MEET OUR NUTRITIONIST
‘I WAS TEASED AT SCHOOL FOR EATING WELL’
Live life well
The Magazine for the Benenden Community | Spring 2017 Issue 38 | www.benenden.co.uk
Recycle yourself Why we need to talk about organ donation
Win!
The secrets of a good night’s sleep
12
steps to wellbeing in 2017
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*Benenden members will receive £30 M&S gift card when taking out either Buildings OR Contents cover and £60 when taking out both Buildings & Contents cover. You must quote the code HOMEBEN5 when taking out a home insurance policy to receive your gift card. Available to new customers only. Your gift card will be sent via post within 90 days of your Benenden Home Insurance policy start date. No alternative to this promotion will be offered. At the time the gift card is sent out, you must hold a current Benenden Home Insurance policy. Offer subject to availability. Standard Policy eligibility criteria and minimum premiums apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Lines are open 9am - 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9am - 5pm on Saturday. Calls may be recorded for our mutual security and for training and quality purposes. Benenden is a trading name of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited and its subsidiaries. Benenden Wellbeing Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited. Benenden Home Insurance is offered by Benenden Wellbeing Limited, registered in England and Wales (Company No 8271017) Registered Office: Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG. Benenden Wellbeing Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FS Register No 593286). The policy is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. (no. 93792). Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The policy is arranged and administered by Hood Group Ltd (no. 3139744). Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference no. 616402). The Home Emergency and Family Legal Protection covers are provided by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Ltd as a third party provider. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (no. 103274).
Welcome You might have begun 2017 with a list of admirable goals and the willpower to carry them out. If you are already tempted to rethink, or even forget, your resolutions, why not try a different approach? We bring you the good health calendar – a guide to boosting your wellbeing through simple, sensible actions. From cutting out alcohol in January to giving blood in June, each suggestion is a simple step to changing your lifestyle. Put them together and 2017 could be the start of a new you. Among the most important resolutions you could make this year is to consider registering as an organ donor. You could help save a life with the click of a mouse. We explore the emotive and complex issue of donorship in a special focus looking at the views of seven people whose lives have been affected by it. It begins with the story of a remarkable woman who raised awareness of organ and tissue donorship in the most high-profile, innovative way. Corinne Hutton, an amputee who survived a devastating illness, now hopes to become the UK’s second double hand transplant patient. We speak to a postman who donated a kidney to a stranger, and a couple who disagree about whether consent for organ donorship should be presumed, as it is in Wales. If you crave more shut-eye this year, Dr Stuart Farrimond offers 10 ways to get extra sleep. Finally, find out how a team of dogged Benenden cyclists fared in their pledge to raise funds and awareness of mental health in Cycle GB 2016. If all that is leaving you breathless, then sit back and raise a glass – of water – to a happy, healthy new year.
You could help save a life with the click of a mouse
Inside this issue CORINNE HUTTON A campaigner for organ and tissue donorship, Hutton is waiting for a double hand transplant FACT There are more than 6,500 people on the UK national transplant waiting list DR STUART FARRIMOND A teacher and broadcaster, Dr Farrimond tells us the secrets of a good night’s sleep FACT Dolphins and ducks sleep with one side of their brain, and alternate during the night DR GEORGE FRODSHAM The creator of a device that removes malaria-infected blood cells on battling a killer condition FACT Around 3.2 billion people – nearly half the world’s population – are at risk of malaria
COLIN MEARNS; SIMON MURPHY; SHUTTERSTOCK
Kathleen Morgan Editor, Be Healthy
Step into spring
1
2
3
MAKE A SPLASH Take the Swim22 Pool Challenge in your local swimming baths on 22 February and help fight diabetes. www.diabetes.org.uk
NOCTURNAL TRAIL The Big London Night Walk on 3 March is a 12-mile hike past some of the capital’s great sites in support of the Big Issue. www.bigissue.org.uk
RACE FOR LIFE Join the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon on 12 March and enjoy the motor-racing circuit at your own pace. www. adidashalfmarathon.com
Get in touch
We’d love to know what you think about this issue. Email us at behealthy@ benenden.co.uk with your thoughts
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behealthy Published for the Benenden Healthcare Society by Think. This magazine is also available in Braille, large print and on audio CD.
