Red Sky in the Morning!
ÂŁ2 Free to Members
Spring 2014
Here to help Affiliated to the British Heart Foundation and Arrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity
POOLE HEART SUPPORT GROUP MAGAZINE Poole Community Health Centre Shaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT Telephone: 01202 683363 ext. 133 Telephone manned Mondays and Thursdays: 1:30-3:30pm Web site address: www.poolehsg.org.uk PRESIDENT: Dr. ANDREW MCLEOD V.Ps. Dr CHRISTOPHER BOOS MBBS Dip IMC RCS (Ed) MD FRCP RAMC : Dr. DIANE BRUCE MB Bsc.Hons FRCP : ROBERT PAYNE RGN, RHV, BSc Hons, PG Dip PGCE MAGGIE RICHARDSON : JIM WAINE : GEOFFREY WALKER OBE JP RGN,
PHSG COMMITTEE KEITH MATTHEWS DAVID ANDERSON RITA HOLMES GEORGE LLEWELLYN JAN MESHER JOHN OFFER DEREK POPE ROBIN PRINGLE ROGER RIDOUT GEORGE WILKINSON PAM BAILEY
Chairman Secretary Treasurer Monthly Meets Office Member Database Exercise Coord Purbeck Member BHF Rep.
keith@poolehsg.org.uk david@poolehsg.org.uk rita@poolehsg.org.uk geoll@poolehsg.org.uk jan@poolehsg.org.uk derek@poolehsg.org.uk robin@poolehsg.org.uk roger@poolehsg.org.uk
01202 855001 01202 697376 01202 743960 01202 605455 01202 250108 01202 386674 01202 889070 01202 884250 01929 423079 01202 740374 01202 574944
If you know a member who is ill, please tell us by contacting Mavis Terry, Welfare Support, on 01202 874760
OTHER CONTACTS JOHN DEFTY CYRIL MARTIN DAVID ANDERSON JIM WAINE
Chat Stops Walking Group Website Founder and VP
david@poolehsg.org.uk jim@poolehsg.org.uk
01202 760350 01202 733956 01202 687376 01202 871532
Please send magazine articles and photos to: Editor, 10 Hill View Road, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9QY or by e-mail to; editor@poolehsg.org.uk Tel. 01202 855001 Magazines are published 1st March, 1st June, 1st September and 1st December. Last date for articles to Editor is 10th day of month before publication.
Chairman’s Letter Cardiac rehab at the Hospital seems to be in turmoil and last year PHSG had a high level meeting with Hospital staff to discuss it. The rehabilitation team have been told that their use of the Hospital Gymnasium will no longer be possible as it is required for other therapy sessions. A very unsatisfactory room was provided instead, although extra facilities were added after some complaints. Almost immediately after our meeting, these facilities were removed by hospital building services! They were put back again quickly enough but it still tells me that there is an undercurrent here. The team feel that it is necessary to have the early rehab classes within the Hospital building as it is always better to keep a close watch in those first weeks, but the team are being pressed to hold these now at Dolphin Sports in Poole and this regime starts soon. PHSG have approached the manager of the Hospital gymnasium but she has stated firmly that it is fully occupied, although I must say that on the few occasions I have had opportunity to look down the corridor at the Gym it has been empty. Meanwhile, Linda of the rehab team is leaving and there are changes planned in this part of the organisation. Poole NHS Trust have always been in the forefront of cardiac rehabilitation, and they must be sure to remain so. PHSG prefers to express its opinions in a friendly helpful way, but must not be afraid to express its concern. As well as this we have been informed by the Postgraduate Centre that they must now charge us for the room for our evening meetings there and the rates quoted are quite unaffordable. The evening meetings had in fact already been under discussion by us. The difficulties of access to the Postgraduate Centre, the lack of parking, and the problems of new members finding it were only made acceptable by the fact that we had free access. So the Hospital has in fact made our decision for us. David Anderson our secretary has found us an alternative venue. Read more about this on page nine.. Finally on the centre pages, we all say a fond farewell to Linda Everett who leaves in February.
Keith
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PHSG Magazine
Medicine and Cardiology News from Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Dear Friends, Well here we are in the midst of winter with the festive season over and the spring and summer to look forward to. As you all know the merger with the Royal Bournemouth Hospital is now not going ahead so we are working hard to consolidate our services and finances as a standalone Hospital. Morale is good and we received the next to top category by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for care and standards which were excellent. There is much going on within cardiology as we move to ensure we remain at the top of our game in quality and care. The new build is now well under way with the roof and walls in place and on schedule to be completed in March. This will allow for more clinical space for diagnostics and to see patients, plus a new seminar room for meetings and teaching sessions, no more spilling into the corridor when attending a lecture! Our two new cardiologists have bolstered the clinical team and we have a new acting Sister on CCU Sister Emma Beaves whom you will remember from previous articles was the specialist cardiac nurse within CCU. Sadly we will be saying goodbye to Linda Everett the cardiac rehabilitation sister who is leaving the Hospital to take up new challenges in counselling. Linda has been with the Hospital for 15 years and lead for cardiac rehabilitation for 12, she has been an excellent support for me and an outstanding leader of the service taking it forward into the community and commencing the heart failure exercise programme. I am sure you will all join with me in wishing her well for her future career. With Linda leaving and the cardiac rehabilitation team moving offices into the new build in cardiology when completed to keep all the teams together under one roof, it has given us a chance to look at redesigning our services. I will keep you informed of the process and what we have done in my next article when all will be fully functioning.
