Healthcare August 2006

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:53 pm

Page 1

Healthy Living Partnership

August 2006

Cardiac Care

Healthy Eating

Health Care

- Getting closer to communities

Living with pain

Pfizer and Birmingham OwnHealth

ÂŁ1.50

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:17 pm

Page 2

High blood pressure is a silent killer.

By identifying it, Pharmacists can help to save the lives of thousands.

Name

Sign up for what you believe in Pharmacy Managers & Pharmacists Attractive package including 2 days’ CPD study leave, bonus scheme & flexible benefits Opportunities Nationwide A potential time bomb that some 16 million people are living with, high blood pressure rarely has any symptoms. As the first pharmacy to offer free blood pressure testing, at Lloydspharmacy, we’ve been unmasking this silent killer since November 2003. In fact, we’ve tested 330,000 people, 39,000 of which have been referred to their GPs. It’s not the only way we’ve championed the health of the local communities we serve. Free diabetes testing. Private consultation rooms. Whilst many would say they’re good ideas, our actions speak louder than words. If you like the idea of a business that puts pharmacy first, call freephone 0800 917 8870 or visit www.lloydspharmacy.com/careers for a full list of our current vacancies.

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:20 pm

Page 3

Health Care

Foreword taff across the NHS are currently making major changes so that your local NHS services will be better placed to promote health improvement, reduce inequalities and secure safe, convenient, high quality and culturally sensitive services for you and those you care for.

These changes, backed by investment and commitment, should ensure that you are served better – no matter what your background or community. This is important as some minority ethnic communities can be hit hard by particular illnesses and conditions. For example, we know that rates of infant mortality, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and diabetes are significantly higher in Asian, African and Caribbean communities in England.

At the same time, we need to be fully committed to ensuring that NHS organisations are employers of choice. By that I mean we have a set of organisations that recruit and develop staff fairly, taking appropriate positive action wherever necessary, so that talented people choose to join, remain and develop with the NHS. Patients are more likely to receive the services they need if staff are not only competent but are culturally-sensitive and drawn representatively from the population served.

We have listened extensively to what people want from their local NHS. The proposals set out in the new community services White Paper Our health, our care, our say are designed to reduce inequalities and help areas of deprivation. During the public listening exercise there was a strong drive to hear everyone’s views and special events were held to ensure we captured the views of people from black and minority ethnic groups. As the Department of Health implements its policies over the next few years we are committed to assessing the impact these changes will have on black and minority ethnic communities.

Your NHS is changing. We are building a service that is flexible, efficient and meets your needs, whatever your background. We are developing services that put you in control.

S

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

Surinder Sharma National Director of Equality and Human Rights Department of Health

3

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:20 pm

Page 4

Health Care

Comment

ealth related issues have always been a matter of priority for Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar and rightly so. After all, health issues affect communities with far reaching consequences, and one of the key measures of a nation’s well-being is the health of its people.

It is for this reason that we always have regular columns dedicated to various health issues - Health and Beauty in Asian Voice; Aarogya, Mahila and Jeevan Panth in Gujarat Samachar. In 2005, we launched Health Watch, a magazine that focuses on those health issues of particular relevance to the Asian community.

Healthcare in the UK has been going through changes and at a fast pace. The government has initiated a number of changes in response to the public’s call for better, faster and more convenient healthcare.

These changes are welcome, but does the public, more pertinently the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, know about the ongoing programmes and the benefits available to them?

It is my sincere hope that this special magazine will give a better picture of health services available within primary care. The focus is on primary care because this is usually the first and often the only point of contact that patients make with the health service.

Not only that, over the years we have seen several services moving from a hospital setting to a primary care setting.

Covered in this special issue are initiatives created by several primary care trusts across various parts of the country. I am especially thankful to Surinder Sharma, National Director of Equality and Human Rights, Department of Health for providing an overview of healthcare in the UK. I also take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the ABPL team led by Cecil Soans and Harish Dahya for their dedication in putting this magazine together.

The aim of HEALTHCARE is to bridge any gap in information that might exist between our readers and the ongoing changes, and if that aim is achieved, then the magazine will have served its purpose.

H

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

CB Patel Publisher / Editor Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

4

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:22 pm

Page 5

Health Care

The NHS now bigger, busier and better

T

We know that people are seeing the benefits of better services because they have told us. Regular surveys show that 81% of people who have been treated in hospital recently were satisfied with their last stay and 83% were satisfied with their last visit to their GP. In A&E 70% were satisfied with their last visit.

Why more change?

We are proud of the hard work of NHS staff and improvements so far. But there is more to do if the NHS is to make the long-lasting improvements that everyone wants.

We need to make sure we always put the patient first Society’s expectations are rising and people today want to be treated as individuals with their own personal needs, whatever their background. We are used to services that are tailored to suit our convenience.

Successful businesses work very hard to understand what their customers want, and go out of their way to provide it. Businesses that don’t deliver what their customers want– fail. Whilst you can’t directly compare the NHS with a business, it is important for the NHS to serve its patients well And NHS staff want to provide services that fit what people need, but until now have been hampered by a centrally-run health system that hasn’t always let staff put local patients first.

We need to make sure everyone has equal access to high-quality services There can be big differences in the quality of care people receive from different organisations and too many people still wait too long for treatment and tests.

More than 15 million people in this country have longterm health needs, but can’t always access the services they need in the way then need them. The quality and availability of services can be different depending on where people live, which isn’t fair. We need to make sure that everyone has access to the high-quality care

National Director of Equality and Human Rights Department of Health

they need, no matter who they are or where they live.

We need to make sure every penny is spent wisely The NHS must meet people’s rising expectations and everyone should be able to get the same high-quality services. At the same time, the NHS must also pay for new drugs and treatments as they are developed.

To meet these rising costs, and to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely, we need to make sure we get every penny of value from every pound we invest in the NHS.

A health service that keeps improving The changes underway will create a health service that always puts the patient first. A service that always thinks about what would be better for the patient, rather than what is easiest to organise or provide. One where the services available to people are continually striving to better meet their needs, circumstances and individual preferences.

People have a right to get the very best care in a way that is convenient to them and that treats them with respect and dignity. And that’s why we’re still making changes to the NHS – to safeguard it for the future and make sure it is always able to put the patient first.

People will notice the difference People will notice the difference, for example: Patients will be treated faster – by 2008 no one will wait longer than 18 weeks from referral by their GP to the start of treatment, including any tests or scans.

If their local service isn’t providing the quality of serv ice they want, they can choose to go elsewhere.

As well as more choice and control, people will have a greater say in their services. So, for example, GP’s surgeries will have to conduct surveys of their patients with questions on things like opening hours, and will have to make changes in response to the results.

Services will be more convenient, available closer to home, and at times that suit patients. New, modern NHS community hospitals will provide tests and scans, day surgery, specialist clinics and social services and outpatient facilities that are closer to our homes and workplaces. There will be better access to out-of-hours, mental and sexual health services There will be more information about the services

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

he NHS has had lots of extra investment in recent years and has begun to improve the way it works.

Because of this, it is bigger, busier and better than ever: Waiting lists are at their lowest since records began 19 out of 20 people at A&E are seen, treated, taken into hospital or able to go home within four hours – much quicker than it used to be Tens of thousands of lives are being saved from the big killers of cancer and heart disease

By Surinder Sharma

5

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:24 pm

Page 6

Health Care available to people, helping them to make them most of them.

People won’t have to keep giving details about their condition to different parts of the NHS and social care – the system will be more joined-up.

Staying healthy will become easier as their GP will help them to manage and protect their own health and well-being.

There will be less unnecessary bureaucracy so that time is freed up for NHS front line staff to focus on what they do best – treating patients.

Knowing you’re being looked after properly There will be strong rules and safeguards to make sure that all of the services available meet or exceed the same high-quality standards. They will make sure that the system is fair to everyone. State-of-the-art IT systems will make sure GPs and hospital staff can access to the information they need, when and where they need it, improving safety, quality and convenience.

How will the changes work?

Community health and social care

Choice: Selecting the service to suit you Patients will have more choice about where to go if they need treatment or care. Some people say that they just want a good local GP and hospital. We want everyone to have that. But people should be able to choose somewhere else if they want to. When patients are offered a choice, quite a lot choose to go somewhere that’s not the nearest option for them - for quite personal reasons, like being near to family.

A lot of the changes so far have happened in hospitals. But nearly 90% of what the NHS does and almost all social care takes place in the community , in GP practices, healthcare centres and residential care so on, and in peoples homes. We are introducing changes to make sure that all these services also listen better to patients and service users, and are more flexible, put people in control and provide services that suit their needs. We are bringing NHS staff – such as community nurses and GPs – and social care service closer together so that they work better as a team. It is better for patients and service users if they don’t have to keep telling the same story over again. The changes mean:

More personalised care, information and support that is convenient to patients and users

More services closer to where people live and more convenient, for example polyclinics, where GP services are on the same site as a pharmacy and social services

Local councils and the NHS working better together and the existing barriers between different organisations being broken down

Keeping people out of hospital by better care at home

Giving people more control and choice about their health and care

Focusing on prevention as much as cure.

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

Choice: Improving services for everyone Giving patients choice will also improve standards across the NHS – making it more likely that people will have a good local GP and hospital. Part of the changes mean that healthcare providers get paid a set amount for the care given to each person they treat, rather than getting a lump sum each year. This means that they will have an incentive to attract patients.

People will have information about the crucial things like clinical standards and cleanliness and also about the other things such as car parking, canteens or creche facilities. This means that providers will have to focus on the things that matter to patients, making the whole experience more comfortable and convenient.