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Editor Kathleen Morgan behealthy@benenden.co.uk Contributing Editors Matthew Rock, Siân Phillips, Fiona Jerome Group Art Director Matthew Ball Designers John Pender, Andrew Bell, Tracey Radnall Sub-editors Sam Bartlett, Sian Campbell, Kirsty Fortune Editorial Assistant Jonathan McIntosh Advertising Sales Sonal Mistry sonal.mistry@thinkpublishing.co.uk 020 3771 7247 Group Account Director John Innes john.innes@thinkpublishing.co.uk
HEALTH CHECK 04 FIGHTING STIGMA Tackling mental health at the top levels of sport 06 THE VEG REPORT Why the UK is failing the five-a-day test 08 MY EXPERIENCE Actor Jules Robertson on autism, Holby City and the benefits of feeling different
LIFE 20 LIVE WELL IN 2017 Take 12 easy steps to healthy living 24 LET’S TALK... Amputee Corinne Hutton explains how organ donorship is personal 32 SLEEP EASILY Ten secrets to getting a good kip 36 HEALTH HERO An entrepreneur and scientist fighting malaria 40 INSIDE STORY The nutritionist inspired by her New Zealand roots
Produced for Benenden by Think 8th Floor, Capital House, 25 Chapel Street, London NW1 5DH 020 3771 7200 thinkpublishing.co.uk
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SPRING 2017
At that moment you realise you’re not a miracle worker. You’re just human
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SIMON MURPHY
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COVER STORY PAGE 24 Why organs should be recyclable www.benenden.co.uk 3
health check ]News you can use i
Former footballer Clarke Carlisle says his depression was “boxed up and stored away”
Football Association leads effort to tackle mental health issues, writes Pennie Taylor They might seem like gods to fans, but recent research suggests elite sportspeople are vulnerable to mental health problems. While mental health charity Mind reports that one in four people in the UK experiences a mental health problem each year, a study by the World Players’ Union, FIFPro, indicates 38% of professional footballers suffer symptoms of depression/anxiety. The pressure to compete, risk of injury, and the ups and downs of winning and losing all contribute. In the past, the 4 Be Healthy Spring 2017
emotional toll was overlooked, but now sporting organisations are uniting to raise awareness of the need to seek help. The Football Association (FA) is developing an educational workshop to be used in England as a resource for coaches, referees, players and others involved in the game at all levels. It follows the release of a video profiling ex-players and staff who share their experiences of mental health crisis. Among those featured is Clarke Carlisle, a former footballer who won three England under-21 caps before a knee injury in 2001 took him out of the game for two years, triggering severe depression and a suicide attempt.
Clarke Carlisle on the pitch in 2013
“I didn’t get any support for that because there wasn’t any there,” he says. “It was boxed up and stored away as though it had never happened.” The FA is taking steps to ensure that never happens again. “Education is key to breaking down stigma,” says Funke Awoderu, inclusion and diversity manager for the FA. “Our video stresses the importance of opening up about mental health problems. We are committed to listening.” Help is available for professional footballers and it is crucial they know how to access it, she adds.
To see the FA video, visit bit.ly/FAmentalhealth
REX FEATURES
Sport fights stigma
FIGHTBACK BEGINS How sport is facing up to mental ill health
Charter
l The mental health charity Mind, in partnership with the Sport and Recreation Alliance and other sports bodies, has developed a Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation. For details, visit www. sportandrecreation.org.uk
Football
l The Professional Footballers’ Association provides a 24-hour mental health helpline backed up by 70 trained counsellors.
