Affiliated to the British Heart Foundation and Arrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity
ÂŁ2 Free to Members
Here to help Poole Community Health Centre Shaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT Telephone: 01202 683363 ext. 133 Telephone manned Mondays and Thursdays: 1:30-3:30pm www.poolehsg.org.uk
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 www.poolehsg.org.uk PRESIDENT: Dr. ANDREW MCLEOD Vice Presidents: 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, MA, RGN
PHSG COMMITTEE KEITH MATTHEWS Chairman 01202 855001 DAVID ANDERSON Secretary 01202 697376 RITA HOLMES Treasurer 01202 743960 GEORGE LLEWELLYN Social Events 01202 605455 JAN MESHER Office Manager 01202 250108 DEREK POPE Database 01202 889070 ROBIN PRINGLE Exercise Coord 01202 884250 ROGER RIDOUT Purbeck Liaison 01929 423079 GEOFF LAWRENCE Member 01202 888438 JOHN OFFER Member 01202 386674 GEORGE WILKINSON Member 01202 740374 PAM BAILEY BHF Rep. 01202 574944 LESLEY BRADSHAW Co-opted 01202 691339 (Email addresses have been removed as we are receiving SPAM messages)
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
01202 760350 01202 733956 01202 697376 01202 871532
Please send magazine articles and photos to: Editor, 10 Hill View Road, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9QY or by Tel. 01202 855001 st Magazines are published 1 March, 1st June, 1st September and 1st December. Print Deadlines are 10th February, 10th May, 10th August, 10th November COVER PICTURE: Swanage Amphitheatre 2004 Brenda Ridout
Chairman’s Letter Maybe its because I’m getting to be a grumpy old git, well why not, I’ve worked for it. However, I find myself getting increasingly intolerant of some modern newspaper headlines. In January a story hit the headlines from a massive Cambridge University Study conducted over 12 years by the Medical Research Council’s Epidemiology Unit. This says that although obesity is dangerous, a sedentary lifestyle is just as bad and all the pundits leapt on it to tell us to take 20 minutes exercise. Well, I am in favour of scientific rigour, and the study has more data than that, but really . . . it doesn’t take a genius to suggest that obesity and sedentary lifestyle are linked anyway. To those of us in PHSG the benefits of exercise have long been known. But here we have a massive study with loads of data collection over years which, as far as the newspapers are concerned, “states the bleedin’ obvious”. Give me strength - literally! Just take heart (sic) that if you are exercising with PHSG, you are doing the right thing.
Keith Volunteers wanted to help in our P.H.S.G. Office for only 2 hours a month.
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!).
01202 683363 Ext 133 Manned 1.30 - 3.30pm Mondays & Thursdays
We distribute magazines and sign in each new member. We are on the go all the time from January to December Jan Mesher
Computer skills not needed. PHSG Office Co-ordinator. Full training given
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Medicine and Cardiology News from Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dear Friends, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. As you can imagine it has been a very challenging time over the winter so far as you will all be aware with the media coverage of ED (Emergency Department) waiting times and targets. I myself together with the medical director of emergency services had the opportunity to speak about this on BBC South Today in January. It has however been equally busy in all areas of the Hospital. In Medicine we are sustaining an additional 15 beds on wards in escalation, this out of a total of 63 beds normally. So quite an extra load for the staff to work with, but they are working admirably to ensure patient safety, standards, quality and care remain the highest priority. Admission rates have been up and attendances at the ED department as well. I worked the weekend of the 27th and 28th December having just taken over nursing lead for ED and Ansty and it was the busiest weekend I have ever seen. Staff worked hard to see patients as soon as possible but never the less waits did occur. I was completely impressed by the hard work and dedication of the ED and Ansty admissions unit staff. From the receptionists to the nursing, medical and support staff all worked tirelessly to improve the patient journey and care, and I am proud to add these areas to my portfolio. In the cardiology department we are more than happy with the new extension to the building and from now all the Quality Service Group meetings will be held there. Dr JP Carpenter has agreed to be our link consultant for the group and we look forward to working with him in the future. The medical investigations unit is moving ever forward with new services all the time and we are now looking at having some in-patient beds there, primarily to support our elective work to ensure patients come in in a timely manner. This will add to the already extensive nurse led services on MIU and be managed and supported by the staff there. Our Endoscopy department (also in my portfolio) has been re-furbished to a high standard and the staff are working to ensure this state of the art department continues to drive forward in patient care and diagnostic treatment and delivery. We have a new self-check in service which is working well and in March the unit is due to undertake bowel screening scope lists. There will be two simultaneous lists running which has never occurred before, and the department will be open until 22.00, so real innovation in practice and time to allow patients access later in the day. We are looking as a Trust towards 7 day working and as such matrons and managers have been trialling working weekends in January and February. This has proven to be extremely supportive to the staff at weekends and it is now hoped this will become a permanent arrangement.