Because prices are nationally set, when providers are competing with each other to attract patients they can only do it by improving services, there is no way they can undercut each other on price. Efficient organisations that attract patients will thrive and be able to reinvest reserves back in to patient care. Organisations that are wasteful, or do not meet patients’ needs will be forced to change. If they don’t, they will be replaced by other, better services.

Change is hard and many local services have been around a long time and are much-loved. But it isn’t fair if unpopular or wasteful services keep going as they are because it means that there is less money available for patients to be treated at well-run organisations.

6

A wider selection of services There will be a wider selection of services to choose from, including local NHS services, NHS Foundation Trusts, and services from the private and voluntary sectors. The new services being introduced from outside the NHS, while only making up a small proportion, bring in fresh ideas and help improve qual-

ity, as well as reduce waiting times. mobile cataract treatment centres.

For example,

The NHS has already begun changing the way your family doctor and the organisations that manage NHS services in your area work together to make sure you get the services you need in the right place at the right time. These changes will help you have more say about what services you want in your community, by giving your family doctor and the other staff who care for you more control of the purse strings.

Your local dental service NHS dentistry is changing to provide better access to high quality services and a new simpler charging system

There are now more dentists in the NHS than ever before, and the equivalent of an extra 1,450 whole time dentists have joined the NHS so more people can see a dentist

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:25 pm

Page 7

Health Care

There will be three standard charges for all NHS dental treatment. This will make it easier to know how much you need to pay. The maximum charge for a complete course of treatment has been reduced from £384 to £189. Most courses of treatment will cost £15.50 or £42.40. You will still receive the same standard of treatment and care from your dentist (and free NHS dental treatment for those who meet the exemption criteria).

If your dentist provides NHS services they should have a poster about the charges on display in their practice. You can also find out more from:

NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, press the red button on your digital satellite TV handset or phone 0845 4647 which also offers a translation service where appropriate.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service or visit www.pals.nhs.uk.

British Dental Health Foundation – dental helpline 0845 063 1188 or www.dentalhealth.org.uk.

Advertising Managers: Alka Shah, Kishor Parmar Business Development Managers: Urja Patel, Cecil Soans Senior Advertising Sales Executive: L George Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Design/Layout: Harish Dahya, Deepti Arjan & Ajay Kumar Customer Service: Dipti Parikh Editor/Publisher: CB Patel Managing Editor: Jyotsna Shah Executive Editor: Kokila Patel News Editor: Kamal Rao

Editor/Publisher: CB Patel Associate Editor: Anne Hoose Deputy Editor: Payal Nair Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market (off Coronet Street), London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 Fax: 020 7749 4081

Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com www.abplgroup.com

SIGMA PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Chemist Wholesalers & Distributors Your one stop distributor for best deals and service on Generics, Parallel Imports, OTC’s etc..

Also we offer other Services:

SIGMA OSTOMY

PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

SIGMOBILITY

PARALLEL IMPORT PACKAGING

UNIT 1 – 7 COLONIAL WAY, WATFORD, HERTS, WD24 4YR FREEFONE: 0800 59 74462 www.sigpharm.co.uk

FREEFAX: 0800 59 74439 info@sigpharm.co.uk

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

So… The NHS has a great tradition in this country going back nearly 60 years, to provide top quality care, with equal access for all, based on people’s needs and not their ability to pay. The staff working in the NHS always want to do their very best for patients and we have gone a long way to improving hospital care from what it was 10 or 20 years ago. But much more now needs to be done and we are not complacent. The changes we are introducing will make sure that patients are always our top priority and that the NHS is fit for what people have a right to expect in the 21st century. This means better value for taxpayers, better morale for staff and most importantly, better care for patients.

We have increased funding to NHS dentistry by £250 million over the last two years – with another £65 million to follow this year (2006) In some parts of the country there are now dental services that physically weren't there last year

©Asian Business Publications Ltd

7

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:27 pm

Page 8

Health Care

Sigmobilty igma Pharmaceuticals launches a unique mobility aid hire and supply service, exclusively for pharmacy under its new subsidiary “Sigmobility “ banner.

At a time when retail pharmacy’s margins and sales are under considerable pressure, Sigma pharmaceuticals of Watford are providing a new opportunity for the retail pharmacist to grow their businesses and to become involved in a new, unique and profitable professional area of business.

Sigma believes that with the growing aged population in our communities, the provision of mobility/rehabilitation aids and home care products for the elderly and disabled is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growth sectors of business in the UK and one which retail pharmacy cannot afford to ignore. It is in fact estimated that this sector of business could represent an opportunity to pharmacy of a market valued at over £200 million!!

Retail pharmacy, with its unique situation within the community and special pharmacist/customer relationship is ideally positioned to take advantage of this opportunity in providing a professional service at affordable cost to their customers.

Sigmobility’s mode of operation will be quite simple. The public will have the opportunity of being able to order a wide range of mobility equipment from the convenience of their local pharmacy. The pharmacy will order the item for same or latest next day delivery from Sigmobility for collection or delivery in turn to the customer.

The full range of Sigmobility products will extend from wheelchairs to electric scooters, commodes, and walkers, down to varieties of walking sticks and crutches. There will also be an extensive range of home care aids, as well as bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen aids.

The full range will be displayed in an extensive catalogue supplied to each pharmacy as well as being available “on line” at the www.sigmobility.co.uk website.

There will be no need for the pharmacy to carry expensive or bulky inventory making this an extremely attractive proposition for the retailer. Pharmacies will receive an extremely attractive margin from Sigmobility on the value of their Sigmobility sales and hiring services.

Existing Sigma customers will not need to open any new account in order to qualify for this service. New accounts will however be welcomed.

S

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

Hiring of mobility equipment:

8

The Sigmobility management realise that mobility equipment such as wheelchairs are expensive for the average consumer to purchase outright and lifestyle improving electric scooters are all but unaffordable in many cases, particularly the elderly. Sigmobility will

therefore provide a unique “hiring service”, again exclusively via the retail pharmacy.

Many elderly patients or their relatives are also reluctant to purchase expensive equipment outright. It is not known how long the equipment may be needed and the patient’s needs and requirements may change, leaving the patient or relative with an expensive unusable item. Sigmobility’s hire service fills this need.

Equipment may be hired on a monthly or even weekly basis on payment of a fully refundable deposit and affordable weekly payments.

Paperwork: To assist the retail pharmacist, Sigmobility will provide the pharmacy with easy to complete “Hire Agreement” forms for use in renting to the public.

Realising that the pharmacist’s time is limited, these forms will assist in keeping paperwork down to the minimum, yet cover the essentials needed.

PR and Publicity Sigmobility will be embarking on an extensive promotional and advertising campaign via local PCT’s, press and media. Doctor’s surgeries, Hospital outpatient departments, Care Homes, Post Offices and other public places will be targeted in a poster campaign promoting this service via Pharmacy.

All pharmacies will be provided with window posters promoting the service as well as a supply of promotional leaflets outlining the service for pharmacy distribution to the customer. Pharmacies will additionally be provided with attractive easy to use catalogues displaying the full range of Sigmobility products both for hire as well as for sale. (This information also being available via the website www.sigmobility.co.uk) Sigmobility will operate from Sigma pharmaceuticals’ site in Watford. Initial coverage will be within the M25 area and home counties but it is anticipated to “roll out” the service countrywide within a very short time.

Education It is anticipated by Sigmobility to hold a regular series of one evening educational seminars for interested pharmacists and their staff to provide education and training in the provision of mobility care for their customers. These have already attracted a considerable amount of interest and advance reservations. A full time Pharmacist and Occupational Therapist will be on call to provide pharmacists and patients with advice on the choice and use of mobility care products.

For further information contact Sigmobility on tel: 01923 444 999 or visit the website www.sigmobility.co.uk

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:28 pm

Page 9

Health Care

Lloydspharmacy: Supporting local communities

A

But what are they and how can they help you?

Diabetes testing - Diabetes has been described as a ‘major concern of epidemic proportions’ with one new person being diagnosed every 5 minutes. People from Black, African, Caribbean and South Asian communities are more likely to develop diabetes. Once someone is diagnosed with diabetes, they have the condition for life, and if poorly controlled, it can lead to serious problems of the heart, eyes, kidneys and nervous system. So, early diagnosis is vital. To date we’ve carried out over 830,000 free diabetes tests and referred over 41,000 of these patients to their GP. If you are in any doubt, about whether or not you are at risk, visit your local Lloydspharmacy for a free test, no appointment necessary.

Blood pressure testing – We have carried out over 1 million blood pressure tests since the service began 3 years ago. Anyone worried about their blood pressure being too high (or too low), can walk into a Lloydspharmacy and ask for a free test from the pharmacist or healthcare assistant who are both qualified to carry out the tests.

Prescription MOTs – If you live in England or

Director of Clinical Commercial Operations Lloydspharmacy

Wales and have been getting your medicines regularly from Lloydspharmacy, you can ask for a prescription MOT. This gives you the chance to discuss the medicines that you’re currently taking with the pharmacist to make sure you’re getting the maximum benefit from them.

Minor Ailment Schemes – Over time more of our pharmacists will be able to treat minor illnesses such as stomach problems, children’s ailments, coughs & colds, skin complaints and can provide pain relief under a Minor Ailment Scheme set up in conjunction with your local Primary Care Organisation. We are already offering this in some areas of the country and are looking to offer these schemes nationwide.

Advice on Healthy Lifestyles – We were the first chain to install private consultation rooms on a national scale giving you the chance to seek advice in private.

We were also the first retailer to stop selling sunscreens with sun protector factor SPF lower than 15 because that’s what the latest skin cancer research recommends. We’ve even taken the unusual step of advising customers to adopt a healthier diet before resorting to Vitamin and Mineral supplements.

So, next time you have any health questions or concerns, why not pop into a Lloydspharmacy for expert advice from our highly trained pharmacy staff.