Hospital atrium takes shape Patient-centred development offers space to breathe With the Bensan Ward now open and treating patients, the focus is on the next phase of the development at Benenden Hospital, Kent. The large atrium that will welcome visitors and patients is being built, and plans are well established for its interior. Denise Telford, director of business development at Benenden Hospital, said: “We have one wall in the atrium that has always been called the heritage wall. On it will be five
large digital screens that will display images of artefacts from the hospital’s past as well as new pieces of art.” Hugh Turvey, artist-in-residence at Benenden Hospital, has been making plans for both. “We could also live stream an image from outside and the screens could work individually or together as a panoramic view,” he said. The heritage wall chimes with the build’s theme, ‘Remembering the past and securing the future’. As Benenden Hospital reaches its 110th anniversary this year, the development ensures the hospital changes with the times.
“I’m responsible for growth and I know that to compete with the private hospitals in our area we need to be at least as good or even better – and, with the development, we will be,” said Denise. “Everything in the new development is built with the patients in mind. You won’t have to walk far and staff have been involved in the design of their for here own areas so weCaption will be able to please serve patients in the rightxxxxxxx way. “The patients love the areas that have been finished, like the new Bensan Ward. It’s so fresh and new, and the space feels really open and clean.”
Cricket
l The Professional Cricketers’ Association has seven high-profile mental health Andrew ambassadors, Flintoff including Andrew Flintoff and Monty Panesar. Its Mind Matters campaign includes a video tutorial to identify players who need help. The atrium will be a welcoming space
Rugby
l The Rugby Football League’s State of Mind programme raises awareness of mental health issues. There are player welfare managers at each Super League club, and ambassadors include Adrian Morley, a Great Britain and England international player. A campaign, Lift the Weight, is to focus on mental Adrian wellbeing. Adrian Morley Morley
In numbers
73,000
The estimated number of deaths in the UK each year caused by coronary heart disease (CHD). Around 2.3 million people in the UK are living with CHD, which involves a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, blocking the heart’s blood supply. The main causes of CHD are smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. See www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease
www.benenden.co.uk 5
healthcheck
5 a day message misfires Public ignores UK government advice
The UK government’s 5 a day campaign to encourage the public to eat more fruit and vegetables is inadequate, according to a recent report. While more people now realise they should consume five portions of fruit and veg each day, this has made no lasting difference to their eating habits. Vegetable sales in the UK have dropped to the same level as they were in the early 1970s from a high during the 1980s, said the report by think tank the Food Foundation. The report, which looked at the latest data from national nutritional surveys, concluded the vast majority of people need to eat at least one extra portion of vegetables – or 80g – a day. Many people need to eat a great deal more to meet the guidelines, it added. Many children are eating hardly any vegetables – a quarter had not eaten any on the day of the survey – and more than a third of what they do eat is highly processed. As a result, 17% of the average child’s
vegetable intake comes from pizza toppings and baked beans. The study found that children consumed more vegetables by eating at school or nursery than at home. It added that when they were at home, children were more likely to have eaten vegetables if they ate their meals sitting at a table with their family. The Food Foundation has united with Nourish Scotland and WWF-UK to try to change the UK’s approach to diet. Together, as part of the Peas Please campaign, they are urging policy makers and the food industry to make it easier for us to eat more vegetables. Campaigners want the government’s efforts to be targeted specifically at encouraging vegetable consumption. This, they claim, would benefit the British horticulture industry, cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost the nation’s health. For further information, visit www.foodfoundation.org.uk/ peasplease
Most people in the UK need an extra portion of veg a day
Vegetables by numbers
POOR PROMOTION Between 2010 and 2015 only 1.2% of the UK advertising spend on food was used to promote vegetables. In 2015, £12m was spent advertising veg, compared with £87m on soft drinks.
HEALTH RISKS Poor diet is the biggest risk factor for death and disability in the UK, contributing to 20,000 premature deaths, according to the Global Burden of Disease project.
MEAT FREE A fifth of people aged 16 to 24 describe their diet as vegetarian or vegan, and 35% of Britons identify themselves as semi-vegetarian, according to Mintel.
Member benefits
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6 Be Healthy Spring 2017
Assessment. You will be offered time with a healthcare professional at a nearby clinic or hospital, followed by a personalised report on how to improve your health.
