Health

[SteveH]

 TIME TO TALK

Conwy Mind, the local mental health charity for Conwy County, will be holding a drop-in event for people to come and have a chat and learn more about their services. Conwy Mind offer a range of free services from 1-1 support groups and activities.

The team wants to ensure that people know that they are there for them and know about the services they offer. If you'd like to have a chat (and a brew!) with the team in person, head to their Time to Talk Day event at Ink Gallery.

Date: Thursday, February 1
Time: 11am to 1pm
Cost: Free
Location: Ink Gallery, Colwyn Bay, LL29 7RS

Time To Talk Day is the nation's biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it's a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

To contact the team at Conwy Mind, call 01492 879907 or email info@conwymind.org.uk

[SteveH]

Whooping cough map highlights North Wales county as Wales becomes infections epicentre
A map has revealed where cases of whooping cough, which can be life-threatening for babies, are highest in Wales as people are urged to get vaccinated by doctors

A North Wales county is showing a high number of cases of a highly contagious disease, sometimes known as the ?100-day cough?.

Whooping cough cases are soaring across the UK, with Wales the current epicentre for infections. Swansea has seen more cases than anywhere else in England and Wales so far this year. But Flintshire in North Wales has also recorded a high number, not far behind the South Wales city

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/whooping-cough-map-highlights-north-28529954?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Treatments for seven conditions such as sore throats and earaches are now available directly from pharmacists, without the need to visit a doctor.

The Pharmacy First scheme will allow most chemists in England to issue prescriptions to patients without appointments or referrals.

It will save GP surgeries an estimated 10 million appointments a year (3.3%).

Pharmacy groups welcome the move but there is concern about funding and recent chemist closures.

Pharmacists can carry out confidential consultations and advise whether any treatment, including antibiotics, are needed for the list of seven minor ailments.

Patients needing more specialist or follow-up care will be referred onwards.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68139870

[SteveH]

You would think we would have learned to be more aware of spreading infections after the last few years, if you have cold or flu symptoms and have to mix with others...........wear a mask 

The number of people in hospital with flu and norovirus has hit a new high for this winter

Latest NHS figures show 2,226 beds were taken up by flu patients each day last week, up 70% in a month.

But the number in hospital with Covid dipped slightly, and surveillance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed rates were "broadly stable".

The NHS said the data showed it was still "in the thick of a challenging winter".

"Last week was evidence of why the NHS needed to grow its core bed numbers," said Prof Julian Redhead, NHS England's clinical director for urgent and emergency care.

The NHS said this month that it had met its target to increase the number of core hospital beds in England by 5,000 to 99,864.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68167022

[SteveH]

Top Welsh medic warns of 'life changing complications' for some children from measles if parents don't act now

'We need to ensure that those at risk in our communities are protected against potentially life-threatening viral infections like measles and whooping cough'

Wales? chief medical officer ? Sir Frank Atherton ? is calling on parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against measles and are up to date with their other childhood immunisations.

Welsh health chiefs are warning that outbreaks of measles could become more frequent in Wales, unless urgent action is taken to increase measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), vaccination across the country. Sir Frank has warned it is essential that uptake of a full course (2 doses) of the MMR vaccine is increased to 95%, the target set by the World Health Organisation, to protect Welsh communities from a potentially devastating outbreak.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/health/top-welsh-medic-warns-life-28557793

[SteveH]

NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help if you're struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS.

You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP, or a GP can refer you.

Help is available in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course.

Find an NHS talking therapies service...https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/

[SteveH]

Sorry a bit morbid first thing in the morning, but it is good to be aware of these things...............

Bowel cancer rates surge in under 50s, experts say screening age should be lower
Here's what you can do to lower your risk of developing the disease as the NHS is accused of lagging behind other countries

Bowel cancer is a widespread issue in the UK, affecting around 1-in-15 men and 1-in-18 women. It is also ranked as the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths,

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/bowel-cancer-rates-surge-in-under-50s-experts-say-screening-age-should-be-lower/

[SteveH]

Whooping cough on the rise with nearly 1,000 cases reported - see numbers near you
Richard Ault and Kieren Williams report that the UK has recorded its highest weekly count since before the pandemic

In the first four weeks of 2024, nearly a thousand cases of the '100-day cough' have been reported, which is more than 20 times the number during the same period last year. Just last week, there were 319 suspected cases of whooping cough, marking a 20% increase from the previous week and the highest weekly count since before the pandemic.

So far this year, there have been almost 979 cases, a significant rise from the 44 cases reported in the first four weeks of last year. The data, provided by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), only includes figures from GPs who have sent statutory notices after diagnosing a suspected case.