To find your nearest Lloydspharmacy, visit www.lloydspharmacy.com

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

t Lloydspharmacy, we are committed to championing people’s health by focussing on conditions important to our customers. With over 1520 pharmacies nationwide, we are the largest pharmacy chain in the UK and are located in the heart of local communities.

We are continually developing and expanding services for our customers, offering them greater choice and access to healthcare advice outside the GP surgery. Key services currently on offer include free diabetes and blood pressure tests, medicine use reviews, minor ailment schemes and advice on healthy lifestyles.

Iqbal Gill

9

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:29 pm

Page 10

Health Care

Diabetes: are you at risk?

By Cate Lund Communications Manager Luton Teaching PCT

eople of Asian origin are at increased risk of developing diabetes. Luton teaching Primary Care Trust (Luton tPCT) is aware of this, and has a range of support and care available for people with diabetes who live in Luton. But many who have diabetes, haven’t yet had it diagnosed.

Please read on to find out more about this condition, and how it can be managed and treated – and even prevented from developing in the first place.

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

P

10

What is it?

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high. This happens when the insulin normally produced in a person’s body doesn’t work properly, or is absent. Insulin is a hormone that lets Luton PCT is responsible for the healthcare for people of all ages in Luton. glucose enter the body’s cells. In diadiabetes (including those of Asian origin), lifestyle manbetes, the glucose cannot get into the cells effectively, agement may allow them to avoid it entirely. The main so levels in the blood are raised. steps to take are: Approximately 3% of the UK population has been Reach and maintain a healthy weight (being overdiagnosed with diabetes, but it is believed that a furweight or obese, especially around the waist, is a major ther 1.4% of the population has diabetes without knowcause of type 2 diabetes and over 80% are overweight ing it. or obese at diagnosis) People of Asian origin are at increased risk of developing diabetes.

Be physically active There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. People who have type 1 don’t produce any insulin, What are the symptoms? so their diabetes is treated with insulin injections, supType 1 diabetes usually develops quickly, with plemented with lifestyle management. Type 2 occurs obvious symptoms. Type 2 tends to be slower in onset when the insulin produced is insufficient, or doesn’t and symptoms can be so mild that they go unnoticed. work properly. Type 2 is treated with lifestyle changes, In either case, symptoms can include: plus medication if and when it’s needed.

Increased thirst Type 2 is by far the more common form of diaGoing to the lavatory more than usual, especially at betes, accounting for 85% of all cases. Although it night tends to affect people of 40 or over, it can appear earExtreme fatigue lier in some ‘at risk’ groups, including people from an Loss of weight, muscle wasting Asian background, where it may occur from the age of Blurred vision 25 onwards. However, increasing levels of obesity in Slow healing of wounds the UK mean that type 2 diabetes is now being seen If you are concerned, you should see your doctor. in teenagers, even children.

Testing is simple, and it is important that you are diagDiabetes increases the risk of other health probnosed and start to manage your diabetes as quickly as lems, including eye damage, stroke, heart disease, kidpossible.

That way, you can lead a full and normal life ney damage and circulation problems. Effective man– if it’s managed effectively, there’s no reason why diaagement of diabetes will reduce the risk, so it is crucial betes should limit your ambitions. After all, Sir Steve that a diagnosis is made as early as possible and manRedgrave – five times Olympic gold medal winner - has agement is prioritised. diabetes.

For people who are at increased risk of type 2

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:29 pm

Page 11

Health Care

ries diabetes information in a range of languages.

A thriving local group, the Luton and District Voluntary Diabetes Support Group, meets regularly and runs a variety of events and meetings to keep people informed about diabetes and to help them manage their condition; contact Surjeet Soin on 01582 402467, or visit their website at www.lutondiabetes.co.uk. The group has lots of events coming up, including: 4 June: Diabetes awareness event at the Hindu Mandir, Heresford Road 10 June: Luton Lions will be offering diabetes screening in the Arndale Centre 11 June: Walk in the Park (in aid of Diabetes UK) in Stopsley: call Surjeet Soin for more information 14 June: Diabetes awareness event in the Arndale Centre The group is very active, so there are lots of things that you might want to get involved in. Recent events have included a highly successful awareness event at the Hindu Mandir in Heresford Road, diabetes screening in the Arndale Centre, a sponsored walk in the park (in aid of Diabetes UK) in Stopsley, and an awareness event in Luton town centre.

To hear more about diabetes services or any primary care services in the area, please get in touch with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service Officer on 01582 709134 or via our website at www.lutonpct.nhs.uk.

Community diabetics clinics and education sessions run regularly at the Luton Treatment Centre.

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

What is available in Luton?

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor and/or diabetes nurse will discuss your treatment with you and show you how to monitor your condition. You will learn about ways in which to manage your condition such as nutrition and exercise. Community diabetes clinics and education sessions, which include information on diet, are held at the Luton Treatment Centre in Vestry Close and are led by a specialist diabetes nurse and dietician, who can answer any questions and help with problems in managing diabetes on a day-to-day basis.

If you are at risk of developing diabetes, you can reduce your risk, and Luton PCT can help you. It is important to maintain a healthy weight and to keep active. This is important for people diagnosed with diabetes, too. You may qualify for ‘exercise on referral’ (speak to your GP or practice nurse about this), or take part in one of the exercise or healthy eating schemes that we run along with community groups and partner agencies throughout Luton (for which you don’t need a GP referral). You could join a healthy walk – these take place throughout Luton at various times, and they’re a fun way to meet people as well as to keep fit.

If losing weight is a priority for you, why not take a look at the ‘being a healthy weight’ pages on the Luton tPCT website (www.lutonpct.nhs.uk)? There’s lots of helpful information there on how to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, along with handy tools such as a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator, waist measurement chart and food-related information. And on the subject of food, Diabetes UK’s website (www.diabetes.org.uk) has over 140 recipes, including Asian, vegetarian and dairy- and gluten-free options. Why not try some of them? The Diabetes UK website also car-

11

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:30 pm

Page 12

Health Care

Home is where the heart is – and the tax breaks ere you, or your father, or husband, born outside of this country? Do you intend to leave the UK at some point to return to your birthplace or country of origin? Do you want to lower your tax burden in this country?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES then PKF can probably be of assistance to you.

PKF (UK) LLP ("PKF") is one of the UK's leading firms of accountants and business advisers, which specialises in advising the management of developing private and public businesses. We pride ourselves on creating and sustaining supportive relationships where objective and timely advice enables our clients to thrive and develop.

Our clients benefit from an integrated approach based on understanding the key issues facing small and medium sized businesses. This enables us to meet their needs at each stage of development and allows them to focus on building the value of their business.

The principal services we provide include assurance & advisory; corporate finance; corporate recovery & insolvency; forensic; management consultancy and taxation. We also offer financial services through our FSA authorised company, PKF Financial Planning Limited.

Leighton Reed, Tax Partner at PKF comments that “A number of Asian families have been exceptionally successful at generating significant wealth largely through investments in property related assets.

Whether it is the family residential portfolio, or through the operation of Care homes and Hotels, it is surprising how many people have not planned their tax affairs more efficiently.”

The concept of domicile is usually a good place to start with Tax planning for Asian families. Mark Davies, Director of Personal Taxes at PKF explains “Under English law, an individual normally acquires his father’s domicile at birth and retains it unless his father changes his own domicile before the child attains age 16. This is known as the individual’s ‘domicile of origin’.

Everyone has only one domicile and it is fundamentally a different concept from residence and ordinary residence. In very simplistic terms a person is domiciled in the country that he regards as his real home.” The advantages for being non-UK domiciled, but resident, in the UK are significant. If structured correctly it may be possible to avoid or defer paying Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax as well as improving your Income Tax position.

This planning, whilst well established in this country, is extremely complex and taking expert advice at an

By Leighton Reed, Taxation Partner, PKF Accountants & business advisers

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

W

12

Leighton Reed

early stage is strongly recommended. Mark Davies would be happy to offer an initial free of charge meeting to discuss your particular circumstances.

In addition to planning for an exit from property investments a number of opportunities exist to reduce the tax bill whilst you own the property. Owners of Care Homes and Hotels would be well advised to take advantage of Capital Allowance Claims. These will enable a substantial saving to be made against your corporation or partnership tax computations. Again this is a highly specialised area and PKF has developed a dedicated property team to maximise any potential savings.

Residential Care Home owners will be familiar with the fact that they are not able to reclaim VAT on their expenditure, as they do not charge their residents VAT. A European Court of Justice decision has however successfully challenged this position and opened the doors for some home owners to claim back VAT on a significant proportion of their expenditure including any extension or refurbishment work of the home. Anyone who has owned a Residential Care Home between 1993 and 2002 where the residents were local authority funded should contact Gerry Myton of PKF London.

For more information on any of PKF’s services, or to discuss your affairs in confidence, please contact in the first instance Leighton Reed on 029 2064 6226 or Mark Davies on 020 7065 0313.

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:31 pm

Page 13

Health Care

Expert help for patients

By Margie Lindsay Communications Managing Hillingdon Primary Care Trust

nderstanding and coping with NHS jargon and feel that they are still a useful part of the family. The healthcare professionals can be as stressful — if course helps people set goals that give them renewed not more — than an actual illness or condition. confidence in themselves. Simple things, like walking To help patients cope with their illness or condition, a around the block, visiting a grandson, seeing film— anycourse of training called Expert Patients Programme thing that benefits them and helps them come to terms (EPP for short) is being offered by all NHS organisawith their health condition,” explains Ms Chande. tions. EPP is designed to help people live with longSome of the participants of EPP courses have term health conditions (things like diabetes, chronic found real benefits in the programme. One said: “I heart disease, asthma, arthritis, back pain) while mainthought my life had stopped. I stopped living. But now taining the best possible health they can and improving I am motivated and have my life back.” Another comtheir quality of life. mented that he now started to accept his limitations The course is over six weeks, with weekly sesand started living according to his new capacity and sions lasting around two-and-a-half hours. The idea is to abilities. “I understand there is a limit to what I can do give people the skills they need to cope with their conand I accept that now,” he said. ditions as well as with the NHS. Some of the skills the course teaches involve managing symptoms, dealing with stress, depression and low self-image, managing pain, coping, relaxation and healthy eating.