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I had an enjoyable visit to Norwich University in November to give a lecture on the Medical Investigations Unit and that was well received by the faculty and those who attended. I have also been asked to deliver a Master class on the Medical Investigations Unit, leading the way in nurse led services at a conference run by the Florence Nightingale Foundation. This is a National conference run annually in London over 2 days at the Queen Elizabeth Conference centre, entitled innovation and solutions. There are well over 400 delegates from all over the UK attending as well as senior nurses at National level and officials from the Department of Health. It is a show case for nursing regarding best practice and new services and ideas which can be spread to others; I am very much looking forward to it. So lots happening and exciting times ahead. I look forward to keeping you updated as these changes take place and our services move forward, until next time take care. Geoffrey Walker OBE JP MA RGN Matron Cardiology and Medicine. Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
“Historical apologies are a cheap way for political leaders to show themselves more enlightened than their predecessors" Charles Moore "It is a good rule in life never to apologise. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them." P.G. Wodehouse “Treason is a matter of dates.” Tallyrand
We are affiliated to the Arrhythmia Alliance. Their website lists all their affiliated groups. Review what they do on: www.theheartrhythmcharity.org.uk
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PHSG Magazine
Impressions of Canford
But Robin is Happy
. . . and so is Diane
There is a river in here somewhere
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Obituary - Angie Jenkins Angie Jenkins was a stalwart helper in our office and a great supporter of PHSG for many years. We offer our sincere condolences to her husband Peter.
Walking Group Christmas We acknowledge with thanks a contribution of ÂŁ70.30 raised by the Walking Group at their Christmas Lunch.
Chat Stop Meetings Chat Stop Carol Service in December had thirty people attending and raised ÂŁ6.20. Twenty people attended the January meeting
Airwaves are Trading Standards Approved 7
PHSG Magazine
Membership Matters
by Derek Pope
I’m sure many of you will agree that ‘Membership Matters’ but membership of what? We are all members of Poole Heart Support Group, but did you ever stop to think about the number of things for which you can consider yourself to be a member? I’m a member of PHSG. Presently I’m also a member of the committee; I’m a member of the ‘old age pensioner’ group; the ‘bus pass holder’ group; the group of people who live in Cockerell Close; those with a Wimborne address; those who pay council tax to Poole; those who live in Dorset; who were born in the Midlands; the list goes on. I once watched a program in which Tony Benn recited a list of memberships to which he belonged and it was far more extensive than mine, but I suspect he had given a lot of thought to the subject in the past. So, I have a question. Are you a member of that huge group of people who didn’t make a Will yet? Obviously, I’m not asking you to give me an answer, as it is absolutely none of my business. But I think you should answer the question, to yourself and those you care about, and if the answer ‘YES’ then maybe it’s time to act. It was while I was a member of the group who watch ‘Heir Hunters’ that I thought about this and decided it was worth a few lines in the magazine, as many of the most deserving people get nothing from the estate of someone who thought they would be entitled. The rules simply chop the estate between the heirs as defined by the family tree. If there is no family it ends up in the government’s coffers. If family is found then it is shared according to the ‘closeness’ of the relationships. If that’s not what you want then you are the only person with the power to change things! My wife and I each had similar Wills drawn up soon after we decided our family was complete with two children, but I guess it is time we updated them now we have grand-children to consider. Sorry this has been somewhat different from the normal ‘Membership Matters’, but perhaps it will have made a few of you think. I’ll probably sink back to the statistics for the Summer magazine.
Derek
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PHSG Meetings - Diary Dates Talks are at The Broadstone British Legion, Tudor Road. 7.30pm Chatstops are at St John’s Church Hall, Broadstone 2:30pm All PHSG talks are free. Mar 4 Chatstop with Steve Urquhart on “The Otters” Mar 13 PHSG Annual Dinner at Bentleys Restaurant. Guest Speaker Geoffrey Walker OBE
Apr 1 Apr 17
Chatstop with talk to be arranged. PHSG Annual General Meeting Your chance to hear about the work of the Group and ask any questions you like. Please attend, we’d like to see you all
May 6 May 15
Chatstop with short talk to be arranged. Noel Brennan, Dietician at Poole NHS Trust Come and hear the latest dietary advice and thinking and ask your questions.
Later
There will a Treasure Hunt in the Summer
The problem with our evening meetings is that people don’t come in winter because the weather can be bad and it is dark. They don’t come in Evening Meetings at the RBL Tudor Road the summer because the weather can be lovely and they don’t want to waste an evening indoors! What we have found though is that the Postgraduate Centre at the Hospital can be difficult for people to access, but we have also found that when we have a good solid talk by Poole Medical staff and consultants that people are keen to Chatstop Meetings at come. St John Church Hall There will be a reduction in the Macaulay Road number of talks now and we will limit them to January or February, with our AGM in April and another talk in May. A Treasure Hunt or outdoor meeting is planned for summer and a main medical presentation in October. In the meantime Chatstops will continue as the attendance at these is slowly increasing and we will be having a few short talks at those. The venue for now will be changed to the Royal British Legion in Broadstone. There is good free parking in the streets around.