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As you can see we never stand still and try to ensure we stay at the forefront of care delivery all the times. I am looking forward to a busy and productive 2015 and a keeping you all informed. Best wishes for 2015 and until next time keep healthy and happy. Geoffrey Walker OBE JP MA RGN Matron Medicine, Cardiology and Specialist Nursing Services Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The thing with hi-tech is that you always end up using scissors David Hockney Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice Doggie’ until you can find a brick Will Rogers You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. Franklin Jones
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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Gender Based Differences I have been asked to write something on the unenviable topic of gender differences in a cardiac presentations and outcomes. This is a huge and controversial topic and the findings are heavily influenced by the population and healthcare system being studied. Nevertheless, several well reported gender based trends seem to remain so please ‘don’t shoot the messenger’. This issue of gender/sex-specific data in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is of enormous importance, given that CVD has become the number 1 killer of both men and women. For women, mortality rates have not declined as dramatically as for men. It would appear that across many different CVD disease subtypes (eg coronary disease and heart failure) women tend to present at an older age than men and there appear to be some subtle gender-related differences in their presentations which may influence their diagnosis, management and outcomes. The definition of symptoms, classically associated with heart disease, has been mainly based on the characteristics of those reported in men. Chest pain or chest discomfort in women is often regarded as ‘atypical’ and these symptoms tend to be misdiagnosed and under-treated. Studies have shown that in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS, unstable chest pain episodes due to coronary artery disease and includes patients with myocardial infarction i.e. heart attacks). Women tend to report more unusual symptoms such as indigestion, palpitations, nausea, numbness in the hands and fatigue than men adding to the diagnostic difficulty. Further, women are less likely to receive appropriate invasive and non-invasive investigations. They are less likely to refer for medical help and present later in the process of the CVD, with delays in the start of effective treatment and receive less evidence-based therapy than men. Women presenting with ACS are typically more overweight and are more likely to have a history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia or diabetes whereas men are more likely to have a smoking history. These factors help to explain some of the gender differences in outcomes. Women presenting with acute myocardial infarction or even undergoing coronary artery stenting (PCI) have higher in-hospital mortality rates than men even after adjusting for the fact that they are typically older and generally had less severe coronary disease at the time of presentation. Similarly for women undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery both short term and longer term mortality has been noted to be higher in women than men. Awareness of these gender based differences is crucial to tackling these inequalities. Things are improving but we do have further inroads to make. Dr Christopher Boos Consultant Cardiologist, Poole Hospital NHS Trust
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Home May Feel Like the Safest Place - But it’s Not! Improvements in workplace safety mean that more people are now killed and injured at home, or while pursuing leisure activities, than in car crashes and industrial accidents. “The reality is that you’re more likely to die sorting out the Christmas lights than an electrician is on a building site,” said Dr Cliff Mann of the College of Emergency Medicine. NHS figures show that 25,000 children a year attend A&E after being accidentally poisoned at home; 26,000 after being burned or scalded; and 4,200 after falling down stairs. Among adults, the most serious accidents often involve DIY. The use of chainsaws and drills can lead to very severe injuries,” said Dr Mann. “Falling off a ladder is another risk. Some people who do that die and some never work again.”
Is Wikipedia a good Doctor? GPs' appointments are often hard to come by, so people may be tempted to look up their symptoms on Wikipedia instead. And there is research suggesting that as many as 70% of doctors and medical students regularly have recourse to it too, reports The Independent. But scientists have warned that the online encyclopaedia contains multiple errors in most of its health entries, and that it should be approached with caution. The researchers, in the US, looked at online entries for ten common conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, back pain and asthma, on a single day last year. Although Wikipedia is constantly monitored for accuracy by volunteers from the medical profession, they found that in nine out of ten cases, the entries contained information that contradicted the most up-to-date medical research. Wikipedia, which is a charity, is the sixth most visited site on the internet.
Anybody can become angry - that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy. Aristotle
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Chats & Talks
Organised by George Llewellyn
Geoffrey Walker - November Evening Meeting Once again, in November, we had the pleasure to hear a talk given by Geoffrey. It is always a delight to see and hear him. Where does he get his energy? He gave us an update on the Medical Investigation Unit Poole that was set up last year. Geoffrey’s visit always prompts lots of questions and comments and this was no exception. I have invited him back again in November 2015 so watch out in the newsletters and magazines later in the year.
Christmas Singalong with Gary - December Chat Stop
It seems to have become a PHSG tradition now. For the last few years Gary Lee comes along to the December Chat Stop and entertains us in his inimitable manner. This year he excelled himself, it was the best ever when he invited a local singing club along to help. Fantastic well done Gary! “Christmas doesn’t start for me until we have Gary and the Christmas Carol”. We certainly got into the festive spirit with mince pies and bundles of mistletoe.
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I’m already looking forward to next Christmas! By the way if anybody is interested the choir is Sing Together, call Anna on 01202 633971.