With five levels of assessment, you can find the best option for you. For more information visit www.benenden.co.uk/ newhealth
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Give me five
Health books
1 2
3 EASY DOES IT We get more of our veg from ready meals, packs of stirfry veg, squash and courgettes than ever, while sales of canned peas, frozen beans and fresh sprouts have declined.
GROWING CONCERN UK growers of veg and fruit benefit least from subsidies, even though their produce is nutritious, labour intensive and often low in carbon emissions. If we consumed as much
Fast fact Babies need to feel safe, secure and loved to allow brain connections to form properly, say researchers at the University of Cambridge
veg as dietary guidelines would like us to, UK farmers could produce an extra 1.5m metric tonnes of food to meet that need.
4
5
LEAN IN 15: The Sustain Plan Joe Wicks (Pan Macmillan, £8) Armed with 100 quick and easy recipes, Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, returns with new workouts and motivations to help you get fitter and leaner. THE ART OF BREATHING Dr Danny Penman (HarperCollins, £7.99) We breathe around 22,000 times a day, but are we aware how to use breathing to combat stress? Dr Danny Penman reveals how breathing can help you establish the foundations for living mindfully. SLEEP WISE: How to Feel Better, Work Smarter, and Build Resilience Daniel Blum (Penguin Random House, £16.50) Sufficient sleep is just as important as exercise and diet. Blum examines how maintaining regular sleep patterns can help you lead a complete and healthy lifestyle. THE ANXIETY BOOK: A True Story of Phobias, Flashbacks and Freak-outs, and How I Got My Inner Calm Back Elisa Black (Hachette, £14.99) Elisa Black weaves personal experience with science to examine the realities of living with anxiety. LIVE BETTER AND LONGER Michel Cymes (Quercus, £12.99) This bestseller provides essential tips for caring for your body. Using four basic principles, Cymes reveals the ultimate truth of how to live a healthier and longer life.
www.benenden.co.uk 7
healthcheck
‘IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO EMBRACE MY AUTISM’ Holby City actor Jules Robertson has brought a misunderstood condition into the nation’s living rooms, says Brian Donaldson
Jules Robertson has a nickname for the school he attended as a young boy. “I called it Guantanamo Bay. Mum had to drag me there every day, kicking and screaming. I felt out of sync, all day, every day, and was always in trouble for doing or saying the wrong thing. But I just didn’t understand. I felt like a Martian beamed down from another planet. And the locals were not welcoming.” At three years old, Robertson was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, one of the autismspectrum disorders. His life – and that of his parents, author Kathy Lette and human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson – would become far from simple. The young Jules threw himself into Buddy Holly, The Beatles and Shakespeare. “I knew most of Hamlet’s soliloquies by age eight,” he 8 Be Healthy Spring 2017
says. “This made me a freak in the eyes of the other kids.” Despite his tough beginnings, Robertson pursued a career in acting that has led him to a role in BBC medical drama Holby City. “It took me a long time to embrace my autism, but I’ve realised that it’s interesting to be different,” he says. “To be unique is a gift. At school my self-esteem was low, but now I realise I have strengths that neurotypical people don’t have.” For one thing, Robertson has an astonishing memory and can recall intricate details of sporting events, or the minutiae of people’s lives, from hearing about them just once. And he
clearly seems to be a handy asset to have around the house. “My mum doesn’t even have a diary,” he says. “She just asks me where I was on any given day and I can tell her where she was, who we met and what we were wearing. I’d love to be a sports commentator for tennis, as I have such insights on the players and know all the stats. If only someone would give me a chance.” For now, his big opportunity has arrived on the small screen. While he was part of Access All Areas, a theatre
I now realise I have strengths neurotypical people don’t have
company that recruits differently-abled actors, he auditioned for the part of autistic Jason Haynes, a role Holby City producers decided should go to someone who was on the spectrum. “The BBC has been bold, as it’s the first time it has hired an autistic actor to play an autistic character,” says Robertson. “I think in years to come we’ll look back at the time we hired neurotypical people to play autistic people with the same embarrassment as when looking at white people blacking up to play Othello.” Jules Robertson with his mother, Kathy Lette
ALASTAIR LEVY; REX FEATURES
My experience
AUTISM ON TELEVISION FIVE ATTEMPTS TO PORTRAY THE CONDITION IN DRAMA
JULIA Sesame Street The first autistic character in the show’s near halfcentury on air was introduced in 2015 as part of an awareness initiative, Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in Children. Visit http://autism.sesamestreet.org ROY CROPPER Coronation Street Actor David Neilson made his own decision to play Roy Cropper with characteristics often associated with autism: he can never lie, sees everything at face value and rehearses conversations before having them.