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PHSG Magazine
Monthly Talks
Organised by George Llewellyn
November - Geoffrey Walker Vice President Geoffrey Walker addressed a good gathering in November and updated us about the progress at the MIU ward in Poole and how it is working. Poor Geoffrey, he was worn out that night having attended a late night meeting up country the day before with a long journey and a hospital shift too. Let him leave us with two quotes from Florence Nightingale and let him get off to bed. “For us who nurse, our nursing is a thing, which, unless we are making progress every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we are going back.” “While the intellectual step has made a foot in advance, the practical foot has remained behind.” Thank you Geoffrey and congratulations on your MA degree.
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January - Alf Marriot A Policeman’s lot turned out to be a very happy one. If you missed this one you really did miss good one. It also happened to be our first talk at the Royal British Legion at Broadstone. Despite the foul night and that people had to find the new venue, we were quite well attended. The room worked well too so I think we have a good place for our talks. Alf, a member of PHSG, is a natural orator, regaling us with anecdotes and stories from his time as a "bobby" on the beat in the Met. Some were amusing and some downright funny, rendering us into roars of laughter. Alf was born in the East end of London at a time when it was important to get a job. He wanted to be a soldier but Mum was having none of that, what would the neighbours think? They would assume a bad upbringing and a falling out with the family. So off went Alf to work in an insurance office. He had a friend who was a copper and that gave Alf the idea; join up as copper, do badly, get the sack and then he could join the army? Plan accomplished. But fate was to step in, Alf found himself standing in the right place at the right time to make a very important arrest. He discovered three things . . . Luck plays a great part; most criminals at that time were a bit thick; and most of all he enjoyed the feeling of catching the rogue! So he stayed and the army lost a recruit. Alf told us stories about characters he worked with and more stories of how thick some criminals were. These all delivered with enthusiasm and humour. Many thanks Alf ! P.S. If there are any more prospective orators out there that would like to tell us their stories please get in touch. If you enjoy the process as much as Alf did you will certainly have a great time.
George
“No one takes himself more seriously than a comedian.” Barry Humphries.
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PHSG Magazine
by Cyril Martin
Come Walk With Us
We have just published the 2014 Walking Book for those of you who have ordered it. For those of you who did not, but might still be interested in joining us, this is the first walk in the book and you will be welcome. Studland is reached from Sandbanks, using the car ferry or by taking the A351 from Wareham to Corfe and the B3351. The Inn is on the right on the right down to the beach. This walk is best done anti-clockwise to avoid a steep climb. There is a very large car park beside the Inn but a charge is levied in summer by the National Trust. Only limited car parking is available outside the Inn. An easy, very popular coastal walk, fairly hilly, but quite dry and often breezy. The scenery is stunning with magnificent views.
Wednesday 9th April - Bankes Arms, Studland 10:30am Distance 3¾ miles - OS 195 SZ037825 From the car park go behind the inn to a stile set in the fence on the left. Go across the field, over a stile in the hedge opposite, and out into the road. Turn right. walking up the road for a short distance, turning left at the War Memorial onto the bridleway, it is signed "Swanage 1¾ miles". Walk along and up the hill past several houses on the right. Near the top the road bear round to the right and on the left is a wooden gate. Go through and follow the track up onto Ballard Down. When you reach the top there is a wooden gate ahead of you, go through and turn left, following the Swanage
Coastal Path, taking time as you go to admire the magnificent panoramic views. Continue on this path, through another gate following the sign for Old Harry Rocks. When you eventually reach the triangulation point there are three paths, take the centre one down to Handfast point and the rocks. Turn left. From here the track leads back to Studland. At one point it passes through a small wooded area which, in late April, is covered in a dense carpet of wild flowering garlic. Just past a hedge of blackthorn the path divides, take the right fork, continuing ahead back down to the road. Turn right, back up the hill to the inn.
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Old Harry
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A Cobweb Shifter . . . & Leg Stretcher
by Eric Bullen
Just a quiet amble to start the summer walks. Meet at Renscombe Farm car park and walk to Chapman’s Pool via the cliff road to Hill Bottom. Then climb the cliff path and steps to the coastal path of St Adhelm’s Head, down the 100 steps into the valley and up the 100 steps on the other side and on to the lookout station. Twice round the old chapel, then back to Chapman’s Pool, down the 100 steps and back up the 100 steps, down the cliff path and steps and find the ambulance service, Coastguard, Air Ambulance, Police, and Fire Service waiting and be told that Poole Hospital has been put on full alert! If this was published a month later I would have been able to say “April Fool!” But I can only say “Gottcha!” I know some bright spark will say, “Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.” or maybe a straight jacket? I hope we see some new faces for the summer walks and maybe a few new eating establishments, pubs to you and me. A BIG thank you to Cyril for his organisation of the summer walks, and to all who led the winter walks, and to Denise and Norman for organising the Christmas Dinner. P.S. If anyone is actually reading my drivel they must be short of a good book, so visit the Chat Stop and buy one from Jan. P.P.S. I have been asked to mention that we are not just fair weather walkers. Sixteen of us turned out for the first walk of the New Year in January. Are you a techie geek? Download the GPX file of this walk from our website! www.poolehsg.org.uk and look for the file studland.gpx
Eric
For those who are interested in the Walking Group, we walk every 10 days on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 5 miles. Some of us round off the day’s walk with a Pub lunch – Pleasure after pain! If you require more information or the Walking Book (£3) please contact me on 01202 733956. Cyril, Walks Coordinator.