George
Airwaves are Trading Standards Approved 9
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“The hearse was parked outside with the coffin in the back” Hayley West told reporters in Wentworth Falls (New South Wales) “with the body of my brother-in-law Seth inside. We were all standing round in the foyer, and the funeral directors were just getting ready, when a guy suddenly leapt out of the bushes, jumped into the hearse and started it up. The funeral director was banging on the window saying ‘What are you doing? You can’t drive away in a hearse.’ But the guy just drove off, and we were all standing around saying ‘Oh boy, the hearse has been stolen.’ “After a few seconds, Seth’s brother Tobias leapt into his own car and went off in pursuit of the hearse, while I phoned the police and told them to get here quickly. Then the florist came over and said ‘that is a dead end, he’ll have to turn and come back.’ Tobias blocked the road with his car, so when the hearse eventually came back it had to stop. Tobias jumped out shouting and the guy said ‘I need to get to a hospital.’ The police arrived and took him away. After that Seth’s funeral went off okay, everything was fine. NSW police later confirmed that a 49 year old man had been taken into custody, adding that ‘no further action will be taken regarding the incident.’ ABC Australia 28/1114
TIPS - How to give money away Tax Free You can make gifts of up to £250 to as many people as you like without either party having to worry about tax.. For larger gifts, the allowance is a total of £3000 - any higher and they become subject to inheritance tax if you die within the next seven years. You can give the £3000 to one person, or split it between several people. However, it cannot be combined with a £250 gift. If unused, all or some of the £3000 allowance can be carried over for one year, but not beyond that. When a couple celebrates a wedding or a civil partnership, each of their parents can give them £5000. For Grandparents the limit is £2500, and for everybody else it is £1000. Gifts made “out of income” do not incur inheritance tax liability. The rules are quite complicated but broadly speaking, payments must be part of a settled pattern of expenditure; must be made from income (not capital); and must not affect your standard of living. SOURCE: The Sunday Times
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SUDOKU by Derek
8 5 9 4 3 7 7 6 3 8 4 3 8 1 5 2 9 7 5 2 7 5 2 4 3 9 3 1 4 2 9 8 Spicy Food linked to Testosterone. Men who like spicy food have higher testosterone levels than those with a blander palate, reports Time. For the study conducted at the University of Genoble, 114 men aged 18 to 44 had their testosterone levels tested. They were then given a plate of mashed potatoes and invited to add chilli sauce to taste. Those who added the most sauce had the highest levels of the hormone, which has been associated with thrill-seeking, social dominance and a higher sex drive. “Conversely, low testosterone levels have been associated with lethargy or depressive mood,� wrote the study authors. Chilli is not much favoured in French cuisine; however, commentators suggested that the findings might trigger a new trend.
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The Cutting Edge Advances in Medical Technology - Robotic Massage
By Keith Matthews
I must treat this issue’s advance with a bit of a wry grin for while I appreciate the aims of the work to automate and accurately reproduce physical movements, I cannot get the image out of my head of a mad robot going berserk like in all the best cartoons! To my mind this is not helped by the image of the machine released with the publicity! Let us cast this image aside and concentrate on the practical device which surely must take physical strain out of the act of manipulation while still incorporating the expertise of the therapist. Physiotherapy treatments are widely applied to help restore movement and functions to individuals who have been affected by injury, illness or disability. Traditionally, many physiotherapy treatments have been performed manually by physiotherapists who repeat the treatments regularly - usually on a daily basis - for a prescribed number of weeks to mobilize joints and soft tissues. This is of course very strenuous and a tired therapist may not repeat the treatments accurately. Take a Deep Breath Over the past three years, In use, patents seeking treatment from back pain first enter however, a vision-guided robotic the clinic where they are provided with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card with their name and personal data. system called the CBot has been Next, a trained physician performs a face-to-face diagnosis under development in Spain that to determine the specific type of pain that requires treatment. can apply several types of such A patient is then scanned by a Kinect-based body scanner physiotherapy automatically. after which the physician defines what type of treatment, While the condition of the patient where on the back, and for what length of time, it should be is still diagnosed by a trained applied by the robot. physician, the robotic system The data relating to the specific treatment is then stored on emulates their movements, the RFID card. Armed with this, the patient can enter the clinic at a prescribed time to receive treatment from the CBot relieving them of the physical effort. robotic physiotherapist by plugging in the card like an ATM. The machine has been developed jointly by: Clinica Ordonez www.clinicaordonez.com Robotics Special Applications
Keith PHSG Magazine
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PHSG Meetings - Diary Dates All talks and Chat Stops are at St John’s Church Hall, Broadstone All PHSG talks and Chat Stops are free.
March 3 Chat Stop at 14:00 Talk by Linda Everett. March 12 Annual Dinner (not free!) Call Rita for last minute booking. April 7 Chat Stop at 14:00 April 16 AGM at 19:30 PHSG Annual General Meeting May 5 Chat Stop at 14:00 Denise Edwards - Experiences of a Stunt performer in film and television. “My talk is about my experiences working as a stunt performer in films and television. In brief I have been working in this industry for 33 years initially as a stunt performer and latterly a stunt co-ordinator, although now retiring. I talk about how a childhood passion and dedication for sport led me to being involved in the profession, one that I wouldn’t have chosen. I outline what it takes to become a stunt performer, the skills, the training, the fees, the insurance, the subscriptions and then I recall some of my experiences working on various films and television productions as well as actors for whom I have doubled.”
May 28 Evening Meeting at 19:30 Chairman’s Wife’s Super Prize Quiz. Come along to a super quiz, where we will make up teams (or you can come as a team). The rounds will each be on different subjects, some more light-hearted than others. Question setter Janet Matthews, Question Master - Keith Matthews.