Food for thought
Everyday superfoods Peel back the figures behind these nutritious fruit and vegetables LENTILS Calories................ 102kcal Sugar........................... 0.8g Salt............................... 0.1g Protein ......................... 7.6g Fat ................................. 0.4g
AVOCADO Calories ................. 178kcal Sugar............................ 0.5g Salt............................... 0.1g Protein .......................... 1.7g Fat ............................... 17.6g
ORANGE Calories.................. 66kcal Sugar......................... 13.2g Salt............................... 0.1g Protein ......................... 1.7g Fat ................................. 0.2g
A great source of magnesium, lentils improve the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.
Crammed with nutrients including potassium, B-vitamins and folic acid, this is a rich source of good fat and aids digestion.
Packed with carotenoid compounds that convert to vitamin A, oranges can boost eye health. Be aware of high sugar levels in fruit.
SWEET POTATO Calories.................. 98kcal Sugar............................ 5.7g Salt.................................. 0g Protein ......................... 1.2g Fat ................................. 0.3g
BROCCOLI Calories.................. 40kcal Sugar............................ 1.9g Salt............................... 0.1g Protein ........................ 4.3g Fat ................................. 0.6g
BLUEBERRIES Calories.................. 68kcal Sugar............................ 10g Salt............................. 0.01g Protein ......................... 0.7g Fat ................................ 0.3g
One large sweet potato contains 70% of your recommended daily vitamin C intake – more than double that of white potatoes.
Long associated with the horrors of school dinners, this cruciferous vegetable can help lower blood pressure thanks to its high levels of glutamic acid.
Packed with more antioxidants than any other fresh fruit, blueberries can boost your immune system and prevent infections.
JOE HUGHES The A Word When Joe is able to learn rock song lyrics, but has trouble with communication, his parents finally take him for a check-up and he is diagnosed as autistic. Max Vento, six, plays Joe in the BBC1 drama.
ALAN DONALDSON
SHERLOCK HOLMES Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch says his Sherlock, from the BBC drama, is not autistic. The National Autistic Society, though, believes the character’s incredible memory and ability to solve crimes with tiny bits of information could mean something different. SAGA NOREN The Bridge It is never mentioned in the television series, but the detective’s awkward interpersonal skills with fellow officers and victims of crime are reminiscent of autistic characteristics.
Figures stated above were sourced from tesco.com. Statistics relate to the following servings: 90g avocado, 100g sweet potato, 100g lentils (cooked), 100g blueberries, 155g orange, 100g broccoli
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Prize draw
You could enjoy a 4-star stay
Win a theatre break in London Benenden has teamed up with SuperBreak to offer one reader the chance to win a theatre trip to London. The lucky winner will receive a two-night weekend stay for two at the 4-star Cavendish Hotel in Mayfair plus two top-price
west end tickets to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Beautiful opened on Broadway in January 2014 and has been nominated for seven Tony Awards, including best musical. The show has transferred to London and is now playing at the Aldwych Theatre
in the west end, featuring the musical’s original Broadway creative team. This smash hit tells the story of the singer, songwriter and musical great Carole King, all the way from her days as a schoolgirl to her dazzling rise to become a charttopping superstar.
Reader offer
Save 10% on SuperBreak mini-holidays With more than 30 years of travel experience, SuperBreak has a reputation for providing excellent quality and customer service. Whether it’s a London theatre, concert or event, a theme park and attraction getaway for the family, a Eurostar trip or a flight and hotel package, SuperBreak
10 Be Healthy Spring 2017
has the selection you want at a price you can afford. You can also add rail travel, sightseeing and much more to your booking. SuperBreak is a reliable brand trusted by travel agents and customers. It is ATOL and ABTA protected for peace of mind, with
no credit card or booking fees. HOW TO BOOK To book your next break and save 10% with SuperBreak, visit www.superbreak.com/go/AF280 or call 01904 436 002 and quote AF280. Lines are open daily, 8am-10pm.