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PHSG Magazine
Why you should get fit for surgery Patients could be advised to go on an exercise programme before having surgery, following research suggesting that fitness is far more important than age in predicting whether a person will survive an operation. The study, at Newcastle University, found that younger patients who were unfit were more likely to die than elderly patients who were fit. "We have found that it doesn't matter how old you are, it's how fit you are," Professor Michael Trenell, who led the research, told The Times. His team looked at 389 in-patients undergoing liver surgery, all of whom were tested for their fitness levels. Among the fit patients, 4% of over-75s died, and 1% of under 75s. Among the unfit, 11% of the younger ones died, as did 21 % of the older ones. Murphy's Law : If can go wrong it will go wrong. Two ways to Cole’s Law : Shredded cabbage and carrots in mayonnaise. avoid a stroke Tea's reputation as an elixir of good health has been given a boost by a metastudy showing that drinking three cups a day reduces the risk of stroke by a fifth. Several studies have suggested that black tea has a protective effect on the brain, but the results have never been conclusive. For this major new project, scientists at the University of California brought together five previous meta-analyses (which combine the results of several studies) in an attempt to produce more powerful data. They found that people who drank the most tea (three cups a day or more) were 20% less likely to suffer strokes than those who drank little or no tea. Separately, researchers at University College London, found that walking for 90 minutes a day seemed to cut the risk of stroke by a third, while longer walks cut the risk by two-thirds. Their study, based on 3,435 healthy men aged 60 to 80, indicated that it was the time people spent walking that made the most difference, not the pace at which they walked, reports The Daily Telegraph.
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e.
SUDOKU by Derek
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7 9 6
1 8 9
9 6 7 2
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6 4 7 1 6 7 2 1 8 5 6 8 4 5 9 7 1 2 8 4 9 7 3 Our Sudoku is compiled by Derek Pope
If my body was a car I’d be trading it in for a newer model, I’ve got bumps, dents, scratches and my headlights are out of focus, My gearbox is seizing up and it takes me hours to reach maximum speed, I overheat for no reason and every time I sneeze, cough or laugh, either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires. “A two-year-old is like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.” Jerry Seinfeld
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PHSG Magazine
Know your Trainers
By Robin Pringle
Picture the scene, Dick Stanley is just about to enter Broadstone Sports Centre when his eyes light upon an attractive beggar sitting on the step. It is none other than Lesley with a placard announcing “Single Mum with two children. Please Help” Those who know my good friend Dick will not be surprised to learn he is good-hearted (or what’s left of his heart is)! Being a diabetic he took out his emergency Mars bar split it into two saying “ Here, give this to the kids” He then took Lesley by the hand, renamed her “ Shirl” (after Shirley Valentine) and proceeded to school her into taking over the training duties of those exercising with Lesley Bradshaw PHSG. These first two paragraphs are not entirely a load of baloney but it was as far back as 1999 when we first came across Lesley. When we were forced to set up on our own, Lesley commenced our classes at Ashdown. A few months later she took over our classes at Canford Sports. The rapid expansion of PHSG’s exercise programme led us to start Images at Lower Parkstone, then Lytchett Sports and also Hearts on Seats at Broadstone. It was Lesley who helped us to get started at each of these venues. She then set about helping us to find additional trainers, these being Paula, Angie, Jenni and Emma, to fill and expand our exercise programme. It was also Lesley together with Clare (Wareham & Swanage) who were the first of our trainers to qualify for BACPR Phase 4. It was this qualification which helped her, with our introduction, to obtain a post within the Cardiac Rehab Team at Poole Hospital where she has a part time post. Lesley left her native North East when she joined the Wrens. She left after four years to bring up her family, George and Mollie. In the early days at PHSG these two would accompany Mum to the exercise sessions. George is now a six foot eight, size 17 shoe paratrooper. Mollie having got a first at University has followed her father’s example and is working on a billionaire’s yacht in America. Lesley and partner Scott enjoy their rigorous walking holidays and to date have “done” the Higher Atlas Mountains, the Himalayas, the Alps and more recently Cambodia and Vietnam. Lesley is such a hard worker with a wide variety of other interests and is a loyal friend to all. We are so lucky that she has given and continues to give, such faithful service to our Group. Our very grateful thanks go to Lesley and to all our trainers for the excellent work they do for us in PHSG.
Robin
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PHSG Exercise Venues All sessions last 1 hour Ashdown School Sports
Canford School Sports
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday
12:00 09:30 09:30 09:30 09:00 09:00 09:00
10:30 10:30 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00
Ferndown Sports
Monday 10:30 Wednesday 10:30
Hamworthy Fire Station
Monday
09:30
Hearts on Seats,Broadstone
Thursday
14:00
Images, Lower Parkstone
Wednesday 11:00 Friday 11:00
Lytchett Minster Sports
Tuesday Thursday
18:00 18:30
19:00
Swanage, Burlington Sports
Tuesday
14:30
15:30
Wareham, Purbeck Sports
Monday Thursday
16:00 11:00
11:00
10:30
If you are not exercising with us and would like to start please call Robin Pringle or Roger Ridout. Contact details are on the inside front cover.