June 2 Chat Stop at 19:30 Richard Edwards - Experiences of a Documentary Cameraman Richard’s talks are drawn from some of the more interesting and exciting experiences gained over a 30-year career as a Cameraman in UK Television. Richard changes his talks to be topical but he has stories from filming the series “O’Shea’s Big Adventure” for Ch4 and filmng herpetologist Mark O’Shea in his quest to capture and handle the most venomous and dangerous snakes and reptiles in the world. These are punctuated with a variety of incidents depending on what he feels like at the time, e.g. his first scuba dive in the murky waters of River Tyne, A dive on a secret and surprising shipwreck, a very near miss underwater, and a very close underwater encounter with a killer whale.
Remaining Chatstop Dates in 2015 at 14:00 October 6th November 3rd December 1st
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Exercise Venues EMMA : Members will see from the photographs on Page 21 that Emma gave birth to twin girls. Rhiannon weighed in at 6lbs 12oz and Lily at 5lbs 2oz. Congratulations to Emma and Richard from all at PHSG but, in particular, from all those delighted great aunts and uncles who so enjoy Emma’s classes. It was wonderful for two of her classes to be treated to a visit recently from Mum and the girls. We all pass on our congratulations to this lovely family. Very many thanks to all our other trainers for filling in and keeping the classes going. Emma is hoping to return for one morning a week to start with just after Easter. MICHELLE : Congratulations also to Michelle who is now fully qualified. It is difficult for our trainers to study and take the BACPR Phase 4 examination while working and at the same time balancing a family life. Well done Michelle. CAROLINE : Our team of 8 trainers has been supplemented by Caroline Luff over the past few months who came to us already qualified and has filled in at a number of venues. Our thanks to Caroline and more of her in a future edition of the magazine. BLUE FORMS : Blue forms are used basically to ensure and sign-off members as ‘fit for exercise’. The forms were drawn up when PHSG started so as to keep a member’s GP in the loop when patients were clearing rehab and joining PHSG. They have been used for over 20 years. The majority of GPs saw PHSG as a great benefit to their patients and gladly completed and signed the forms. However, over the years a very small minority of GPs objected and it has become necessary to smooth ruffled feathers on occasions. We finally obtained permission for the Rehab nurses to complete forms resulting in the introduction of Yellow Forms. This has helped enormously and it also speeds up the process of membership. However there are still times when the old Blue Form is needed when we get applications for membership from the general public. PHSG is here to help former patients and others to benefit from regular cardiac exercise which should in turn help keep the queues down in surgeries and A&E. It is therefore annoying to hear that a new member was asked for a fee of £50 by his GP to complete our form . . . this was subsequently reduced to £13.30 after a protest. Have any other members been charged such a fee? If so we would like to hear from you so that we can take the matter up with the BHF and/or the local MP.
Robin
Membership Update Full members: 679 Committee members: 12 Advertisers: 5
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Partner members: Honorary members: TOTAL: 1113
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Derek
PHSG Exercise Venues All sessions last 1 hour Ashdown School Sports
Canford School Sports
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday
12:00 09:30 09:30 09:30
Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday
09:00 09:00 09:00 09:00
Ferndown Sports
Monday 10:30 Wednesday 11:00
Hamworthy Fire Station
Monday
“Hearts on Seats”,Broadstone
Thursday
Images, Lower Parkstone
Wednesday 11:00 Friday 11:00
Lytchett Minster Sports
Tuesday Thursday
10:30 10:30 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00
11:00
10:00 13:30
18:00 18:30
“Step Down” QE Academy Wimborne Tuesday
14:30
Swanage, Burlington Sports Club
Tuesday
14:30
Wareham, Purbeck Sports Club
Monday Thursday
16:00 11:00
19:00
15:30
Our “Hearts on Seats” is designed for the less physically able. The “Step Down” class is designed for members with more complicated heart problems and is conducted by the Poole NHS rehabilitation team in collaboration with Poole Heart Support Group.
