14th March 2013
Stephen Lloyd's Save the DGH update
Stephen Lloyd MP has issued an update on the current situation concerning "single siting" of DGH core services. Stephen said:
"After the announcement by East Sussex Healthcare Trust that they intended to downgrade our maternity and paediatrics due to safety concerns, I rushed back from my father’s funeral in Spain to ensure I was able to make the Emergency General Meeting in Bexhill.
I put a number of questions to the Trust’s Board, but I have to say though, I thought the meeting was a complete sham! On Wednesday last week staff at the DGH were told the Special Care Baby Unit was closing and paediatrics was having its opening hours slashed. Yet at the meeting 2 days later they discussed a number of options, completely straight faced as if they were all still on the table. It was surreal and even led to some laughter in disbelief at what we were hearing."
21st November 2012
The Conservation Volunteers have organised another fantastic opportunity to get some gentle exercise with a second healthy walk, this one in Hampden Park.
The group meets every Tuesday, from 10.30am - 11.30am, outside the Lakeside Tea Chalet on Hampden Park Drive.
2nd September 2012
Shinewater Healthy Walk
A fantastic opportunity to get some gentle exercise, get fitter and tone-up for FREE.
A short friendly walk in the fresh air, meeting new people.
Every Friday, 10:30-11:30am.
Meet outside the Co-op in Milfoil Drive.
For more information, contact Paula Hubens:
07740-899559
E-mail Paula
17th August 2012
Gentle Exercise Classes at the Venton Centre
Would you like to learn a simple set of exercises to help reduce stress, tension and improve your health and vitality?
Qigong Shibashi can help you achieve this. Gentle, slow graceful movements practised by millions worldwide to enhance and promote good health.
Movements can be adapted to suit everybody and are also beneficial for those who wish to remain seated.
The class meets on Wednesdays from 3 - 4 pm at the Venton Centre - Cost £3
Why not give it a try and improve your health?
To register your interest please contact reception at Age Concern Eastbourne on 01323-638474.
26th June 2012
Health and Well-being in East Sussex – have your say!
The East Sussex Health and Well-being Board have launched a consultation to help develop a Health and Well-being Strategy for the county.
A consultation document Healthy Lives, Healthy People sets out the Board’s vision and the priorities it proposes to focus on over the next three years.
You can download a copy of the consultation document and survey or fill in an online survey via the website. A two page summary of the consultation document and Easy Read versions of the priorities and survey are available. A supporting information document is also available for those interested in the strategy development process and evidence base.
The Board are interested in the views of everyone – residents, patients, service users, carers, commissioners and service providers – about whether they have chosen the best areas on which to concentrate their efforts over the next three years.
I do hope you will take part in this important consultation and help to promote it by sending details on to anyone you know who is interested or involved in promoting health and well-being in the county.
The consultation closes on 14 September 2012. There will be a chance to comment on the draft strategy when it is published in October. A final strategy and action plan will be published in December.
30th May 2012
Cervical Screening Awareness Week 2012
Cervical Screening Awareness Week (CSAW) takes place between 10 -16 June 2012. The week is a UK wide initiative lead by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and aims to highlight the importance cervical screening plays in the prevention of cervical cancer.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK’s only charity solely focussing on offering support and information to those affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. It also run UK wide awareness and prevention campaigns and is hugely grateful to the support it receive from many health professionals who have promoted previous Awareness Weeks.
- A number of information materials are provide free of charge – you can see a full range on the online resource centre. Should you wish to order materials you can do this directly from the website, send an email to info@jostrust.org.uk or call 020 7936 7498.
- Applications are open for the 3rd year of the Cervical Screening Awards. The Awards aim to find the best local cervical screening campaigns. To find out more about the awards and how to apply go to:
www.jostrust.org.uk/screeningawards. - During CSAW the charity will be undertaking a number of initiatives including running a UK wide prevention campaign - more details will be revealed about the campaign towards the end of May and announced on the CSAW website page.
The week will be rounded off by the annual 5k sponsored Walk for Fun on Saturday 16 June. Walks will take place in eight different locations across the UK: Cardiff, Dundee, Gateshead, London, Manchester, Peterborough and Southampton.
1st February 2012
Your Personal Best
Your Personal Best is a national awareness campaign developed and funded by GSK, official laboratory services provider for London 2012, in association with NHS London. It aims to inspire the 7.78 million people over 55 with long term health conditions in the UK to lead a more active lifestyle.
Keeping active can be a challenge if you have a long term health condition, but it can make a significant difference to your health and well-being and may also ease your symptoms.