“Be yourself: everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde.
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PHSG Magazine
Linda Everett says Goodbye PHSG . . . a I find it hard to believe that it is fourteen years since I started working in the Cardiac Rehab department at Poole Hospital. In 2004, I became Sister in charge, with a clear vision to expand the scope of the service. I wanted to provide not only for those who were fully mobile but also for those with restricted mobility, travel difficulties and those with psychological issues. It is with a sense of satisfaction that I feel much of this has been delivered and my thanks go to my dedicated colleagues who have made this possible. Coupled with the multidisciplinary team, we have made cardiac rehab in the Poole area more accessible with a menu driven programme, including outreach services. I can honestly say, it has been an enormous pleasure to work with such a great team of people. In 2004, my deputy, Vicki Tite took a lead in developing a programme for Heart Failure patients. At the time of inception only twenty other programmes existed but now there are considerably more, some of which have come about with our support. Other services provided include, regular stress management workshops, education mornings, an ICD support group (set up and run by Fiona Keene), and only last month we received funding to provide ‘The Heart Manual’ (a home based programme providing more patient choice). The service now provided is in line with the cardiovascular clinical commissioning group’s specification and we are the first hospital in the area to achieve this. I cannot finish without praising the enormous support our department has received from Poole Heart Support Group. Their input has been immense, providing ongoing exercise for CHD patients, step down groups for heart failure patients, training of Instructors to BACPR standard, seated programmes for the physically restricted patients and so much more besides. It is now time for me to move on to pastures new, but I go with a sense of satisfaction that the department is in good hands and in great shape. Thank you to you all.
Linda
Poole Heart Support Group says goodbye
Thank you Linda for all your work in helping to rehabilitate us all and
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. . and Vicki Tite says Goodbye to Linda On the 17th February, the Cardiac Rehabilitation team at Poole will be saying goodbye and good luck to Linda Everett. Linda has worked in the department for 14 years and been the clinical lead for 10 years. There have been many challenges over the years and the service has grown and developed to meet the needs of local cardiac patients. With her caring, calm and professional manner, Linda has worked hard to ensure that her team provides an excellent standard of care. We would like to thank her for encouraging each one of us to develop and try new ideas. As a team we have worked closely together, becoming good friends and supporting each other through various challenges. We’ve attended cardiac conferences across the UK, had a giggle at social events and celebrated achievements. It was a special moment in 2012 when we were presented with a “Meggit� award as highly commended in the patient care category. Linda`s interest has always been in the psychological care of patients and in her own time she has studied stress management, behavior change, counselling and coaching. More recently she has been providing resilience training for hospital staff. It is with these excellent skills that she will be pursuing a different path. She will be sadly missed, however she can rest assured that the team she is leaving will work hard to continue providing a valuable service. We all wish Linda well and will continue to keep in contact with her and her family.
Vicki
dbye too, and we wish Linda all the best.
all and for your willing co-operation with the group over the years
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PHSG Magazine
And Hello from Emma My name is Emma Beaves and I have recently taken over the post of Sister on the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Poole Hospital. As you have just read, Linda Everett the lead nurse for Cardiac rehabilitation, is leaving. The Cardiology Department will then be formally managing Cardiac rehabilitation. Linda has spoken fondly of the great relationship that she has built with you over the years and I hope to continue this and remain working closely with The Poole Heart Support Group to further develop and continue to give excellent standards of care to our patients. I believe I may have met some of the PHSG committee through my previous role as Senior Staff Nurse on CCU but look forward to meeting more of you. I will be attending the Quality Service Group meeting in March so will formally introduce myself then.
Emma “Listen, someone’s screaming in agony – fortunately I speak it fluently.” Spike Milligan. ADVERTISEMENT
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PHSG Magazine
Medical Clinical Care Group
Jim Waine
Practice Development Unit for Cardiology and Medicine - Quality Service Group Meeting PHSG has a voice on this group representing its members. This exciting group, under the very capable Chairmanship of Geoffrey Walker, OBE, Matron Cardiology and Medicine, really gets things done! Positive changes are made to hospital procedures, as a result of patient feedback given to PHSG patient representatives. All PHSG members can feed back information to Poole Hospital in complete confidence about their treatment. So if you want to say anything good or bad about your experience in Poole Cardiac Unit, or its related departments including the ambulance service, please forward your comments. You can contact me by e-mail (preferred), letter, or telephone. All information will be treated in strictest confidence. Looking forward to hearing from you. Jim Waine, Vice President PHSG jim.waine2@btinternet.com or 01202 871532
At the QSG meeting on the 21 January 2014 Geoffrey Walker Matron, Medical Services. OBE chaired the meeting. Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has four major Director posts to fill, including Chief Operating Officer, Director of Nursing, Director of Finance and Chief Executive. The CEO position has been taken up by Mrs Debbie Fleming who was once a manager at Poole and has worked in several high profile positions including the PCT and NHS England South West and therefore we feel very positive about this appointment. The remaining appointments will be made this coming week, (week ending31st February) Many members of our group have voiced concerns over the financial position of Pool Hospital and it was noted there has been a large amount of negative publicity in relation to the financial position. It was explained that the Trust is in a very positive mood at the present time,with finances almost at a break even point. However as Mr Walker said “We must become a ‘stand-alone’ Trust and continue to work hard to maintain the current services and ensure we are cost effective to secure our position”. The contract for the new Cardiology building, situated on the first floor above the existing unit will be completed in early March. The roof, walls, floor and windows are already in position.