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
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PHSG Magazine
Travelling with Medications
By Michèle Carbery
Travelling can often be an exciting adventure, either by choice, or by circumstance when things don’t go as planned. It is wise to be prepared and this is especially vital when a traveller is dependant upon essential prescription medications to maintain and protect health. Plan well ahead of your trip, the NHS advises, “If you need prescribed medication for your health condition, talk to your GP or practice nurse about your travel plans at least two months before your departure date. They can tell you if you need to make any special arrangements.” Consider asking your travel insurance provider about cover for your prescription medications. Specialist travel insurance providers such as Able2Travel can help you find cover for medical conditions AND some protection for costs related to replacing prescriptions if they are in your travel baggage and it is lost or damaged. It is also very important to make sure that your prescription medication is permitted in the country to which you are travelling, including countries you are passing through. Some countries have very strict requirements regarding certain drugs. In some cases medicines available in the UK are considered illegal substances in other countries. To check the requirements regarding your own prescription, your doctor may be able to provide helpful resources and you can visit the websites of embassies and other diplomatic agencies. Keep your medicines and prescriptions well-organised and always keep an ample supply of essential medications in your carry-on luggage for your journey, including extra in case of delays or if your luggage gets lost! Consider packing your medications in a clear plastic bag with the prescription written by your doctor. You will need to check airline restrictions regarding liquid medicines. Your pharmacist can also provide advice and potentially repackage certain medicines in smaller, properly labelled, containers for you. If your medicine needs to be kept cool, you may need to use a cool bag or ice pack. Have a back-up plan for keeping your medications cool for extended periods of time in the event of unexpected delays. Take your doctor’s prescription with you. Be aware that some overseas pharmacies may only fill prescriptions written in that country, so if your prescription medication is lost, you may need to see a doctor in the country you are visiting and have your diagnosis verified in order to get a similar prescription and medicine. Having your doctor’s prescription and contact information with you may be very helpful in this process. If your prescription medication is in your baggage and is lost for more than 12 hours or damaged, it could be costly to have it replaced with similar medication. Able2Travel provides up to £500 cover for loss or damage to prescription medications subject to the excess and the terms of the policy. Call 01892 839 501 for a free quote from our friendly team and to learn more today. Happy Travels from the Able2Travel team. HELPFUL RESOURCES: NHS: ‘Can I take my medicine abroad,’ http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1074.aspx?CategoryID=70
Michele PHSG Magazine
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Christmas Fun & Ga We didn’t go hungry
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A good gathering working up an appetite
Games at Canford
ry
Three trainers to keep us in line
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The Ladies Table for the Quiz
I judged from the reception I got at Christmas Fun Day at Canford (jeering and throwing food) that the quiz was a bit difficult! I must admit I thought it was, and I knew the answers. I’m not making excuses (yes I am) it was the third Christmas Quiz I have put together and yes they are getting harder. So, don’t despair, next years will be a general knowledge one and a bit easier. If anybody has any ideas for a theme or format let me know and don’t be shy if anyone else wants a bash at it I will not be offended!
George L Lesley knows how to make an impact!
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Emma Visits us at Canford in January.
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Medical Clinical Care Group
Jim Waine
Proactive Development Unit for Cardiology and Medicine PHSG has a voice in this influential group, representing the views of its members. The Group is held under the capable chairmanship of Geoffrey Walker OBE, Matron of Cardiology and Medicine, and it really gets things done! Positive changes are made to hospital procedures as a result of patient feedback being given to PHSG representatives. All PHSG members can report back on their experiences of their treatment in Poole Hospital in complete confidence. So if you want to say something 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. Looking forward to hearing from you! Jim Waine, Vice President PHSG 01202 871532 Quality Service Group meeting cancelled due to pressures of work.. Geoffrey Walker is now Matron for Medicine/ Specialist Medicine/ Emergency and Ambulatory Care Medical Group. As there is no news from the QSG meetings you may find it interesting to read about my visits to Poole Hospital. Being a member of the QSG, I can accompany Matron Geoffrey Walker on his ward rounds. I have done so on two occasions recently; the first being in November when the winter pressures on the hospital had increased enormously. The second visit was in January, the pressure still being very high. The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit was noticeable for its tranquil environment. I met two members of staff who had been interviewing applicants to work in the unit, one male and one female. I was also advised of two patients who were being transferred to the unit from other wards within the hospital. I also viewed the screens that monitor patients, not only in this unit, but also in other parts of the hospital. The Pacemaker Unit has been extended to cope with fitting and servicing, but, as yet, they do not deal with ICDs. On my last visit in September, we met Dr Booths who was fighting with the computers. Some were very slow, or not functioning. This obviously stopped him carrying on with his work. On this visit we met an IT gentleman who said that all computers had been upgraded to Windows 7 from XP. However, it was not possible to upgrade further to Windows 8.1 as the software was not yet compatible. I also passed by individual rooms that would be used should Ebola rear its ugly head. For the first time we visited the A&E Department. The walk in waiting room was almost full. We went round the area for treatment rooms, and also the ambulance entrance to A&E. This is a massive area and was full of staff and patients. Of patients arriving in A&E
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40% are brought in by ambulance. This area is not visible from the waiting room and I commented that the people in the walk in area do not realise how busy it is in the rear. I suggested that a sign be put up in the reception area giving waiting times, but, most importantly, also saying that there are ambulances (with the number of ambulances) being dealt with at the rear, involved with road accidents and other emergencies. On my second visit, which was at a busier time than the first, I chatted to staff who were pleased that a lay person had come to see the pressure they work under each and every day, week after week. It's amazing and unimaginable the pressure that the staff are working under to save lives and help patients. They can also be subject to abuse, but must perform to reach performance percentages. At the time of my visit they were attaining 97.8%. These members of staff are worth their weight in gold! The new Endoscopy Department was up and running at the time of my last visit. There are individual male and female rooms for examination, with a recovery area and a new self-booking in computer at the entrance. It is anticipated that it will soon be running a 10 hour day, and a service whereby you can phone in to book a same day walk in appointment. I asked in the previous magazine if your Doctor had checked your pulse when you visited last, or when you had your flu jab. I ONLY HAD ONE MEMBER PHONE ME TO SAY SHE HAD! Is this correct - only one Doctor in Dorset is checking pulses? If you have comments views or ideas about any of the above, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you (preferably in writing or by e mail.