HOW TO ENTER To enter simply visit the Benenden website at www. benenden.co.uk/superbreak CLOSING DATE Closing date 1 March 2017. Terms and conditions can be found at the web address above.
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At a glance
Race to the top Sandra Monger, 59, tells why she has run 13 half marathons When did you run your first half marathon and why? I ran the Great North Run (GNR) in 1998 for the RSPCA. I’d heard it was the world’s biggest mass-participation event. When I got a place, I thought, “Oh my goodness, what have I done?” I have run 13 GNR half marathons, the last three for Diabetes UK. Why Diabetes UK? I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about nine years ago. I had always been quite fit and healthy, so the news was a little shocking. In my case, it was genetic, but because diabetes has become an epidemic in this country anything that can encourage people to take action – such as healthier diets and exercise – will help. What drives you when you’re exhausted? What keeps me going is simple: it takes longer to walk and get back, so the best option is to run. Music helps – you can focus on it and nothing else. How do you train? I use a 12-week training programme. I run with my dogs over the fields, and also do some training on roads, as well as other activities such as swimming. Sandra Monger
Mind your figures as you limber up for the 37th London Marathon on 23 April
Starting line
Record breaker
Founded by Chris Brasher, the first London Marathon was on 29 March 1981, with more than 7,000 runners.
The 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon raised £59.4m for charity, setting a new record for a single-day event.
29
Run for it
Global reach
The millionth finisher in the London Marathon was Shannon Foudy, 39, from Hemel Hempstead on 24 April 2016.
The race is televised in more than 150 countries.
Banish blisters
Royal approval
In the 2016 London Marathon, there were 250 tubs of petroleum jelly and 2,000 plasters available on the route.
The distance was extended to 26.2 miles in 1908 to enable the royal family to watch the start and end of the race.
Suits you The slowest ever runner is Lloyd Scott, who in 2002 took over five days wearing a 130lb deepsea diver’s suit.
26.2
miles
Go long The most common and longest-standing value attributed to most marathons around the world is 26.2 miles.
Keepy-uppy
Fleet footed
In 2011, John Farnworth completed the marathon while kicking a ball up between his right and left foot with every step.
Paula Radcliffe ran the world’s fastest women’s marathon in two hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds.
Get your kit on for the London Marathon 2017
SHUTTERSTOCK
Stepping out in a marathon
The long run
healthcheck Nurse Stephanie Joiner with Victoria Rowan at St Richard’s Hospice
Taking care of the carers
Mark Jackson: our staff matter
Hospice backs employees with Benenden Healthcare
As leader of a hospice caring for 2,500 patients and their families each year, Mark Jackson knows how crucial it is to offer help when it is needed most. The chief executive of St Richard’s Hospice, Worcester, says: “At possibly the most difficult time in one’s life, hospice care provides coordinated and compassionate care to the patients living with life-threatening illnesses.” He knows the staff working at St Richard’s Hospice have an important job, and in order to do it, they also need to take care of themselves. That is why the charity has invested in Benenden Healthcare, designed
to help businesses look after employees’ health and reduce absenteeism. Benenden Healthcare offers prompt diagnosis, consultation and tests, as well as access to services including a 24-hour GP advice line and a psychological wellbeing helpline. “The ability to fast track consultant appointments was highly attractive to both staff and employer as a way to reduce
Our staff are important to us and we wish to care for them
long periods of sickness absence,” explains Jackson. “It also helps the hospice demonstrate tangibly that our staff are important to us.” Research by Benenden revealed one in five employees ranked employer-funded healthcare as their number one benefit, while 43% believe it is their employer’s responsibility to provide a healthcare offering. Stress is the most common cause of long-term absence and the second most common cause of short-term absence after minor illness, according to a recent report, Absence Management 2016. The study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and
Development revealed nearly three-fifths of organisations reported long working hours were the norm. “Addressing long-hours cultures and increasing focus on wellbeing are among the steps required by employers,” the report added. To find out how Benenden Healthcare can support your business and employees please call 0800 414 8179 or visit benenden.co.uk/for-business
SHUTTERSTOCK
Benenden Healthcare Diagnosis can be faster for employees
WHAT IS ON OFFER FOR EMPLOYEES? l Diagnosis, consultation and tests l Treatment and surgery l Physiotherapy
l 24-hour GP advice line l Psychological wellbeing 24/7 helpline l Financial assistance
l Health concern support l Independent care advice
www.benenden.co.uk 13
healthcheck What is...