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Linda Everett, who has served for many years as the lead for cardiac rehabilitation will be leaving Poole Hospital. It was reported that her post will not be filled at the current time and will come under the leadership of the cardiology department, creating the opportunity to redesign the services as cardiac rehabilitation moves in to the new building An update regarding Red Cross activities was presented to the Committee by Dr Smart , President of the Dorset Red Cross. She offered the group some staggering figures relating to the Early Release Scheme and reiterated how well this service was performing. To date since the service started in July, it has supported 509 patients enabling them to be released to their homes earlier than they would have been under the previous provisions. The numbers have increased over the past few months and would appear to be about 22-28 patients per week. All requests receive a response within two hours. Support is available for up to 72 hours, although many patients only require a take home and settle service. .Referrals are accepted from most wards; particularly RACE, ED and Dmfe; the majority of patients are between 80-90 year of age. During the quarter the service has continued to record the bed hours saved using the following formulae: if a patient goes home before 1400 then 12 hours are saved and after 1400 24 hours will be saved. Each 24 hour period has a costing of ÂŁ360. Therefore it was calculated that for the period 1st to 31st October 2013 5,964 bed hours had been saved which equates to 248.5 bed days and subsequently ÂŁ89,460 saved during this period. Everyone agreed that this is an outstanding service, and expressed their satisfaction with the progress made so far. The task now is to ensure this continues and possibly roll it out to additional areas of the hospital. Geoffrey Walker read a letter to the group from a member of Poole Heart Support Group outlining her praise for the care she had received during the replacement of her pacemaker, from the Medical Investigation Unit, the staff in theatre and in particular one of the new Consultants Dr John-Paul Carpenter. It is always excellent to receive such positive feedback. This came about as one of our members asked me how could she thank the staff for their excellent care and help when going through a medical procedure. I advised her to write a short letter of appreciation and undertook to pass it on to the hospital management. If you have comments, views or ideas on any of the above reports, please let me know and I look forward to hearing from you.
Jim
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Where Do Your PHSG Shirts Get To? This is not a laundry question about lost T Shirts but it struck me on a recent holiday that our PHSG shirts might get to some interesting and exciting places. So here is the challenge…. Lets have some photos of you and your PHSG shirts on holiday. For Example: Eiffel Tower Great Wall of China Agra and the Taj Mahal Las Vegas The incentive is not just a bottle of wine, but fame too as we will include the pictures in the magazine. Just email your holiday pics!
George
Volunteers wanted to help in our P.H.S.G. Head Office for only 2 hours a month. Please Phone 01202 683363 Extension 133 Manned 1.30 - 3.30pm Mon & Thurs
PHSG Magazine
You can always call the Office ! You can always call the office We’re a happy little bunch. On a Monday or a Thursday, We’re there just after lunch. If you need some information, Exercise or walking club, (Cyril says they ramble and then end up at the pub!). We distribute magazines and sign in each new member. We are on the go all the time from January to December Jan Mesher PHSG Office Co-ordinator.
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Meet our Members A Showcase on Members - This issue: Geoff Lawrence As I put pen to paper, or really keyboard to screen I am contemplating retirement in mid-January after 50 years in printing. Born in New Cross, London I moved to Banbury when I was only 18 months old, so apart from photographs have no real memory of this. Leaving school at fifteen I was offered a six year Letterpress Printing Apprenticeship after having been told by my teachers that I would not get anywhere. I think that I have proved them wrong. I went on to what are now Universities at Oxford and Reading gaining distinctions in all my courses. In 1980, along with many others, I was made redundant from the newspaper plant that I worked for and was offered a position in Hastings or Bournemouth so no prizes for guessing which I accepted. Over the next decades I was to work for several companies finishing up with my own. I am currently the Sales Director of a local Printing Company after selling my own company several years ago through ill health. I met my wife Ruby, a now retired teacher, on a blind date and have been married for 42 years. We have a daughter Jennie who with her husband own and run a media production company. During my free time I have always been involved with voluntary services. These include; The Sea Cadet Corps, St. John Ambulance, Hospital Radio Bedside, Dorset Special Constabulary and Rotary International. My first experience of any heart problems was in 2004 with an angina attack. After having stents inserted I attended the rehab course which I am sure helped me regain my confidence and continued for some time with regular weekly exercise classes. I am afraid that work pressures increased and in 2007 I had a heart attack, but this time I was not so lucky and some damage was done to my heart. Back to the rehab classes again to whom I am eternally grateful, explaining in detail what I should be doing, in my own time and at a pace which suited me. Unfortunately August 2013 brought yet another heart attack and the rest is history. I have lost count of the number of stents that I have but I am positive that without the support of the PHSG the outcome would be very different. I hope that once fully retired I will get to know more of you.