Cases from individuals who are managing symptoms at home or seeking private healthcare are not included, suggesting the actual number may be higher.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/whooping-cough-cases-on-the-rise-with-nearly-1-000-cases-reported-see-numbers-in-your-region/

[SteveH]

Health chiefs are urging people to get themselves vaccinated, amid concerns flu and Covid infections are still circulating in communities across North Wales. There are also concerns over the levels of measles and whooping cough.

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board statement said, during the last four weeks more than 200 inpatients at hospitals have tested positive for flu - the highest level since the first week of January 2023. The health board said: "The best way for vulnerable people to protect themselves against the serious illness caused by Covid-19 and flu is to get the Covid-19 autumn booster and annual flu vaccine.

"The vaccines can prevent you getting the viruses, lessen the severity of symptoms if you do, and reduce your chances of passing them on. They also help to protect the wider community from outbreaks, and reduce the pressure on local NHS services.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rise-cases-flu-covid-measles-28637561

[SteveH]

As temperatures drop, the temptation to whack on the heating only grows - but what temperature should your house actually be?

You might be surprised to hear that there's an optimum temperature for your house - and the ideal conditions actually differ between your bedroom and living space.

In fact, our central heating can have a considerable impact on our health which goes beyond the struggle of keeping warm in winter - especially for those with existing health conditions.

With more and more of us giving in and turning up the heating this winter, a GP has issued a warning to Brits about not turning their thermostats above these temperatures.

full article  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24142574.temperature-uk-house-gp-issues-warning/

[SteveH]

The 'simple' sponge-on-a-string test that cuts wait times for cancer diagnosis
The test sees patients swallowing a capsule-shaped device that contains a small sponge

A new test trialled by the NHS has cut the need for endoscopies for thousands of people, meaning high-risk patients have better access to appointments. A 'simple' and 'incredibly efficient' sponge-on-a-string test means many low-risk patients will no longer need an endoscopy.

An NHS pilot tested more than 8,500 people, with around eight in 10 discharged without requiring further tests. It means that endoscopy capacity for higher-risk patients and people referred for urgent tests would improve. The test sees patients swallowing a small capsule-shaped device with a tiny sponge that gathers cell samples before it is then extracted via a string attached to the sponge.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/the-simple-sponge-on-a-string-test-that-cuts-wait-times-for-cancer-diagnosis/

[SteveH]

More than 2,500 suspected whooping cough infections have been diagnosed by GPs so far in 2024 after a spike in cases.

This is according to the latest figures by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in their notifications of infectious diseases (NOIDs) report.

Health and nutrition experts from Verve have shared all you need to know about the illness, its symptoms and top tips for building your immune system.....cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24174627.whooping-cough-cases-rise-uk---symptoms-guidance/

[SteveH]

Young people across the UK are being urged to have their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine following a rise in measles cases.

At the start of the year, the West Midlands saw the highest number of people with measles since the 1990s, health officials said.

There have been 733 cases of measles in England since October last year, two months ago this figure was 133.

The NHS is now urging more than 900,000 adults aged 19-25 who have not yet had the jab to take part in a catch-up campaign.

These youngsters would have been eligible for a jab when the vaccination rates began to fall in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Take up of the MMR jab started to drop following a 1998 report by Andrew Wakefield which falsely linked the jab with autism, according to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 2023 measles briefing document.

Now vaccine coverage is the lowest it has been for more than a decade, with just 85% of youngsters having both doses of the jab before they start school aged five.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6pkjyznjw8o

[Ian]

Take up of the MMR jab started to drop following a 1998 report by Andrew Wakefield which falsely linked the jab with autism, according to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 2023 measles briefing document.

It's worth reading the complete Wiki article on this. Suffice to say, Wakefield was struck off when it was discovered he stood to make millions if the MMR vaccine was withdrawn, consistently fabricated evidence and tried to sue several organisations and people, later withdrawing every action he had started other than those dismissed by the courts.

Sadly, there are still many gullible people who continue to believe his lies and falsifications. Their gullibility has led to the deaths of children.

[SteveH]

New health centre and coffee bar proving major success in seaside town
LVL5 Gyms Ltd took on the units next to the new town centre Premier Inn in Llandudno

A new health and exercise complex in Llandudno has proved a major success after taking on empty units originally earmarked for retail and restaurants. LVL5 Gyms Ltd took on the units next to the new town centre Premier Inn that replaced the Tudno Castle hotel.

The 6,000 square-metre two-floor facility had been vacant before directors Sion Pritchard and Rich Blake snapped up the premises. They transformed the building into a state-of-the-art, high-quality gym, complete with coffee and smoothie bar, sauna, changing rooms, and retail store.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-health-centre-coffee-bar-28850932