“There are no real cultural differences when you look at the programme and what it offers people,” explains Usha Chande, EPP co-ordinator at Hillingdon PCT. She believes that regardless of your ethnic or cultural background, people can benefit from the programme.

“There are some real benefits, particularly for those from an Asian culture. Many people feel stigmatised when they find they have a long- People with long-term conditions find the help, confidence and support they need by attending expert patients programme courses term illness. They see the illness as a weakness.

Some fell like their life has ended and they have lost The EPP course helps those attending adopt control over their lives,” says Ms Chande. effective techniques to help them cope with their illGoing on the expert patients programme can help ness and particularly their relationships with family and these people, believes Ms Chande, discover life again friends. “Meeting in a group helps people understand and gain the confidence they may lack in order to take they are not alone and are facing the same kinds of control of their lives. challenges and problems that others face, even if they “It varies and depends on age and general culturhave different long-term conditions,” explains Ms al background. Usually older people within the Asian Chande, adding, “It is particularly helpful for people community feel an obligation to the family and to confrom an Asian background who think in terms of tinuing to do the same amount of work. If they cannot, male/female work and tasks. An Asian male who they think their active life has ended and have nothing thinks he can no longer function as an effective head to contribute. The EPP course helps them regain selfof the family because of his health will quickly lose worth, make small — but significant — changes to their heart. Women who do not have the confidence to tell life style that allows them to take control of their lives their family they cannot do everything they once did, again,” says Ms Chande. feel like they have lost control of their lives. The EPP EPP can also help families understand the limitacourse helps give these people the confidence and abiltions of people who now have a chronic or long-term ity to explain things to family and friends and take back illness or condition. “If the family understands that control as well as live fulfilling and active lives.” someone can no longer do all the house work or cook For information about how to join an expert all the meals or do all the driving, then they can togethpatients programme, contact Usha Chande (020 8954 er help make changes in the way the family operates 9704; expertpphillingdon@yahoo.co.uk) or visit and help the person who has the long-term condition www.hillingdon.nhs.uk/epp.

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

U

13

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:30 pm

Page 14

Health Care

Living with pain oping with pain is not easy for anyone. But when you have chronic pain, the difficulty is living with it.

A pain education and management service is offered in Hillingdon that helps people with chronic (that is long-term pain) find ways to deal with the pain while at the same time improve their quality of life. The course is once a week for four weeks with a session lasting three hours.

“The skills and techniques I learnt on the course made a real difference to me,” said one person after the course ended. “I’m beginning to enjoy my life again and feel I can cope now.”

A group of health care professionals, including an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, a clinical psychologist and a chronic pain nurse who all specialise in working with people with pain problems, offer the course together with a handy manual, aptly named The Pain Coping Strategies Book.

Posture, sitting and sleeping positions, stress and feelings, exercises, group and individual activities are included. Sessions are a mix of practical and instruction with plenty of time for people to talk together in small groups and learn from each other as well as the healthcare experts on hand.

Most people go away knowing more about their own pain and how to cope with it. They can improve their fitness and mobility and are given advice on effective pain management techniques as well as sucessful relaxation methods, including tapes and breathing.

“There are links between thoughts or feelings and pain,” explains Rebecca Holt, assistant psychologist.

Leading one session she explained the importance of knowing what to do when in pain.

“When someone is in pain, their stress levels go up, they may feel out of control. We can show people some techniques — things like breathing — that may help. It’s just as important they recognise what is happening and think through some options for themselves.

If they know in advance what to do, it is sometimes easier to focus on something that can help. But like most things, it takes time and practice,” says Ms Holt.

One group member said that at work it was impossible to use the stress control and relaxtion techniques: “I couldn’t think about breathing or anything. I didn’t have time. But I did talk to my line manager about how to avoid similar situations and as soon as I could I used the relaxation tape and did the breathing exercises. That helped.”

“Some people can’t do exercises when they are in pain. But some techniques, with practice, can become an automatic response and help people cope,” says Ms Holt.

Exercise is needed to keep flexibility and mobility,

By Margie Lindsay Communications Managing Hillingdon Primary Care Trust

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

C

14

Kay Davies demonstrates some ways to sleep to help relieve pain and make it easier for someone to get in and out of bed.

according to Ms Holt. “Some exercises are easy to do and people can progress, but it’s up to the individual.

You should push yourself a bit, but not if it is causing pain. Some find it is better to break up exercise and do it in small chunks, followed by some relaxation.”

Goal setting helps focus people on what they want to achieve and helps them see why something is happening. “I look at the diary and see what I’ve written down, what I expect myself to achieve. It might not be huge. Something as simple as walking to the shop.

But if I see I’ve done it, I can be more positive about myself. I’m not useless. I mihgt not be able to do every-

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:32 pm

Page 15

Health Care

Tackling childhood obesity Riaz Ravat

Communications Team Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT)

n August, East Staf fordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) ran its fourth programme for children and parents designed to improve their health and wellbeing.

The successful Out & Active health project which was first launched in Burton in the Summer of 2005, began on August 7th for two weeks at Shobnall Leisure Centre in Burton upon Trent. The course is a fun project designed for children aged 8-12 years who are overweight or obese. It is a partnership between the PCT and East Staffordshire Borough Council. Staff will work with parents to encourage and promote positive lifestyle changes. After the two weeks have been completed, follow ups will be provided once a month for six months.

Out & Active offers a wide-ranging package of support to stay healthy. Activities for children can include Kwik Cricket, Short Tennis, teambuilding exercises and support sessions on how to overcome bullying. Parents are also catered for. Their programme covers talks on what health challenges they face and a series of walks.

Earlier this year, eight families in Uttoxeter took part. One of the participant’s who attended with her eight year old daughter said, “After the first day I noticed a positive difference in my daughter’s confidence. She couldn’t wait for the next day because she was so excited by the friends she had made and the games she had played. The impression may be that Out & Active is a ‘fat club’. This is so far removed from the truth because those who attended were from all walks of life and no one was out of place. I would encourage parents to sign up. This is about their children’s futures”.

Out & Active is one of a series of schemes the PCT has developed in recent years to tackle childhood obesity. In February this year, another one of its six-week healthy ‘cook & taste’ courses began in Burton. This supported women from local Asian communities to sample traditional dishes using less salt, sugar and fat.

For more information: Riaz Ravat (01283 507 117)

I

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

thing, but I can do some things. I just need to be realistic,” commented one member of the group.

“A lot of people think they need to be happy. This isn’t about being happy, it’s about coping with pain and not being negative about yourself and your condition,” says Ms Holt. “We try to help people find ways to take the focus away from pain. For example, reading, listening to music, having a massage, swimming, some light exercise. It is useful for people to write down what works for them, so when they have a flare up they can look and see what worked before or see what options they think they can try. You can’t always plan, but at least you have some ideas for some situations.”

Sleeping is another area the course deals with. For this Kay Davies, an occupational therapist, explains why mattresses and pillows are important as well as the position in which people sleep. “If you lay on a hard bed, it doesn’t mould to your shape. A soft bed gives no support and you are trying to turn against gravity.

What you want when you are in a bed is a nice straight spine,” says Ms Davies.

She gives a simple and easy way to tell if your mattress is right for you: “If you lay flat on the mattress and slide the palm of your hand into the lower back and there is too much resistance, the mattress is too soft. If it is very easy, it is too hard.”

She also recommends that mattresses be changed at least every 10 years. “Mattresses are not for a life time. You spend a third of your life asleep, so it’s essential you are comfortable, particularly if you suffer from chronic pain. If you are going to buy a mattress, dress in loose clothing and try to lie on the mattress for at least 20 minutes without a coat on,” she explains.

There are also ways to improvise: “You can make a very firm mattress more comfortable just by adding a softer layer, like a sleeping bag of thin duvet covering the mattress,” recommends Ms Davies.

“Synthetic pillows often become lumpy.

Down is best, but many people may be allergic.

Whatever your pillow is, you can adjust it by rolling up a towel and placing it inside the pillow case to give added support,” suggests Ms Davies.

“The point of this service is to help people live with their pain, take control of their lives and improve the quality of their life. We help them see the choices they can make and some techniques that may help. Overall we believe that the pain education and management service makes a real difference to people in Hillingdon,” concludes Ms Holt.

More information about Hillingdon Pain Education and Management Service on 01895 279 049 or at www.hillingdon.nhs.uk/pain.

15

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

5:16 pm

Page 16

Health Care

Long term Conditions – Long Term Control eventeen and a half million people across the UK today are living with one or more long term conditions, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and/or cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that the Asian community are at a greater risk of developing some of these conditions compared to the general population. Figures published recently by the British Heart Foundation suggest that Asian men and women face a 50 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is at least five times higher amongst Asian communities.

If you are living with a long term condition, getting the right care and support in order to stay well and in control of your condition can significantly and positively change your health and quality of life, as well as that of your carers, families and friends.

All of us want to be able to look after ourselves and stay as well as possible throughout our lives.

However, many people currently living with long term conditions on a daily basis do not have the information, skills and confidence to ensure they get the best possible level of care and stay as healthy as possible. In the

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

S

16

John Procter Head of Pfizer Health Solutions in the UK

worst cases, this can mean that a person’s condition is poorly controlled, leading to additional health problems and even repeated, unplanned stays in hospital.