Jim
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The Purbeck Christmas Dinner
Robin Pringle
Maggie and I are lucky enough to be invited each year by Roger Ridout to this dinner for PHSG members in Swanage and Wareham. We try to attend this event if possible as they are a great crowd over there in that neck of the woods. Who is this Roger? Well you can read about him on the page opposite as he is one of our profiled members this month. Roger has been running the Purbeck end of PHSG for many years which takes a lot of work off my hands and I am most grateful for that! He musters the members, organises the events, liaises with the two venues and, most importantly, does his level best to keep that Clare in order! This year’s dinner was held at Dorset Golf Club which I thought was an excellent venue. It is the custom for Clare to take the floor after the meal to present a number of trophies and being very careful to distribute them equally to those from Swanage and those from Wareham. I am sure all recipients deserved them but mention should be made of Andrew, who broke his own record with 313 skips in 2 minutes. It is at this stage every year that Clare delivers the sermon. After giving us all a dire warning she started waving a book in the air in the manner of Billy Graham or Reverend Paisley. She began extolling the virtues of Water and Salt. We knew about the water but she wasn’t about to be silenced as she read tracts regarding the benefit of salt. It was now time for Roger to take the floor and run the raffle and prizes. It was at this stage that I rushed forward for I was determined to present him with a couple of bottles of his favourite wine (Barolo) as a token thank you from the committee for all the splendid work he has done for PHSG over the years. I have to admit that after hearing Clare I did think about keeping the wine for myself and handing Roger a packet of salted crisps and a bottle of water. I gave him the wine. As I returned to the table Alf Marriott was setting a precedent and many male members were following suit pushing their alcoholic drinks aside, emptying the salt cellars into their mouths and drinking water straight from the carafes on the tables. I also followed suit and then had to stop the car five times on the way back to Wimborne. I couldn’t help wondering how many times Alf and the others had to stop the Swanage Coach on the way back home. Clare . . . do please take all this with a pinch of salt !!! All in all an excellent evening. Thank you Roger. Robin
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Meet our Members A Showcase on Members - Roger Ridout Dorset bred, London born - a bit of a funny introduction! My Dad came from Bournemouth, but his forebears lived in Okeford Fitzpaine where Roger Ridout a Miller was a notorious Smuggler during the 1700's with Poole based Issac Gulliver. Between them they brought large quantities of contraband inland from the coast and stored them in the aptly named Fiddleford Mill. Dad moved to London as a young man where he met & married Mum resulting in the births of my elder sister, myself and younger brother. We lived in Chiswick & survived the blitz, despite having the adjacent semi-detached house destroyed & demolished by an incendiary bomb, resulting in our party wall being held up by substantial timber props. These were removed after the war in 1947, prior to the wall being pulled down for a rebuild, with a temporary scaffold & canvas cladding as the only protection against the severe cold winter, during which the River Thames froze. No wonder I finished up warm blooded. Our former home is still a detached property. I think these events must have founded my interest in building, having spent the early years of my working life in housing development on the Surrey/Hampshire borders before moving to Swanage in 1978 with Brenda my wife of 54 years, and our three lovely daughters, who have produced four grandsons and four granddaughters. I then entered the world of commercial construction resulting in extensive travelling and long car journeys. Having obtained a senior position with a National Contractor in their Southern Regional base in Southampton with a lengthy daily commute, my duties were to negotiate large public sector and commercial contracts. Whilst driving from home in 1999 to a new site in Portsmouth I was extremely sick a number of times on route. This turned out to be a heart attack resulting in a triple bypass operation. During Cardiac Rehabilitation I met my oid friends Fiona Keene and Lesley Bradshaw, before joining the Purbeck Phase 4 Exercise Sessions taken by Clare Barratt, with whom I still act as her Coordinator after 14 years. Having also had a cardiac arrest in 2012 and been fitted with an ICD I am now a bionic man, but being serious, wish to thank these super ladies for keeping me fit enough to survive and enjoy a full and active lifestyle. My wife Brenda utilises her background in the theatre as the Director of all the Musicals at the Mowlem Theatre, winning a number of Awards for her Productions. Added to my volunteering to Project Manage such ventures as the 'Heroes Haven' a unique holiday dwelling for disabled servicemen. This has helped us both provide added value to the local community.
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Meet our Members We noticed an award in the New Year Listings and realised that Margaret was the wife of PHSG member David Hannibal. Warmest congratulations to Margaret from us all at PHSG. David, who is also a trustee, writes: My wife Margaret, founder of the Dorset charity Mosaic has been awarded an MBE in the 2015 New Year Honours list. Margaret and Psychotherapist, Patricia Williams, set up the charity in 2007 and over the past 7 years, staff and volunteers have worked with over 800 children and their families. Mosaic provides support for children and young people up to 18yrs who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or loved one and who are finding it difficult to understand the overwhelming feelings and emotions grief can bring. Although hospices provide support for families where the death has been caused by terminal illness, before Mosaic there was a gap in the provision of support for other causes of death, i.e. murder, suicide, sudden or accidental death. The charity provides individual, family group work and a residential weekend programme. The weekends are held twice a year and give children and young people the opportunity to meet others, share their experience, learn how to express feelings like anger safely and have fun. When someone dies and adults are dealing with their own grief, children often get overlooked and sometimes things may not be explained in a way they understand. However, children, even babies, will know that something has changed. Mosaic also offers support to those young people facing the death of a loved one, and training for professionals and agencies working with young people. 18 months ago the charity was struggling to survive but the commitment and dedication of the staff and successful Children in Need and National Lottery applications has helped put Mosaic on a stronger basis. Margaret is very honoured and surprised to have received this award but it is always a team effort and says that without the support of her family, the staff, volunteers and everyone at Mosaic we would not be able to provide the service which is so important for these young people.