If you feel like your condition is holding you back from leading a more active lifestyle and you are over 55 years old, then the Your Personal Best campaign, inspired by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, is here to help you with simple advice on how to become more active.
TV personality and dance coach Len Goodman and TV presenter Arlene Phillips are the celebrity faces of Your Personal Best.
7th January 2012
Ladies Keep Fit Classes
Eastbourne Cultural Communities Network is offering Keep Fit Classes for ladies at the Central Methodist Church, Langley Road, Eastbourne on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm.
Classes are run by experienced instructors, to International music, at a cost of just £2 per session.
For more information, call 01323-735772 or 07773-844732.
25th November 2011
Sovereign Harbour Medical Centre to Open
The new Sovereign Harbour Medical Centre will be opening on Wednesday, 7th December 2011. The current premises at 2 Barrier Reef Way will continue to provide patient services until 6.30 pm on Monday, 5th December 2011. The following day, Tuesday, 6th December 2011, the Practice will be closed.
There will be a public open day to visit the new Health Centre for a guided tour on Saturday 17th December 2011 from 10a.m. until 2p.m, this is open to everyone, patients as well as non patients. It will be a visitors' day only, so no medical appointments can be offered for that day.
Dr Adoki and his staff would like to take this opportunity to thank Sovereign Harbour residents for their patience, and for their personal and public support for this project over the years, which has led to this new centre finally being built.
They look forward to continuing to serve the local community.
24th August 2011
Warm Aqua
Gentle exercise in a warm pool, led by an experienced instructor.
Improve your stamina, suppleness and strength. Very good for easing stiff joints and providing greater mobility.
Enhance your sleep and quality of rest.
Every Monday and Friday morning, at the Best Western Hotel, York House, Royal Parade.
For more information, call Virginia: 07530-355841
28th June 2011
East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre needs Volunteers
The East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre provides many services for people with hearing loss, and its volunteers help out in several different ways in their local areas.
Its main role is providing hearing aid maintenance (all training and equipment provided), but volunteers are also needed to help with Hard of Hearing Groups and Deafblind Groups.
For more information, please contact the Volunteer Development Manager, Janice Brown, at 8 St Leonard's Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3UH.
Tel: 01323 722505 (voice/text/fax)
E-mail Janice
Website
18th April 2011
Volunteers Required for Research Project.
Do you have pain in your leg that is coming from your spine?
Volunteers are required to participate in one or two studies looking at measurements of nerve function and movement. These studies will help to contribute to the assessment and management of people with back and leg pain.
Would you be prepared to commit to 1½ hours of your time to visit the Human Movement laboratory at Eastbourne?
To participate in one or both studies, please contact Colette on 01273 643686 or e-mail Colette
Colette Ridehalgh (MSc, MCSP, MMACP),
Senior Lecturer,
School of Health Professions,
University of Brighton,
Robert Dodd Building,
Darley Rd,
Eastbourne,
BN20 7UR
9th April 2011
Directory of Counsellors and Physiotherapists
A website has been set up, the purpose of which is to ultimately provide the UK with a huge counselling support network, enabling those in distress to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service that will hopefully encourage those in distress to seek help.
The website also contains a number of sections on emotional disorders (types of distress section) and provides some useful statistics.
Every counsellor on the site who has submitted their profile has either sent a copy of their qualifications and insurance cover to us, or is registered with a professional body online with recognised codes of ethics and practice, this way we can be assured of their professionalism
22nd February 2011
East Sussex Wheelchair Service User Group
The group provides a proactive link between users, carers, parents of children who use the service and the service providers and commissioners.
It aims to
• To work in partnership with the East Sussex Wheelchair and Special Seating Service to develop high quality standards and practices.
• To Inform the East Sussex Wheelchair and Special Seating Service on issues that affect wheelchair users in the county and feedback users experience of the Service.
• To host an internet discussion board and a weekly chat room
• To hold user surveys, produce reports and make recommendations to the East Sussex Wheelchair and Special Seating Service.
• To hold meetings and organise focus groups. Registration as a member is free of charge.
Registration forms are available on receipt of a stamped self addressed envelope from:
East Sussex Wheelchair Service Users Group,
Hastings and Rother PCT,
Bexhill Hospital,
Holliers Hill,
Bexhill-on-Sea,
East Sussex TN40 2DZ.
or by e-mail > >
10th February 2011
Move It or Lose It
Julie Robinson (B. Ed in Physical Education, NVQ II and III in chair based exercises and Extend), specialist teacher of exercise for older or less able people has produced a DVD, 'Move It or Lose It' to help people who would normally find exercise difficult.
