LOCAL GOOD NEWS

LOCAL GPS PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN RESEARCH DURING THE PANDEMIC

Members of the Staploe team pictured 2019

GPs in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough played a key role in finding ways to treat people with COVID-19 and other conditions over last year, data from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) show. Research staff at GP practices across the East of England ran 38 studies from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021, resulting in the enrolment of 22,812 volunteers taking part in clinical trials.

GP teams are instrumental in delivering research into many conditions every year, including diabetes, stroke and heart disease, but last year saw their focus widen to helping find treatments for COVID-19. This led to a ground-breaking discovery that a commonly-used, inexpensive asthma drug may shorten the recovery time for people over the age of 50 with early COVID-19 symptoms.

Results from the PRINCIPLE (Platform Randomised trial of INvestigations against COVID-19 In older PeopLE), funded by the NIHR, showed that people aged 50 or over with early or mild COVID-19 symptoms who inhaled budesonide twice a day, for two weeks, had a shortened recovery time by an average of three days. Recruitment for PRINCIPLE is still ongoing and participants can join from anywhere in the UK, either online, over the phone or via a healthcare professional, and without needing face-to-face visits with the trial team in Oxford. It is currently the only COVID-19 trial being managed by GP practices and surgeries across the country.

Dr Anthony Gunstone of the Staploe Medical Centre in Soham, said: “The PRINCIPLE study is vital because it gives GPs in the community the opportunity to help investigate existing medicines that may help prevent serious illness and patients from becoming hospitalised.”

To find out more about the study and the criteria for participation, visit the PRINCIPLE trial website. More information about taking part in research and other opportunities to take part in COVID-19 research can be found at www.bepartofresearch.uk

PRINCESS OF WALES HOSPITAL, ELY GRANTED OUTLINE PLANNING PERMISSION

East Cambs District Council’s Planning Committee have granted outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely. This is a long awaited and hard fought for milestone in this project which the residents of East Cambridgeshire need and deserve. I want to thank Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust for the incredibly comprehensive planning application and consultation process – delivered in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, I take my hat off to them for what they did and how they did it

Cambridgeshire has recently been granted Integrated Care System status. This is incredibly important to the future of our health and care system as we work to support an ageing and growing population where people are living longer with more complex and multiple needs. We need to fully integrate health and social care, which will work at its best if it is locally understood, locally based and locally run.

Our local Primary Care Network is full of people who get this and are passionate about it and up for it.

The vision for our new Hospital for East Cambs is for a modern hub - all existing services retained, comprehensive GP and pharmacy services, new diagnostic services, additional day surgeries and a new full Local Urgent Care Service with all that that means - standard opening times with on-site back up diagnostics.

This new building will pull new services towards it by the very fact of its existence. The hub must also be utilised to support the wider interests of the wellbeing of our community.

From Anna Bailey

BRIDGE THE GAP

Discover Cambridge from a fresh perspective by taking part in Bridge the Gap!

Throughout August and September you are invited to explore the beauty of Cambridge, while supporting the work of two local charities, by taking part in a novel alternative to the traditional Bridge the Gap Walk. The family-friendly fundraiser can be completed in one day, or over several days, between Friday 13th August and Friday 10th September, raising funds for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

This year, the Bridge the Gap committee have created another fantastic walk, showcasing wellknown and loved parts of the City as well as some fresh perspectives. The carefully crafted route, which covers a distance of about 5 miles, will be self-guided and can be completed at participants’ own pace and convenience, over a time period and day of their own choosing.

The event is open for registrations at the great value of £8 per person, with those under 16 able to take part for free. The fee covers the event pack, which includes a guide booklet filled with route directions and interesting facts; a map detailing the route, and a special activity for those wanting an extra challenge while they walk. All proceeds, including any sponsorship raised by

those taking part, will be split evenly between the benefitting charities, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

Find out more at arhc.org.uk/btg or call 01223 675888.

In aid of Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust Little Band in the Corner Matt Everett Kill Me Kate The Fabs

Haddenham Arts Centre Garden

The café will be open and has a fully licensed bar TICKETS £12, accompanied under 16s £6 Available from 29th May from: Burrows Newsagents, 1a High Street, Ely, CB7 4LJ Haddenham Arts Centre, 20 High Street, Haddenham, CB6 3XA http://www.wegottickets.com/event/515642 £15/£8 on the door if available (cash and cheques only please)

pre-bookable cream tea direct from Haddenham Arts Centre www.haddenhamartscentre.org.uk/events

Ticket holders are asked to bring a blanket or folding chair, and a picnic if desired. PLEASE DO NOT BRING GLASSES OR GLASS BOTTLES. Concert organised by Ely City Amnesty International Group info@amnestyely.org.uk