David
If you’d like to make a donation then visit Mosaic’s Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/mosaicfamilysupport/donate/
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PHSG Magazine
Come Walk With PHSG Well, here we go again and looking forward to a much better 2015. With this issue of the Magazine we are mailing the new summer Walking Book to those of you who have ordered it. If you have not, here are the first two walks and any PHSG members are welcome join us. Then you can buy the full book later! We are a fun group, and enjoy great pub lunches and we’d like to welcome new walkers.. See you in April!
Saturday 11th April
Cyril
The Bankes Arms, Studland 10:00am Distance 3¾ miles - OS 195 SZ037825 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 in reverse 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.
N
♥ The PHSG committee acknowledge gratefully the passing over of a sum in excess of £50 from Walking Group.
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Wednesday 22nd April
Pamphill & Cowgrove 10:00am Distance 3 miles - OS 195 ST991997 Park and meet at the car park opposite the cricket pitch. To get there take the B3082 out of Wimborne, turn left shortly after passing the school, signed to Pamphill, take the next left and the car park is on the left.
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→ ♥ TOP TIP: Call your dog “Five Miles” then you can tell people that you walk five miles every day.
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David Steel and Jim Waine organised a PHSG walk on the 28th January. During the winter walks we may stop on route for a coffee break, at this stop we all enjoyed our coffee and to our surprise we were treated to a free, yes free, Danish Pastry! We have been asked by many members of the walking group the name of this venue, so the name is “Quay Café 18
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☺I heard a rumour that Cadbury is bringing out an oriental chocolate bar. Could be a Chinese Wispa. ☺I thought I saw some Star Wars chocolate bars when I was in the supermarket earlier. I was mistaken, it seems that it was just a Galaxy far, far away. ☺I was raised as an only child. That really annoyed my sister. ☺ On a beautiful summer's day, two American tourists were driving in Wales. At Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogoch, they stopped for lunch, and one of the tourists asked the waitress, “Before we order, I wonder if you could settle an argument for us. Can you pronounce where we are, very, very, slowly?” The waitress leaned over and said “Burrrr Gurrrrr King." What do you get if you cross a snowman and a vampire? Frost bite. Doctor: You've contracted onomatopoeia. Patient: Oh. Is that serious? Doctor: It's just as bad as it sounds. The inventor of predictive text has died. His funfair will be hello on Sundial. Young Man: I say, are you a model? Young Woman blushing: Well, yes, actually. Young Man: Oh good, for a moment there I thought you were real. If you've seen one American shopping centre you've seen a mall. We went snail racing the other day. the unbeaten favourite one lost a couple of times so they took its shell off. It didn't work, it just made it more sluggish. Is the Earth, without Art, just "Eh"? Frodo woke up one morning to find a Tesco supermarket had been built next door. Unexpected item in the Baggins area! How do you tell the sex of an ant? Put it in water. If it floats it is boy ant. Why was the baby ant confused? Because all her uncles were ants Carbon-14 dating? I think it's disgraceful They should wait until carbon is at least 16 I had a fling with a woman from my fencing club. It was a rather sworded affair. My mate tried to have an affair with her too but it was foiled by her husband.
A group of old people were sitting around talking about all their ailments. "My arms have got so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one. "Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts are so bad; I can't even see my coffee." "I couldn't even mark an "X" at election time because my hands are so crippled," volunteered a third. "What? Speak up! What? I can't hear you," said one elderly lady. "I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said one, to which several nodded weakly in agreement. "My blood pressure pills make me so dizzy!" exclaimed another. "I forget where I am, and where I'm going," said another. "I guess that's the price we pay for getting old," Winced an old man as he slowly shook his head. The others nodded in agreement. "Well, count your blessings," said a woman cheerfully . . ."Thank Goodness we can all still drive."
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How to be eccentric in old age! With a serious face, order Diet Water in the restaurant. Getting money from the ATM, scream 'I Won! I Won!' When leaving the Zoo, start running towards the Car Park, yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!' Tell your grandchildren over dinner: “Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go.” Go to a large Department store’s fitting room, drop your trousers to your ankles and yell out: “There is no paper in here!” Its a Dumb World
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Question: “If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer: “I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever which is why I would not live forever. Miss Alabama 1994 Smoking Kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life. Brooke Shields Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Mayor Marion Berry, Washington DC That low down scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a Jackass, and I’m the one to do it. Congressional candidate in Texas I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix. Al Gore We’ve got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need? Lee Iacocca The word “genius” isn’t applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein. Joe Theisman, NFL Quarterback We don’t discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people. Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Insructor. Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances. Department of Social Services, South Carolina
☺ Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke? ☺ Why do banks leave vault doors open but chain the pens to the counters? ☺ Why do supermarkets make the sick walk to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front? ☺ Why do we leave cars worth thousands in our driveways and put our useless junk in the garage? ☺ Why don't you ever see the headline ‘Psychic Wins Lottery’? ☺ Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? ☺ Why isn't there mouse-flavoured cat food? ☺ Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? ☺ Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? ☺ If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?