Pfizer Health Solutions believes that by helping and supporting people to better understand their condition and to take control of their own health and care, the health outcomes and satisfaction levels of both the individual and the overall population can all improve.

Birmingham OwnHealth: Bringing Better Health to Birmingham That’s why in April this year, Pfizer Health Solutions, in partnership with North and Eastern Birmingham Primary Care Trusts and NHS Direct, launched Birmingham OwnHealth - a ground-breaking, bi-lingual service for people in Birmingham with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

Birmingham OwnHealth is the first care management programme of its kind in the UK and is specifically designed to meet the health needs of Birmingham residents with long term conditions.

Once enrolled into Birmingham OwnHealth by their GP, people receive personalised, ongoing, one-toone support over the telephone in the comfort of their own home, to help them better manage their health and stay well.

The team of Birmingham OwnHealth care managers – all fully trained and qualified nurses - work with enrolled individuals to develop, agree and put in place personalised action plans towards better health.

Supported by their care manager, as well as by their GP and other appropriate local healthcare professionals, people learn more about their condition and what it means for them, and are given support and

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:34 pm

Page 17

Health Care

Vital Statistics: In the UK 17.5 million people may be living with a long-term condition.

There are some 2 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK. A further million more people are thought to be undiagnosed.

The number of people with diabetes is escalating and by the end of this decade it is estimated that 3 million people in the UK could have this condition.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the UK accounting for 233,000 deaths every year.

Of these 49% are caused by coronary heart disease (CHD) 28% are caused by stroke Heart attack is the most common cause of heart failure. There are approximately 270,000 heart attacks every year in the UK. References Available on Request

Satwinder Mander - Care Manager for Birmingham OwnHealth working with patients in both English and Punjabi

As an Asian living in Britain I have first hand experience of the language and culture barriers facing Asian patients. My parents, like many of the elderly Asian generation never spoke English so I had to translate for them. But this is not always possible and a direct dialogue between the patient and healthcare professional is always preferable as it helps the patient to feel more in control.

As a care manager, my role is not to tell people what they should do. I work in partnership with patients, helping them to identify which aspect of their condition they want to change and working with them to achieve these goals.

It’s about giving people confidence. Many people feel they can’t question their doctor or people in authority. They are often surprised when I tell them otherwise. Having someone like me to talk them through the questions they might want to ask a doctor before an appointment or talking it through with someone afterwards is invaluable for them.

The sense of reward in helping people to help themselves can be immense. Only recently I spoke with a lady who was having difficulty in controlling her blood glucose and was feeling low as a result.

After speaking with her about her condition and advising her of the options available, she is starting to take her medication correctly for the first time in over a year and has agreed to go and have some tests with her nurse. A fantastic first step for her towards having better health and one which gives both her and me a great sense of achievement!

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

encouragement to take actions to stay well, including making dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes.

Individuals are helped to make sure that they correctly follow the treatment and medication programmes prescribed by their GP and/or other healthcare professionals. Finally the care manager helps people to understand what health services are available to them in the Birmingham area and how they can best use and interact with these services to help them reach their goal of better health.

The Birmingham OwnHealth service is provided in Punjabi as well as English, through the excellent skills of Satwinder Mander our bi-lingual care manager.

By offering services directly in Punjabi, we hope that this is the first step for Birmingham OwnHealth in helping to overcome language and cultural barriers currently facing some of Birmingham’s Asian communities – particularly for those for whom English is not their first language.

We will be assessing the bi-lingual element of the service to make sure it works for the individual, the care manager and the local healthcare teams and seeing how we can continue to develop this service in the future.

By breaking down barriers, we want to help ensure that people across Birmingham’s diverse communities have access to the right information about their condition, have a positive and constructive dialogue with local healthcare professionals, and ultimately remain as healthy as possible.

Birmingham OwnHealth can - and will – transform the health and lives of people with long term conditions in Birmingham. By giving individuals control over their own health and empowering them to be able to take informed decisions about their care, Birmingham OwnHealth places people at the very heart of the healthcare system – exactly where Government, the NHS, and all of us as individuals, want to be.

17

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:35 pm

Page 18

Health Care

Asian eye care in the United Kingdom sians make up just over 3.5% of the total UK population with 95% (2 million Asians) living in England itself The Indian population is the largest ethnic minority group in Britain, making up almost one quarter of the total ethnic minority. Pakistanis are the most evenly spread across the UK of the three South Asian communities and Bangladeshis are the smallest of the three.

According to statistics from Diabetes UK, diabetes is one of the most common diseases experienced amongst the Asian population. There is also data which indicates raised levels of Glaucoma and Cataract in those of Asian origin. Therefore, it appears that Asians are more vulnerable to visual impairment than their Caucasian counterparts.

A

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

Diabetes

18

There is a high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Asian communities living in the United Kingdom. It tends to develop around five years sooner in people from Asian backgrounds and the condition is five times higher than the Caucasian population in the UK. There is also increasing evidence of Type 2 diabetes in children, particularly in South Asian populations.

Type 2 diabetes also has a very strong hereditary link, especially in those from the South Asian population, who are two to four times more likely to have diabetes when they are over 40 years of age.

20 percent of the South Asian community has Type 2 diabetes in contrast to three per cent of the general population. Overall, 89,000 Indians, 42,000 Pakistani and 12,000 Bangladeshi have the condition – bringing it to a total of 143,000 Asians with diabetes.

Optometrist Professor Nizar Hirji comments, ‘The prevalence of diabetes in Asian population appear to be much higher than the Caucasian population which means they will require very careful optometric screening and management of potential diabetes related eye complications’.

A series of dialogues between religious leaders, doctors and scientists were held in Nottingham on 8 March 2005 to discuss why the South Asian community has such high rates of heart disease and diabetes compared to their Caucasian counterparts. The dialogues were organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and were dedicated to the memory of scientist Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln who died in 1253. Apparently he united the roles of priest and scientist, and pioneered the use of

By Rebecca Beehre Press Officer at the Association of Optometrists, London.

mathematics in optics in an era when the Western Church was undivided.

Several of the speakers in this dialogue claimed that in general there is a lack of understanding regarding self-management for diabetes. One speaker commented “A lot of people think it is something that the doctor or optometrist has to take responsibility for, not the patient”. The second aspect they discussed was their diet. For cultural reasons many Asian people go through stages of fasting and feasting and often their foods are very high in fat. There is may be a huge lifestyle change for many Asians living in the UK as they are more likely to eat Western food which can be very high in fat. Discussions were centred on the lack of exercise amongst the Asian community and the importance of doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to prevent heart disease and diabetes. The speakers also mentioned that surveys have been conducted at schools which show that children of South Asian origin tend to be more frequently overweight than their white counterparts and a lot of this comes down to lack of exercise amongst this population. They said that is important to start identifying children who are physically inactive and overweight at a young age, and parents must persuade them to loose weight. For adults, there are routines in general practice to screen people for disease by looking whether someone is overweight, looking at blood glucose levels and blood cholesterols.

The National Services Framework for Diabetes has prioritised screening of retinopathy in the UK as one of only two critical national targets. By 2006 a minimum of 80 per cent of people with diabetes are to be offered screening for the early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, rising to 100 per cent by the end of 2007.

Overall, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age in the UK but treatment can prevent blindness in 90 per cent of those at risk if applied early and adequately.

Cataracts One of the most major causes of blindness in the world is the development of cataracts and the prevalence of age-related cataracts is higher within the Asian community in the United Kingdom when compared to the Caucasian population.

For example, data which been collected from the outpatient clinics of a hospital in Leicester, suggests that for people aged over 45, the incidence of cataract is more than five times higher in people of Indian

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:36 pm

Page 19

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:36 pm

Page 20

Health Care descent than white people. For both communities the age-related cataract is significantly higher in women than in men, and it is significantly higher in people of Indian descent who emigrated directly from India.

Several South Asian communities in the UK have been studied and in every case the prevalence of cataract has been found to be high. For people in their sixties, a study in inner-city Leicester found cataract in 69% of Asians and 30% of Europeans. In Southall, the corresponding prevalence of cataract in Asians was 86%. In that study (Leicestershire), 5% of their sample needed referral for cataract surgery.

Professor Nizar Hirji said ‘The age of onset of cataract tends to be earlier in Asian population which means they need early intervention for cataract surgery. It will require optometric care pre and post surgery’.

What is unclear is the extent to which these differences reflect genetic or lifestyle factors and to what extent they are due to the generally poorer economic status of immigrant groups.

Tropical disease Trachoma is an eye infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is the second most common cause of blindness in the world, after cataracts. Trachoma is a major health issue for Indian, South East Asian, and Chinese populations. It is not a disease that is present in the United Kingdom, so the only exposure and risk comes from recent arrivals from South Asia who are likely to have lived in poor social conditions, in areas with limited water supplies, poor sanitation and hygiene.

Trachoma is highly infectious, is very easily spread and affects both men and women, although women are blinded at two to three times the rate of men. However, it is more widespread in children. In some areas of the world the infection rate in children is 100 per cent.

Professor Nizar Hirji comments: ‘It is also possible that because some of the population arrives from Indian/African and Middle Eastern areas that they may already be infected with eye diseases such as trachoma which will require careful review and ophthalmological intervention’.

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

Glaucoma

20

Glaucoma is the third most common cause of blindness in the world and responsible for 13% of all blindness in the UK. Asians are more susceptible to a less common form of glaucoma called Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma compared to someone of European origin. It may also come on at a younger age and be more severe. Delays in seeking treatment (or in identification of disease) may lead to higher levels of damage.