Geoff 25
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Travel Insurance, and you . . . by Michèle Carbery, Voyager Insurance Services When planning a trip – whether it’s a short break, or the adventure of a lifetime – it’s important to make sure you have the right travel insurance for your needs. The right policy can protect you against the expenses of unexpected medical emergencies and/or cancellation of your holiday and other losses. Why might I need medical cover when travelling? In the UK, we are very fortunate to have access to medical care through the NHS. However, if you require emergency medical treatment in a foreign country there is the potential that you will have to pay for it yourself. Medical expenses can be financially devastating and this is where travel insurance really comes in as an essential part of your travel plans and budget. Travel insurance will help pay unexpected emergency medical costs that may be incurred while travelling, in-line with the terms in the policy wording. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a substitute for travel insurance as so many potentially expensive bills will not be covered by one. What if I have a pre-existing medical condition, such as a heart problem? Pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered automatically, so you may be required to go through a health screening process on the telephone to see if your conditions can be covered. There may be an additional premium to pay in order to have insurance cover for these health problems. Whether you need to declare your conditions or not varies from policy to policy, so read the health questions carefully. Cheaper policies often simply exclude most existing medical conditions completely. Why is it more expensive to buy travel insurance if I have a medical condition? Insurers may charge more if you have a pre-existing medical condition due to the increased potential of an expensive claim. For example, the average cost of treatment if you have a heart attack requiring heart bypass surgery in the USA is in the region of £150,000*. So you can see, this makes the additional premium paid to cover a medical condition extremely good value for money. There are a lot of insurance companies and policies – where do I start? As with many services and products, it is worth researching to make sure you find the trusted insurance broker and insurance policy to meet your needs. Asking people you know may also be a first step. When looking at prices, make sure you are comparing ‘apples’ to ‘apples’. If you don’t have the time or facilities to research many different policy options, Able2Travel provides a fast, sensitive and competitively-priced insurance solution for your travel plans and features outstanding customer service. With over 15 years’ experience, Able2Travel is proud to have helped many people to find suitable travel insurance that covers their medical conditions. In addition to the Able2Travel policy, our specialists have access to additional options that may be suitable for more serious medical conditions. This means you can find the cover you need with one call to Able2Travel at 01892 839 501.
Michèle
*Source: Healix
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Canford Christmas Party and Quiz
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My son won a spelling competition at school. The prize was a weekend at Center Parcs. ☺ Some low life broke into our Village Shop and stole all the coffee. I don’t know how he can sleep at night. ☺ I got a new pepper mill at Christmas in the shape of a Womble. It’s rubbish! Everything is under-ground or over-ground!
☺I know some clever women, but I met someone last night who was really bright. Her name was Ellie Dee. ☺ She had a sister called Elsie; you could read her like a book. ☺ Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him - A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis ☺Mary Poppins moved to France and became a nun. She was so devoted to prayer and fasting that she became very frail and was plagued with terrible breath - the Super Gallic fragile mystic ex-p’s halitosis. ☺ A couple are in the maternity ward. Suddenly, the woman starts screaming out "wouldn’t, couldn’t, shouldn’t, haven’t, isn’t, can’t!" over and over again. The man rushes to find a doctor who quickly arrives at the mum-to-be's bedside. “Oh, that's completely normal", said the doctor, "she's just started her contractions!”. ☺ My laptop has a Miley Virus. It's stopped twerking ☺ I bought a litre of Tippex on eBay. Big mistake! ☺ My parents spanked me as a child. I now suffer from a psychological condition. It is known as “Respect for Others”
and in the big questions are . . . ♥ How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? ♥ Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity? ♥ Why does a round pizza come in a square box? ♥ What disease did cured ham actually have? ♥ How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? ♥ Why is it that people say they ‘slept like a baby’ when babies wake up like every two hours? ♥ Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV? ♥ Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.. ♥ Why is ‘bra’ singular and ‘panties’ plural? ♥ Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? ♥ If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
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Quite a few naughty kids didn’t get all the presents they asked for this Christmas. They have only them elves to blame! Overheard during the festive season. A couple were Christmas shopping. The shopping centre was packed and as the wife walked around she was surprised to discover that her husband was nowhere to be seen. She was quite upset because they had a lot to do and hence she became so worried that she called him on her mobile phone to ask him where he was. In a quiet voice he said: “Do you remember the jewellers we went into about five years ago, where you fell in love with that diamond necklace that we couldn't afford and I told you that I would get it for you one day?” The wife choked up and started to cry and said: “Yes, I do remember that shop.” He replied: “Well, I'm in the pub next door!” I went to the pub last night and saw an ample girl dancing on a table. I said, "Nice legs." The girl giggled and said with a smile, "Do you really think so." I said, "Definitely! Most tables would have collapsed by now. " Charles Dickens was despondent in a Paris bar one evening, telling Pierre the barman: “Verily, it is not the best of times, it is the worst of times; I am suffering writer's block and am without an idea for a new work. Let me have a vodka martini”. Pierre replied: “Olive or twist?” Dickens: “Ah Ha!”