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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 22 Mar Sandbanks Shore Rd - Ferry Oil Run Sunday 19 Apr Wimborne Square - Blandford Bash Sunday 24 May Broadstone Leisure - Lytchett Link Sunday 21 Jun Rotary Father’s Day Bike Ride In bad weather call before 9:00am to see if the ride is going ahead.
The cycling group ride through the winter despite the cold, but we do tend to keep the rides short and head for the coffee stop a bit quicker! Here we are all enjoying the runs leader’s invitation to coffee and home made mince pies in the run up to Christmas. We have finished the ride so we can relax feeling quite holy about things. On the right you’ll notice poor John with his arm in a sling. He was out cycling on his own the week before and a nice lady decided to deposit him in the road requiring an ambulance trip to A&E at Poole. As you can see, he’s still smiling and thanking his membership of the Cyclists’ Touring Club who’s legal department are pursuing his claim with their customary vigour.
Keith
WALKING FOOTBALL There seems to be some interest in starting up a “Walking Football” section. Will anyone interested in playing or willing to referee or interested in running a section please contact Derek Pope. Details inside the front cover of the magazine.
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I Do Love a Bargain! Last year, as many of us do, I went for an eye test. Also like many of us, I needed new prescription lenses in my spectacles. I was also told that I now need specs for driving too. At my last session I bought some lovely frames which I would prefer to keep and thought to have new lenses put in those would be a good and cheap option. Oh no! I had the same offers from two well known Opticians. I could have one new frame (plus one free) with new lenses for around £84.00. To have one pair of my own frames with new lenses would cost £85.00! Then a friend recommended Williams Harris Optical. I believe they actually supply some of the shops, so you are I think "cutting out the middle man". I had my two pairs of frames made up with the new lenses. Both had a scratch proof surface. One was made up with darkened glass so I can sit in the garden and read. I had an old pair made up with driving lenses which have an anti-glare finish. All this for just under £100.00! Williams Harris do have some frames to choose from but not a great deal. At the moment they do not do eye tests, but they tell me they hope to in the future. So, if you are like me and DO like a bargain, you now know where to go! WILLIAM HARRIS OPTICAL - 01202 686622 4 Stanley Green Crescent. Industrial Estate. BH15 3TH
Jan
Coding for Juniors Barclays have an initiative to help children learn how to code (write programs) for computers. There is an option on the page to ‘Book a Code session at your local branch’, (Barclays at 100 Poole High Street is involved) so that is one option. Children from 7 to 17 can go along but they need to take a laptop and a parent with them. Follow this link: http://www.barclays.co.uk/DigitalEagles/BarclaysCodePlayground/P1242686640999 The other option is to click on the ‘Explore Code Playground’ blue link on the page, this takes you to a quite busy page designed for kids with a lot of things moving around. You or your children or grandchildren can see a bit of coding here and change things. Just click on one of the moving items and a box pops up giving you one or more items you can change, then click on ‘apply’ and see what difference your code change has made. I played with this for a while and it should give kids who can read an indication that ANYONE can write code, yes – even you! II’ve got no affiliation with Barclays and Inever banked with them but I applaud what they are doing.
Derek
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ASTRONOMY WORD SEARCH ANDROMEDA; ASTEROIDBELT; CERES; COMET; DEIMOS; DOPLERSHIFT; EARTH ECLIPTIC; ERIS; EUROPA; HORSEHEAD; HUBBLE; ISS; JUPITER; KUIPERBELT; LIGHTYEAR; LUNAR; MAGELLANICCLOUDS; MARS; MERCURY; MESSIER; MILKYWAY; NEPTUNE; OORTCLOUD; PHEBOS; PLUTO; POLESTAR; REFLECTOR; REFRACTOR; SATURN; SEDNA; SOUTHERNCROSS; SUN; TRANSIT; URANUS; VENUS
O T U L P D A E H E S R O H L F E S
L O S Z B T K X E C L I P T I C C D
I O D K I H J L A U R A N U L P O Z
N R U T A S B B R A R H U B Z R C A
U T O R Z B A S T E R O I D B E L T
S C L K U L Y S H U E V P R J F J L
K L C H K S E R E C R V A A Y L S E
D O C N P L U V U E S E W A S E F B
A U I E O X S N T C Y U W F R C R R
D D N P P R P I A T R Y N I D T E E
E F A T T Y P J H R K E S E S O I P
M A L U L U S G I L U E M G V R S I
O N L N J R I I I T I S N A R T S U
R D E E A L U M E O N O P R K T E K
D E G M E W S M S H S O M I E D M F
N S A S F S O U T H E R N C R O S S
A K M S I C A E R O T C A R F E R B
X T F I H S R E L P O D S O B E H P
Our Word Searches are compiled by Derek Pope
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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 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, Poole Community Health Centre
Shaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT Affiliated to the British Heart Foundation and Arrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity Hill View Typesetting 01202 855001 Printed by Top Coat 01202 820959