Early presentation and intervention is important in the successful treatment and management of glaucoma as once blindness occurs it is irreversible. Screening tests are important to detect glaucoma before there is sig-

nificant loss of vision. An optometrist can do these during a sight test. Ideally, everyone over 40 should have their eyes checked for glaucoma every two years however, people aged 40 or over who have a family history of glaucoma are entitled to free eye tests. People who are found to have glaucoma can be referred to a specialist eye doctor (an ophthalmologist) for assessment and treatment.

What services are out there for the Asian community?

The Welsh eye care initiative is an example of a scheme which provides all Asian people with a free eye assessment. Research has shown that Asian people are more likely to develop glaucoma, diabetes, cataracts and other related eye diseases so it is important they are given the opportunity to have free eye checks. Any optometrist who is registered with the scheme will thoroughly check the patient’s eyes for any signs of the disease. A list of optometrists who offer the free service can be obtained by the nearest Local Health Boards in Wales.

Therefore, because Asians are more prone to developing diabetes, glaucoma and cataract it is highly important to have regular eye check ups. These tests are fundamental because they identify potentially blinding conditions.

A new Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) report has revealed that more than two million people in the UK are at risk of losing at their sight. It also shows that more than half of all sight loss is avoidable.

Unknowingly, 1.9 million people with diabetes who aren't having regular eye tests and 250,000 people with early-stage glaucoma are at high risk of losing their sight.

In England, all those aged 60 or over are eligible for free NHS sight tests. Similarly, Diabetes or Glaucoma sufferers or relatives aged 40 or over of Glaucoma sufferers are eligible for free NHS eye examinations.

Asian people can also take advantage of the free NHS eye examinations which are now available throughout Scotland. The free eye-checks, which came into force on April 1, include a health assessment of each patient’s whole visual system.

Free NHS eye examinations are now available throughout Scotland-a move hailed by Ministers as another major step forward in improving public health.

The free eye-checks, which came into force on April 1, include a health assessment of each patient’s whole visual system.

The purpose of the current NHS sight test is to determine whether a patient requires glasses or contact lenses. The thrust of the new service as agreed with the optical profession is to move away from the current sight test with refraction, to broader health aspects.

The new eye examination is tailored to meet the symptoms and needs of the patient. This is known as the 'Primary Eye Examination' and includes certain core tests and procedures as well as patient specific proce-

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:37 pm

Page 21

Health Care

Professor Nizar K. Hirji is an Optometrist, a Contact Lens Practitioner, a Clinical Scientist & Principal Consultant with HIRJI ASSOCIATES - Management Consultants in Optometry, Birmingham, UK He has been involved in some 40+ thousand optometric patient consultations over the past 30 years in a mix of part-time, full-time, independent, corporate and academic settings in the UK. His current clinical commitment includes optometric exams and support services at an independent private optometric practice on a regular basis, and an ophthalmological practice occasionally. He is a business graduate (majoring in marketing) and has held senior positions at Board level in charge of Professional Services, Human Resources (Personnel), Training, Marketing and Operations functions. He is an educator and holds three concurrent academic appointments at Universities in the UK, one in France and additionally at the Institute of Optometry in London. He has taught and has conducted exams at Undergraduate, PreRegistration and Post Graduate level for hundreds of students of Optometry. He now spends a significant amount of his time consulting for independent optical practices, professional organisations, educational enterprises and industry suppliers both in the UK and abroad helping them become more successful and manage change.

He is an author and has written and edited books and numerous other publications.

Nizar can be contacted on Phone 0121 682 7041 E-mail: Nizar@hirji.co.uk Or his website address is www.hirji.co.uk

Drinking without limits, limits life Riaz Ravat Communications Team Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT)

fficial figures released by the Government's Information Centre for Health and Social Care reported that deaths from alcoholic liver disease in England rose by 37% in the five years to 2004, with 4,000 people dying.

These very alarming national figures are reflected locally in East Staffordshire. Alcohol misuse is damaging to both physical and mental health, ruins lives and relationships, compromises work and lifestyles and is frequently implicated in road accidents. Many incidents of domestic and street violence are also provoked by an excess of alcohol.

The West Midlands as a region is in the middle of the range for acceptable and excessive alcohol consumption but has the third highest alcohol-related death rate in the country.

Patients are experiencing severe health problems as a result of their drinking at an increasingly young age.

There have been nearly 1,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions in East Staffordshire during the last 5 years, while alcohol-related deaths have risen to more than 18 per 10,000 in 2004/05. People with acute alcohol problems frequently present in Accident & Emergency departments. 114 such admissions were recorded between January and June 2005.

All this data represents considerable cost to the NHS and is only ‘the tip of the iceberg’, reflecting a massive underlying problem. This problem is one of lifestyle, responsibility, education and awareness. As such it requires a concentrated and comprehensive response from a variety of agencies.

East Staffordshire Primary Care Trust is well aware of this growing problem and is anxious to prevent and treat the many complications of alcohol misuse. To this end they have researched the local needs and available services, developed an alcohol strategy and are beginning to implement an extensive action plan in conjunction with our local partners. The Community Safety Partnership will shortly be producing a ‘Local Guide to Alcohol Services’ and GPs will be encouraged to identify, treat and appropriately refer at an early stage, all those presenting at the surgery with alcohol problems.

It is hoped that early detection of the problem will help individuals before excess drinking grows out of control.

Serious health problems as a result of alcohol misuse are disabling, unpleasant and life threatening. Early information can avoid later catastrophe.

For more information: Riaz Ravat (01283 507 117)

O

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

dures. It will give optometrists the freedom to carry out tests appropriate to patients’ symptoms and needs and allow for the management of a range of common conditions in the community.

Overall, Asians in the United Kingdom are a lot more vulnerable to diseases such as diabetes, cataract, and glaucoma than their Caucasian counterparts. This can be attributed to western lifestyle, diet, genetic make-up and environmental factors.

There are a number of services which Asian people can take advantage of in the UK including the recently introduced free NHS eye checks throughout Scotland, and free eye examinations for those of Asian origin in Wales. In general, it is fundamental that all people, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, have regular eye check ups. As highlighted in a Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) report, more than two million people in the UK are at risk of losing at their sight and this could be seriously avoided by having a regular eye examination.

21

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:39 pm

Page 22

Health Care

Putting heart back into your life fter a heart attack most people are worried and anxious. They often face major lifestyle changes. In Hillingdon, an innovative programme called the Heart of Hillingdon helps patients recovering from a heart attack make the necessary life changes and choices that will help ensure a healthier future for them.

Heart of Hillingdon is a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. It is not done in a clinic or at hospital, but in the patient’s home. There are several weekly visits that can include things like suggested exercises, some health education, stress management techniques and help with reducing the risk of a future heart attack.

Healthcare professionals who visit also answer any questions people (and their family) may have.

“We reassure people, particularly in the first few weeks after a heart attack,” explains Claire Howard, part of the cardiac rehabilitation team in Hillingdon.

“People feel anxious. Their family is worried and has lots of questions. We help build confidence, gradually help people back to a normal life and hopefully improve the quality of life, too.”

Heart of Hillingdon takes a holistic approach. For heart patients this means looking at all aspects of their life and trying to help them make the right choices and changes to minimise the chance of another heart attack while at the same time allowing them to continue their normal lives.

“We look at activity levels, see what they currently do and try to build on that. The main goal, of course, is to make changes that prevent another attack. We will be looking at lifestyles: things like what contributed to the heart attack. Was it diet? Too much or not enough exercise? Smoking? Drinking? There are a lot of factors

By Margie Lindsay Communications Managing Hillingdon Primary Care Trust

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

A

22

People who have had a heart attack are worried and anxious.

Their family and friends will also have lots of questions about what to do. Heart of Hillingdon helps patients, family and friends come to terms with changes that may need to be made

and it really is very much an individual approach.

Everyone is unique and we try to find a mix of solutions and changes that the person feels comfortable with and, most importantly, can live with,” explains Ms Howard.

Stress levels in life are a main factor for many people, even if they no longer work. The obvious “bad habits” like smoking and drinking are relatively easy to identify, but the team goes much further in helping people examine at all areas of life and spot existing — and potential — risk factors and then help tackle them. “Things like eating too much saturated fat, managing stress at home or the office are often problems people face. If someone is working a 10-hour day, we look at how we can reduce the hours, break up and balance the work with more relaxation,” says Ms Howard.

Support from the family is important.

“Sometimes the family becomes overly protec-

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:41 pm

Page 23

Health Care tive. We want them to encourage the patient, but not stop them recovering and rebuilding their life.

They are usually anxious, so part of the programme is helping them understand what changes are needed and how to play a useful part in making those changes,” she explains.

“People are all individual, so there is no simple answer. Although those from an ethnic background, like Asians, may have some dietary or other cultural factors that are different, we find that most people face exactly the same kinds of challenges,” says Ms Howard.

However, there are some specific risks to people in the Asian community. “There is a high proportion of Asians with diabetes and that is a risk factor. Balanced, healthy eating — like cutting down on saturated fat — doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy Choosing a healthier lifestyle after a heart attack may not be easy. Heart of Asian food. You just need to modify recipes and Hillingdon works with patients and their family to help individuals find the solutions and make the changes needed to avoid another attack. monitor cholesterol more closely,” explains Ms Howard. the patient is helped to start a healthier lifestyle and put Ms Howard also points out that particularly older into contact with any other services them may need.

Asian women (around 70 or older) may be at risk “Our After that the team contacts all their patients at least advice, particularly to women over 50, is to keep active. once a year to check on progress and help in any way It is really important to be active.” they can.