☺ They told me I had type A blood; wrong it was a type O! ☺ What does a clock do when its hungry? Goes back 4 seconds! ☺The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends . . . if they're okay, then it's you. ☺ What is the biggest cause of dry skin? Towels. ☺ To err is human. To arr is pirate.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln
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PHSG Cycling Group Rides Rides are about 15 to 20 miles long, the rides are open to all members of the PHSG as long as your doctor approves. For help, advice, weather check and bike maintenance call Keith Matthews on 01202 855001. We’ll arrange to check out your bike if it needs it. STARTS 10:00am Meet & Destination Sunday 23 Feb Broadstone Leisure - Swanning to Poole Park Sunday 23 Mar Hill View Road - Hurn & Throop Sunday 20 Apr Wimborne Square - Blandford Bash Sunday 18 May Ringwood Underpass - New Forest Planes In bad weather call before 9:00am to see if the ride is going ahead. In 2013 we rode every month except January (ice and snow). We had an average of 7 riders and Pete Eame and Alan Griffiths get the attendance shield with 10 rides each, followed by Alan Jeffries and John Wickham 7 rides each.
The Cycle Group relax over mince pies after the December run. The inset is Gerald who took the picture. “A newspaper is a device incapable of distinguishing between a bicycle accident and the end of civilisation.” H.G.Wells
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Part of the reason we’ve not being doing much cycling lately! January 2014
Do you have computer problems? We can resolve your problems for you. Are you unsure what you are doing, do you need assistance, a helping hand or training? We can assist with home PC security, internet connection problems, advice and installation of Broadband, PC networks and supply and/or installation of secure wireless networks in your house. We undertake virus, spyware and ad-ware removal and can supply or install security programs to make your PC safe. Is your old PC slow, is it worth upgrading? We provide impartial advice and can perform upgrades or help with any new PC purchase and accessory quotes. We supply new PCs, install, configure your system and can transfer your existing data. Why not give us a call!
Contact Efficiency Solutions Jeff on 01202 855949 or Mobile 07736 275190
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PHILADELPHIA WORD SEARCH All Key Words have been suggested by Philadelphians! ARTMUSEUMSTEPS; BENJAMINFRANKLIN; BETSYROSS; BOATHOUSEROW; BROTHERLYLOVE; CARPENTERSHALL; CHEESESTEAK; CITYHALL; DECLARATION; DELAWARERIVER EASTERNSTATE; ELFRETHSALLEY; FAIRMOUNTPARK; FRESHPRINCE; HOAGIES; INDEPENDENCE; INDEPENDENCEHALL; ITALIANMARKET; KEVINBACON; LIBERTYBELL; LOVESTATUE; MOSHULU; PENITENTIARY; PHILADELPHIA; PRETZEL; READINGTERMINAL; ROCKY; SCHUYLKILLRIVER; VALLEYFORGE; WILLIAMPENN
N I L K N A R F N I M A J N E B N S D P
O E F R E V I R L L I K L Y U H C S K A
C M A I H P L E D A L I H P O Y K C O R
A U Z G H A P D K L L E B Y T R E B I L
B S P E T S M U E S U M T R A A K J G W
N B L P L L A H Y T I C J U D I A K W H
I B L E Z T E R P S S O R Y S T E B O V
V R U E C N I R P H S E R F Y N T Z R J
E O B E C N E D N E P E D N I E S Y E I
K T Y E L L A S H T E R F L E T E V S L
T H L T E K R A M N A I L A T I S A U E
E E K R A P T N U O M R I A F N E L O U
Z R F Q N N E P M A I L L I W E E L H T
F L Y X Z F B J S E I G A O H P H E T A
W Y Z R E V I R E R A W A L E D C Y A T
Y L L A H E C N E D N E P E D N I F O S
M O Y L T E T A T S N R E T S A E O B E
T V L A N I M R E T G N I D A E R R G V
E E L L A H S R E T N E P R A C R G D O
Our Word Searches are compiled by Derek Pope
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U L U H S O M W N O I T A R A L C E D L
Exercise is so much in the right g easier ea r ! PHSG Clothing
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T-Shirts £7.00
Polo Shirts £11.00
Sweat Shirts £13.00
This exclusive range of clothes are available from the PHSG Sizes Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large. Round or V-Neck Ts
Contact: Sandra Llewellyn at geoll@talktalk.net ,01202 605455 or ask your trainer.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME UNWELL Medical help and advice is available if you become unwell when your GP surgery is closed. You should: Dial 999 or go to A & E as soon as possible if you are worried about the sudden onset of new symptoms or have suffered a serious Injury or illness. A & E departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are for a critical or life threatening situation, for example chest pain, suspected heart attack, severe breathing difficulties, severe loss of blood, loss of consciousness, deep wounds and suspected broken bones. They are not for minor injuries or health problems, nor an alternative to seeing your GP or for a ‘second opinion’ if you have already seen your GP. You can also call Non Emergency Care on 111 if you are feeling unwell but not facing a life-threatening emergency and you are unsure what to do. Use 111 if you need information about finding a pharmacist, dentist or other service and cannot wait until your GP surgery opens. This service replaces the old Dorset Out of Hours Medical Service. Go to an NHS Walk-In Centre or Minor Injuries Unit with a minor injury or illness. Find the nearest one by calling 111
REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE CHEST PAIN DIAL 999 WITHOUT DELAY
Poole Heart Support Group operates under the umbrella of the British Heart Foundation who rely on voluntary help for fund-raising. If you’d like to help them, please contact: Pam Bailey BHF Rep. 4 Knighton Heath Close. BH11 9PP. 01202 574944 Poole Branch meet once a month at Poole Hospital to plan forthcoming events. Hill View Typesetting 01202 855001 Printed by Top Coat 01202 820959