volunteer-run community centres across the borough were invited to attend the celebration at the Town Hall.
They were welcomed by Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Pat McFall who presented them with certificates to acknowledge their hard work and efforts.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Mohammed Khan, joined Councillor Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, and the Council’s Chief Executive, Harry Catherall, as guest speakers. Cllr Khan said: In Blackburn with Darwen we are extremely proud of the success of our Your Call initiative – a drive to equip residents with the skills and resources they need to help make a real difference where they live.

The volunteers at this event are the very epitome of that success and they’re a fine example of Your Call working at its very best. They stepped in when the future of the community centres were uncertain and they’ve worked tirelessly to ensure they remain a key part of the community – providing the base for valued groups, events and functions.

From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to say a big thank-you to all of the volunteers on behalf of the Council and the residents of Blackburn with Darwen for their continued dedication and hard work. They really are amazing.

Volunteers at the event all give-up their own time, in some cases up to 40 hours a week, to help out with everything from the running of the community centres to organising fellow volunteers, facilitating groups, overseeing the finances and cleaning.

They manage the community centres at Accrington Road, Little Harwood, Darwen Valley, Greenfields, Ivy Street and Mill Hill.

Cllr Damian Talbot added:
These volunteers go above and beyond very single day to run the community centres and we can’t thank them enough. We’ve enjoyed opening the doors to the Town Hall for this special event to show our appreciation for what they’ve done and their ongoing commitment to the future of the centres. This is a really good example of partnership working and we’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with the groups to offer continued support and advice they need to continue to build on their success.

To find out more about how you can become a volunteer in Blackburn with Darwen and the different opportunities available, visit: www.lancsvp.org.uk

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

April is bowel cancer awareness month and this year the focus is on improving care and saving lives, by early detection and screening.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in England. Almost 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. Bowel cancer can be difficult to diagnose. The bowel cancer screening kit can detect bowel cancer early on, before the symptoms begin to show. So the best way to catch it and treat it sooner is to complete the screening kit.

Dr Neil Smith GP lead for cancer commissioning for Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) has won multiple awards for his cancer work. His team has recently launched a “Let’s talk cancer” campaign encouraging people to make “cancer” part of everyday conversations. A project which Dr Smith has organised is being used where G.P.s can encourage more patients to take up screening. As a result of this there has been an increase in patients completing the kits and more cancers being detected earlier.

Dr Smith said:

“Bowel cancer screening saves lives which is why I urge anyone between the ages of 60 and 74 to take advantage of the free tests which are sent out every two years. At the moment, only 58% of those in the UK who receive a screening kit actually use it.

“Thousands of people are missing out on detecting bowel cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat and the chance of survival dramatically increases. Don’t ignore it, take the test”

Leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer. A number of ways to do this include: stopping smoking, keeping active by doing regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and reducing the amount of alcohol you drink. 

For further information, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

This World Oral Health day (20 March 2019) people are being encouraged to look after their teeth and gum health. Making small changes to your daily routine will ensure your mouth stays healthy.

Dr Preeti Shukla, Clinical Lead at NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG said:

“Taking care of your teeth isn’t difficult or time consuming. By brushing your teeth properly twice a day and flossing, will prevent serious dental health issues.  

“Try humming ‘Happy Birthday’ twice through when you brush your teeth. This song is the perfect way to gauge how long you should be brushing for and is a great way to teach kids.”

Alongside brushing and flossing, it is recommended that you visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning regularly, preferably every six months. Your dentist will be able to let you know about any concerns they may have. If these concerns are left unobserved, they are likely to worsen and cause you more problems.

Dr Shukla added:

“Cutting down on the amount of sugar and alcohol you consume, as well as how much you smoke, will also significantly reduce your chances of tooth decay. Try swapping out fizzy drinks for water and snacking on fruit instead of sweets.”

By making these small changes to your everyday routines, you will ensure that your teeth and gums will stay strong and healthy for years to come.

If you would like to register with an NHS dentist please visit the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist/

For more information on how to look after your oral health visit the NHS website.

Find out more about World Oral Health Day 2019 at www.worldoralhealthday.org.