“The whole point of the programme is to keep people well, help them take control of their lives and The aims of Heart of Hillingdon are to: establish a better quality of life. It’s never too late to Reduce anxiety and improving coping after a change or improve the quality of life. If you’re 90 or 39, heart attack it’s important to feel better, improve your life and pre Reduce hospital readmissions and GP visits vent another heart attack”, concludes Ms Howard.

Increase uptake of cardiac rehabilitation for One patient who benefited from Heart of people who are unable to attend the hospitalHillingdon said it was “absolutely invaluable in getting based programme me through those first few weeks of weakness and Encourage cardiac rehabilitation in ethnic uncertainty. It really helped me adopt a healthier minority groups, women and the elderly who lifestyle and feel more positive.” traditionally do not attend hospital-based For information about Heart of Hillingdon, contact programmes Claire Howard (01895 279 948; Further develop a menu-based cardiac claire.howard@thh.nhs.uk) and Deirdre Milnes rehabilitation service within communities as (deirdre.milnes@thh.nhs.uk) or visit well as home-based options. www.hillingdon.nhs.uk/cardiacrehab.

The Heart of Hillingdon programme starts while the patient is still in hospital. A cardiac rehabilitation facilitator will visit the patient and give them a heart manual as well as arrange a home visit.

In the first few weeks, any questions or problems the patient is experiencing (or the family) can be discussed during visits by the team. The programme lasts for 12 weeks during which time several home visits are made,

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

What Heart of Hillingdon does

23

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:42 pm

Page 24

Health Care

Oldham Primary Care Trust

By Ms Gail Richard Chief Executive

Working with our communities to improve health he people of Oldham are drawn from diverse communities, which each make significant contributions to the vibrant life of the town.

Nearly a quarter of the borough are under-16; one in eight people are from black and minority ethnic communities, and both groups are growing. At the same time the number of older people is also on the increase.

People of different ages, from different ethnic backgrounds and different parts of Oldham have different experiences of health and ill health.

It’s vital that Oldham Primary Care Trust (PCT) provides health services which meet everyone’s needs. It’s also important that everyone can get the advice and help they need – in the way they need it - to manage their own health and keep themselves as well Community food workers helping people learn more about healthy eating as possible. three GP practices; a dental suite; pharmacy; children’s The PCT has a £100m Local Improvement services; speech and language therapy; podiatry; older Finance Initiative (or LIFT scheme) in place. This will people’s services; health promotion facility; counselling see up to ten new health developments, of varying services; community drug and alcohol clinics and much sizes and offering many different services, across more.

Oldham in the coming years. The first one has already Work is also expected to get underway on the opened in Moorside. The second is currently underway flagship £20m integrated care centre in Oldham town – a £6m new building in Glodwick, on the site of the centre, next to the civic centre and the bus station over now demolished Glodwick Health Centre. the winter. This will be nine storeys high and contain It is due to open in spring 2007 and will contain many different services. There are plans for new developments in Werneth, Crompton, Royton, Chadderton and Springhead.

Oldham’s Walk-in Centre has now been open for 18 months and has proved to be a valuable drop in facility, with around 140 people using it every day. It is on John Street in the town centre (opposite the entrance to the Pennine Way Hotel) and is open from 7am to 10.30pm. It is primarily staffed by experienced nurses and is available for minor injuries and illnesses, strains and sprains, superficial cuts and bruises, stomach upsets, minor rashes and infections, coughs, colds and flu-like symptoms, emergency contraception.

The PCT has recruited two new community mental health development workers who will work specifically with black and ethnic minority communities in Oldham. There are also other develop-

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

T

24

An artists inpretion of the new £15 integration care centre planned for Oldham town centre

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:43 pm

Page 25

Health Care

The PCT is in the process of setting up a new circumcision service which will be offered to parents who would like their son circumcised for cultural reasons. It is expected that this will be offered by an Oldham GP commissioned by the PCT. Services like this, which are carried out by spe-

cialists working in the community, are likely to become more common in the future.

Two health consultations ran earlier this year. One is called Making it Better and looks at proposals to improve services for babies and children, as well as maternity services, across Greater Manchester and slightly beyond. The other is called Healthy Futures and looks at proposals to improve all health services across Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, North Manchester and Heywood and Middleton by rearranging services provided from the existing four hospitals (Royal Oldham, Fairfield, Rochdale Infirmary and North Manchester General) and expanding services based in the community.

The three options put forward all include converting at least one of the hospitals into a ‘locality’ hospital, which would mean changing its accident and emergency departments into an urgent care centre, which would still be able to cater for all but the most serious cases which are currently dealt with by A&E. All options would see planned surgery, planned medicine, day surgery and outpatients on all four sites.

The results of Healthy Futures are expected in September and Making it Better later in the year.

The PCT is also committed to making sure its workforce represent the different communities in Oldham.

A training bursary was launched in 2003 by the PCT to mark the life of a dedicated dental nurse who inspired both colleagues and patients. Naveed Maqsood spent two years on the PCT’s bilingual dental nurse training programme before joining a dental practice in Lees. Naveed died of cancer in June 2003 and the training bursary has been developed to mark his memory.

It is open to any PCT employee who is bilingual in English as well as Urdu, Bangla, Punjabi or Pushto. It provides £1,000 annually, which can be used to pay for anything from training courses to books.

We also have an active black and minority ethnic group running. It aims to increase the diversity of the PCT’s workforce; reach out to local communities and make sure staff are valued and differences both respected and celebrated.

The PCT is committed to ensuring we offer equal access to health services to all Oldham’s people; focus on reducing differences in health in different parts of Oldham; provide services which are in the right place at the right time and represent our local communities in our workforce.

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

ments in the area of mental health, including the creation of healthy walks programme from Marjory Lees Health Centre, Werneth Jamia Mosque and the Pukhtoon Resource Centre.

The community mental health development workers will be part of Cottoning On, a PCT led scheme which runs a number of different projects designed to give local communities the opportunity to take control of their own health and promote equal access to health services.

It aims to provide people with information about the root causes of mental and physical illness and so promote good health. It is made up of nine separate projects working with both black and minority ethnic women and young people.

These range from improving access to physical exercise through the ‘Energize’ scheme, to supporting women in developing and sustaining healthier communities on the ‘Himmat & Saharah’ initiative.

Other projects include the ‘Pathways to Health’ project, which improves access for black and minority ethnic women to employment in the health and social care sector, and the ‘Health4Me’ website, designed to provide young people with easy access to health information.

The ‘Training Opportunities for Young Parents Scheme’ (TOYS) concentrates on helping young parents to develop new friendships and access health opportunities such as smoking cessation, health and fitness and relaxation.

Promoting positive mental health for black and minority ethnic young men is the main aim of the ‘Positive Vibrations’ project, which provides a range of creative arts and sports activities for members of this particular group.

And ‘Zinda Dil’, or “lively heart”, provides mental health support to south asian women in their local community. It aims to improve their self-esteem and assertiveness, as well as providing ongoing support for women who are experiencing psychological problems and domestic violence.

Cottoning On’s women’s health development worker Faiza Chaudri recently completed the Open College Network’s food and nutrition skills course, run in partnership with the PCT’s food and physical activity team.

This led to the start of a healthy eating project, which centred around the creation of a special recipe book containing healthy Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Afro-Caribbean dishes.

25

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:44 pm

Page 26

Health Care

Healthy Living Partnership –

Catherine Putz Coordinator, Healthy Living Partnership

working with the community to improve health. he Healthy Living Partnership (HLP) is working in West Central Halifax in Yorkshire, and has a varied programme of activities aimed at improving the health of local residents. The aims of HLP include: Contributing to decrease in the local rate of coronary heart disease Improving mental well being Increasing the capacity of individuals and local community groups Helping to reduce health inequalities Improving effectiveness of services Park ward in Halifax has many indicators of deprivation, which result in poor health, and there are higher than average rates of heart disease, diabetes, infant mortality and lower than average life expectancy. The area has many children and young people, about 60% of population are of South Asian origin and there are many people who are transient. HLP has a Management Committee made up of representatives of partner organisations such as Sure Start, Calderdale Council and local residents.

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

T

26

Our current activities are grouped under

Physical activity; healthy living gym, exercise sessions, weekly walk, weight management

Community engagement; healthy eating, allotment and arts

Health education; men’s health, women’s health,

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:44 pm

Page 27

Health Care improving access and services, support to community groups, advice to families re substance misuse

Resources; information, coordination, evaluation and tool library Some of these activities which may be of particular interest to readers of Asian Voice are described below in more detail: Healthy Living Gym: Separate sessions for ladies and men are run over 30 hours a week. The gym instructors are nearly all bilingual and can give one- to-one advice to people who are not used to going to a gym.

The atmosphere is relaxed and the cost is very reasonable, especially to people on a low income.

Gardening groups: Weekly groups meet at the allotment to plant vegetables, herbs and fruit. There is a women only session and several members have taken on responsibility for their own plot and can harvest coriander, garlic, onions, beans etc to use in their own cooking The Calderdale Dill project: was started a year ago by a group of Asian men who wanted information on heart health and diabetes. The group meets every

Trust employ most of the 10 staff and are the accountable body for the main source of funding through the Big Lottery Fund (Healthy Living Centre) Much of our work is concerned with making sure people do have information about primary care services and above all we hope that people’s health can be improved through changes to lifestyle and awareness. Those who already have long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, poor mental health and eczema are supported through self help groups such as the Calderdale Dill project, SABAR, eczema support group and a new group is being set up for those with diabetes. In addition, coming to the gym twice a week, doing some gardening and eating healthily will contribute enormously to the management of many long-term conditions.

Contact details

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

week on a Monday morning to share a healthy meal, have regular health checks, listen to speakers and give encouragement to each other to take more exercise.