Julie said: “The idea for this DVD comes from my clients. From classes in community centres to retirement homes, from Age Concern projects to hospice courses, so many people have said they want to follow the routines at home but can’t remember what to do! So the first Move it or Lose it routine is aimed at those who need to exercise safely whilst seated so they can build their strength, mobility and confidence.”
The DVD, which costs £10.00 (plus £1.50 p&p) can be purchased online from the Move It or Lose It website or by cheque (£11.50 per DVD including P&P) - payable to Move it or Lose it Ltd sent to:
PO BOX 15200,
Birmingham, B42 9GA.
Please remember to include your delivery address if you send a cheque:
More information: 0800 612 0450 - your call is free.
Website > >
13th January 2011
Loving and Sex for Older Adults
There is a common belief that your sex drive simply disappears as you get older. In reality many older people remain interested in sex. It can play an important role in their life, whether they are in a long term relationship or are embarking on a new one.
A healthy sex life is more than the physical activity, sex can also help people to feel wanted, trusted, treasured and alive.
Download NHS Health Promotion leaflet > >
22nd December 2010
New Health Centre for Sovereign harbour
This morning, the Harbour Medical Practice (Drs Adoki and Cookey), purchased the site of the new health centre from Carillion plc. The site is across Pacific Drive from the temporary surgery, between the temporary car park and the roundabout.
Also this morning, Carillion plc has let a contract with builders Construction Partnership Limited of Hamble Hampshire to remove the spoil from behind the temporary car park and off the site of the new medical centre. A little of the spoil will be used to build up the medical centre site and the rest will be retained elsewhere on the adjacent site; there is to be no mass movement of spoil from off the site. The actual earth moving will be carried out by a specialist sub-contractor working under Construction partnership's direction and will begin in early January.
The same firm are also to contract with the Harbour Medical Practice for the construction of the centre itself and that work will begin shortly afterwards, later in January
18th October 2010
Statins: The new Normal?
Statins are widely used in the UK, so much so that taking these preventive drugs now seems to be the norm for people over 50.
Researchers at the Universities of Sussex are interested in investigating the experience of people taking statins for heart health, especially at the ‘low’ doses of 10mg or 20mg, whether bought over the counter in pharmacies, or prescribed by a doctor.
They would like to arrange interviews to talk about the things that prompted you to take these drugs and your experiences with them. These interviews could be arranged at a time and place to suit you (they would come to you) and they can give a small sum (£25) to recognise the time and effort that this might involve.
If you are interested in taking part please contact Dr Catherine Will by email or by phone on 01273-678449."
7th October 2010
Resumption of Age Concern East Sussex’s Toenail Cutting Service
We have received this letter from Tracy Whittle, Health & Community Development Manager for AgeUK.
"Further to my earlier letter in July, I am writing to update you on the outcome of the Service review.
I am pleased to announce that Age Concern East Sussex will be registering its Toenail Cutting Service with the Care Quality Commission.
Previously we had been informed that as new providers this process could take up to 12 weeks. However, we have recently been notified that we can resume the Service as soon as the Care Quality Commission is in receipt of the registration documents.
As we anticipate this process to be completed over the next few weeks, we should be able to resume the home visiting aspect of the Toenail Cutting Service by the 31st October.
Please note that as the home visiting service is suspended up to that point, all new referrals will be placed on a waiting list. Toenail cutting at venues remains unaffected."
To make a referral for toenail cutting please contact Helen Doran, Toenail Cutting Service Coordinator.
Telephone: (01273) 476704 ext. 230
E-mail Helen
8th September 2010
The Over Fifty-Fives (TOFFs)
The Eastbourne campus of Brighton University has a special membership option for the general public in its TOFFs programme. The Programme specifically caters for local residents over the age of fifty five. This includes exclusive classes, pool and gym times as well as other health and well being initiatives.
- 25m swimming pool with 3m deep end. See the TOFF's timetable above for exclusive times. See the timetable for the most up to date programme.
- Large 6 court sports hall marked for badminton, basketball and volleyball.
- 36 Station Fitness suite with a designated cardiovascular area packed with bikes, treadmills, and rowers, cross-trainers and steppers. Free weights range from 2-40kg with 15 resistance stations.
- 30 Seat Meeting room with direct access to the Sports Hall and extensive foyer. Full multi-media integration.
- Artificial outdoor pitch. Marked for Football, Hockey and Lacrosse.