Getting to know the NHS: Informal courses are run regularly to help people understand the nature of different health services, especially in primary care and to give people skills and confidence in talking to their GP and other health professionals Women only health drop in: Services for health and advice to women (SHAW) is run weekly with a qualified female nurse practitioner, with support from an interpreter. This provides confidential advice and treatment and is easily accessible.

This is just a snapshot of HLP provision. Calderdale Primary Care

Catherine Putz, Coordinator, Healthy Living Partnership, St John’s Health Centre, Lightowler Rd. Halifax, HX1 5NB, Tel: 01422 307355 Catherine.putz@calderdale-pct.nhs.uk Ruth Wood, Physical activity development worker Tel: 01422 284425

27

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:45 pm

Page 28

Health Care

Taking Health Messages from Temple to Table id you know that rates of premature death due to heart attack in Asians living in the UK is 46% higher for men and 51% higher for women than in Caucasians?

South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has developed the Apnee Sehat (Our Health) project in South Warwickshire in partnership with South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Warwick and the local community to respond to the needs of the local south Asian population.

One of the initiatives is a DVD that has been developed featuring culturally acceptable healthy recipes, ways of increasing exercise as well as the health benefits of spices and minerals and vitamins.

Championed by Dr Shirine Boardman, consultant in diabetes at Warwick Hospital, the DVD’s purpose is to highlight the health risks within the south Asian communities. The culturally sensitive dietary recommendations were developed with the support of expert Asian dietitian Tahira Sarwar from Derby who worked with local senior dietician Ruth Breese.

The Apnee Sehat DVD is set to change the lifestyle and dietary habits of south Asian communities across the country after it wowed Westminster audiences when launched at the House of Commons in early March.

Members of the Asian community from Warwick and Leamington Spa joined senior members of the Department of Health including Dr Fiona Adshead,

D

By The Communications team Apnee Sehat

deputy chief medical officer and Surinder Sharma, national director of equality and human rights at the launch reception hosted by Warwick and Leamington Spa MP James Plaskitt.

MPs with high numbers of Asian communities also supported the event with the aim of encouraging their own constituents to adopt the initiative locally.

Other key work developed by the Apnee Sehat project so far includes:

Cooking Lessons Following the successful trial at the Leamington Sikh Temple (Gurdawara) of a new healthy rice pudding developed by Mrs Gill (an activist within the community) and Dr Boardman, in September 2005, South Warwickshire PCT enlisted the support of dietitians to work with the cooks at the Gurdawara and teach them to produce healthy and nutritious meals.

Training sessions were conducted with up to six women who voluntarily cook for the Gurdawara community on a regular basis. At that time some dishes at the Gurdawara were made with Ghee (clarified butter), which makes the food high in fat and cholesterol. The aim was to persuade the ladies to use olive oil or pure rapeseed oil instead – but still remembering only to use a little in cooking.

The cooking and lifestyle lessons were very successful and resulted in the ladies at the Gurdawara being awarded special commendation certificates for their efforts in promoting healthy living. The certificates were presented by Dr Stephen Munday, PCT director of public health, at the 2005 Diwali celebrations in Leamington Spa.

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

Low Fat Low Sugar Sweets

28

Members of the community attend a workshop at the health fair

Asians tend to exchange sweets and consume a high number of them during festive celebrations. The traditional sweets are very high in sugar

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:46 pm

Page 29

Health Care his community. Rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are significantly higher within this population.

and calories.

Dr Boardman developed the idea of low fat low sugar sweets and thought it would help make in-roads into the community especially during the festive season when most people tend to consume plenty of sweets.

Faced with the challenge, the cooks at the Gurdawara managed to develop a recipe for the healthy sweets under the guidance of South Warwickshire Dietetics Service in time for the 2005 Diwali celebrations in November.

Calendar A Diwali health calendar for 2006 partly funded

by Diabetes UK South Warwickshire Voluntary Group and South Warwickshire PCT was developed and made available freely.

Themed around health and lifestyle the calendar is uplifting and positive with clear messages about health within the south Asian community. It has been extremely well received within the community who are thrilled to finally have a visual health educational tool targeted at their specific needs.

Health Fair A health fair for the people of South Warwickshire aimed at providing risk factor testing, lifestyle information and advice was held in November 2005. It was extremely well supported by medical students and leading consultants from Warwick Hospital who carried out rolling lectures on topics such as managing diabetes and childhood obesity. Evaluation forms revealed that personalised risk factor testing was valued the most

Encouraging Asians to live a healthy life The idea to help the Asian community of Leamington Spa choose health came about in 2004 during Cllr Mota Singh’s term as mayor of Leamington.

Cllr Singh is an influential figure within the community and was only too aware of the health issues affecting

Hints and tips featured in the DVD Recent findings suggest Asian children and young adults are now getting diabetes earlier - it’s time for the whole family to change. Now the warm weather is here why not make some gradual changes? Try:

Dancing – practice your favourite Bollywood moves with the whole family

Walk more – walk your children to school, the shops or even try a game of football in the park

Housework burns calories – vacuuming and even ironing!

Use olive or rapeseed oil when cooking – and con sider using the oven and grill instead of deep frying food like samosas

Cut back on salt and use more spices – Asian spices are believed to possess many health benefits

Remember: The size of your waist determines the risk of heart disease. Measure your waist at home. Waist measurement should not be more than 35.4 inches for an Asian man or 31.5 inches for an Asian woman.

Also featured in the DVD are common misconceptions: Is being thin unhealthy?

Why do vegetarians get heart problems?

How to manage men in the home who don't want to change?

To find out more order a free copy by calling 01737 815237 between 8am and 8pm. A Hindustani version is available now. Further information about Apnee Sehat can be found at www.apneesehat.com

Gujarat Samachar Asian Voice

At the DVD launch left to right: Manjeet Gill (community activist), Mr Verdi (general secretary Sikh temple), James Plaskitt MP, Mr Harbans Singh (priest), Dr Shirine Boardman, Dr Stephen Munday (director of public health South Warwickshire PCT), Dr Susa

Cllr Singh had sadly lost his wife to diabetic complications and during his term as mayor chose Diabetes UK (DUK) as his local charity and fundraised for the South Warwickshire Voluntary Group. It was also at this time that he approached Dr Shirine Boardman and pledged his continued support if she would provide some education for the local Asian community. With the help of Atiya Chaudry Green from the National Diabetes Support Team, Dr Boardman was able to start the project.

29

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

5:26 pm

Page 30

Health Care

Taking the stigma out of dementia here are taboos about mental health in any community. However there are added cultural implications for some South Asian communities including language barriers, lack of knowledge about services and not knowing where people can get help.

Meri Yaadain (My Memories), is a new, exciting and innovative partnership venture between Bradford Social Services and Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust, funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The project aims to raise awareness of dementia in South Asian communities. In order to break down the misconceptions about dementia it is important that people are aware of what the condition is, whom it affects and the help available to individuals and their carers.

Whilst statistics show that dementia affects around 750,000 people in the UK, one person in 20 over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80 are affected by this condition. In terms of minority communities it affects approximately 14,000.

Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar

T

30

However, the cultural and community based barriers prevent the access to awareness of the condition as well as the ability to be able to access appropriate support and care.

Although dementia can affect different people in different ways, there are four main types of dementia.

These are: Alzheimer’s – physical causes such as memory loss, communication problems, anxiety or aggression Vascular dementia – where the brain is deprived of oxygen

By Nazia Azam Meri Yaadain Team

Dementia with Lewy bodies – where too much protein builds up in the brain and changes in concentration, language skills and memory problems occur Pick’s disease or fronto-temporal dementia – affects the front of the brain and there is behavioural change in the person.

Whilst the symptoms of dementia vary from person to person, the main symptoms include: Being forgetful Losing communication skills – reading, writing or speaking Not recognising people Behaviour or personality changes Losing sense of time and place Repeating the same thing over again Confused Loss of ability to do everyday tasks.

The early signs of dementia are very subtle and vague, and may not be immediately obvious. Knowing and understanding the condition will help you understand why the person with dementia behaves the way they do. Once you know why they behave in certain ways, this will help you accept and be able to cope with their behaviour.

Continuing to respect and care for the person with dementia is probably the best you can do for the sufferer, probably with lots more patience. Organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help answer your concerns too. But you need to speak to your doctor so that a proper assessment can be arranged and undertaken.

Project Manager Akhlak Rauf said: “The lack of awareness of dementia in South Asian communities is a problem as dementia has been a taboo subject for far too long. We felt it was time to challenge this stigma and reach out to people suffering from early or mild dementia and their carers.

“Challenging the lack of awareness of dementia will enable older South Asian people and their carers to make better informed choices about what kind of help they need and who is best placed to do this.”

For further information about the Meri Yaadain project in Bradford, contact the Meri Yaadain Team on 01274 431308

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

5:04 pm

Page 31

Sec-1_to_32

14/8/06

4:48 pm

Page 32

Health Care

Hands off my property!

Wouldn’t we all love to say this to the tax man? The fact is, if you own commercial or investment property, and are a UK resident who wasn’t born here, you could be missing out on important tax exemptions.

PKF’s taxation specialists can offer you expert advice on all areas of tax planning, particularly with regard to property ownership. We can help you take full advantage of the opportunities on offer, enabling you to make savings that could boost your business.

PKF is one of the UK’s leading firms of accountants and business advisers. For more information on how we can help you reduce your tax burden, please contact Leighton Reed.

Leighton Reed PKF (UK) LLP | 18 Park Place | Cardiff | CF10 3PD Tel 029 2064 6200 | Fax 029 2064 6201 | Email leighton.reed@uk.pkf.com

www.pkf.co.uk

Accountants & business advisers

Building value for developing businesses

PKF (UK) LLP is registered to carry on audit work by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

PKF (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for investment business activities.