- Three gymnasiums available for exercise classes, badminton, football, basketball, gymnastics, children’s parties.
- Range of exercise classes and open pay and play swim qualification and sport sessions available.
- A fantastic restaurant on site offering teas, coffees and meals.
- Health Assessments measuring Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Body Composition.
- Personal fitness programmes are available with a fitness professionals.
28th June 2010
Taking Care of Your Hearing Aid
According to The Royal National Institute for Deaf People, there are in total 8,945,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK and in total 1.4m wear some type of hearing aid on a daily basis. Hearing aids are innovative micro-computers which could cost up to £1,500. To ensure you get many years use out of the device, correct care and maintenance should be a priority.
How to care for your hearing aid > >
25th May 2010
Health and Well-being Facts and Figures
- A man aged 65 living in the South East can expect to live another 18.4 years, a woman 21 years - the highest life expectancy in England.
- The main cause of death in the South East for those aged 65 to 74 is cancer, for those aged 75 and over it is circulatory disease.
- An estimated 20% of men and 28% of women aged 65 and over in the South East have one or more falls each year, the second and third lowest figures respectively in England.
- According to GP records, over 36,700 people in the South East have been diagnosed with dementia: however, based on estimates in the National Dementia Strategy, there are more likely to be 92,700 people in the region with dementia.
- It is estimated that only 35% of people aged 65 and over in the South East consume the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
26th March 2010
Thrombolysis to be available 24/7 from 1st April
ESF was proactive on your behalf in making representations to the local NHS Trust on the issue of the limited availability of essential drugs for stroke victims. We are, therefore, delighted that it has been reported in the latest HOSC newsletter that the 'clot busting' medication, Thrombolysis, will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from 1st April 2010.
Also in the HOSC newsletter:
- Mental health proposals out for consultation
- HOSC to monitor maternity progress
- Stroke care recommendations on track
- Radiotherapy could be coming to East Sussex
- Mental health development looks secure
- Rural health report now available
Health and Well-being Focus Group launched
On Tuesday 17th March, the Eastbourne Seniors Forum (ESF) successfully launched its Health and Well-being Focus Group at Eastbourne’s Congress Suite. The event, which was supported by about 25 exhibitors from the private and public sector, featured two performances by the Pyramid Theatre Company of Pete Lawson’s play “Big Little Heart”. Not only was the event well attended by members, but 40 people took the opportunity to join the ESF at the event.
Members watching the performance
The play follows the fight by Maria to recover from the devastating effects of a stroke and the pressures and impact that her illness has on her husband Andy and daughter Lindsay. It shows how by adjusting to their new circumstances and working together the family supports Maria’s recovery to a near normal life. All parts of the play are performed by three actors, Katrina Beckford, Shaun McGowan and Anna Vickers. Following the performance, members of the audience were given the opportunity to question the cast members, in character, about their experiences during the period.
Katrina Beckford, Shaun McGowan and Anna Vickers
The packed audience was joined for the morning performance by the Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Cllr. David Tutt and his colleague Cllr. Carolyn Heaps, both of whom were moved by the emotional and emotive performances.
Steve Thornett and Cllrs. Tutt and Heaps enter into the spirit of the day
Later in the day, the Mayor and Mayoress of Eastbourne, Cllr and Mrs Greg Szanto paid a visit to the event to meet the members and tour the exhibits.
The Mayor and Mayoress visiting the WRVS display
After the performance Cllr. Tutt said: "I was pleased to be able to attend the Seniors Forum and see the performance of the Pyramid Theatre Company. This was not only extremely powerful but also amusing and thought provoking. It did much to raise awareness of the impact that a stroke can have on both the individual concerned and their family. I congratulate both the players and the Forum for staging it.
I have also been invited to attend the ESF AGM in July to say a few words about some of the initiatives that the Borough Council are taking and to answer and questions Forum members may have, this I will be delighted to do. If there are any specific issues members would like me to address, please let me know either by e-mail councillor.tutt@eastbourne.gov.uk or by writing to me at the Town Hall, Grove Road Eastbourne BN21 4UG
Do you have a complaint about private dental care?
Free and UK-wide, the Dental Complaints Service, which has been set up and is funded by the body that regulates UK dental professionals, works with you and your dental practitioner to put things right. Call its local rate hotline 08456-120540 to speak to a friendly adviser, or visit the Dental Complaints website
The Dental Complaints Service is an independent service funded by the General Dental Council.
Download HOSC newsletter ESF joins ESSA in discussions with CSCI inspector
A New Health Centre for Eastbourne