IBD? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the collective term for the conditions Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which together affect more than 300,000 people in the UK. WHAT ARE THEY? l They are chronic conditions, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, and varying froam person to person. They can flare up and dampen down at various times during a person’s life. SYMPTOMS l Symptoms can include diarrhoea, cramping pains in the abdomen, fatigue, feeling generally unwell, anaemia and mouth ulcers. TREATMENT l Treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are. Drug treatment can be given to reduce inflammation in the gut and bring about remission. Surgery can be used where medical treatment is unsuccessful. IBD CELEBRITIES l High-achieving figures with IBD include Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave and Anastasia, the pop singer and former Strictly Come Dancing star. Visit www.crohnsandcolitis. org.uk
Olympian Steve Redgrave
Stay in touch
Updating your contact details takes seconds ARE YOU UP TO DATE? To access Benenden healthcare services and member benefits, you need to make sure the contact details we have for you are correct. WHAT TO DO NEXT It only takes a minute to check your details in these four easy steps: Visit www.benenden.co.uk/ memberwebsite.
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Register to the member website to check that all of your details are correct. All you need is a valid email address, your Benenden membership number and your date of birth. You can make changes to your contact details, including your preferences, by clicking ‘My Account’. Finally, remember to save your changes.
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A taste of goodness Try this zingy recipe packed with healthy ingredients for dinner or lunch on the go MALAY-STYLE STIR-FRIED RICE NOODLES I have been lucky enough to spend a good chunk of time in Malaysia, and the food in that country is off-the-chart amazing: a melting pot of Thai, Chinese, Indian, French and Portuguese influences. The result is flavoursome, spiced, rich, exciting food. This is a complete dish in itself, although you could have some garlicky greens alongside if you like. Serves: 2 2 bundles rice noodles 1 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 red chilli, finely chopped (seeds left in) 1 large red onion, peeled, halved and sliced 2 lemongrass stalks, bashed with a rolling pin 1 star anise handful curly kale, shredded 60g (2oz) shitake mushrooms, sliced sea salt For the sauce 1 ½ tbsp crunchy peanut butter
2 tsp light soy sauce 2 tsp honey 1. Put the rice noodles in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiled water. Allow to soften for 5–10 minutes, then drain and set aside. 2. Heat the oil in a wok or wide pan. Throw in the garlic, chilli, red onion, lemongrass and star anise, along with a pinch of salt, and stirfry until the onion has softened and the lemongrass and star anise are fragrant. Add the kale and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until the mushrooms and vegetables have softened. 3. Mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey and 2 tbsp water
DALE PINNOCK Also known as The Medicinal Chef, the author and TV cook collaborates with GPs and other health professionals to teach people that good diet is the foundation of wellbeing.
together to make a sauce. 4. Add the noodles to the vegetables and toss well, then add the sauce and toss again. Simmer for a couple of minutes and add a little salt if needed. How to Cook Healthily by Dale Pinnock is published by Quadrille at £20 www.benenden.co.uk 15
Enjoy an active life without hip or knee problems Members all-inclusive package price
£7,785*
Get on and enjoy life with a hip or knee replacement Your busy life is put on hold when you need a hip or knee replacement.
you back on your feet as quickly as possible, you’ll be supported by a rapid recovery programme.
Everyday activities you enjoy, such as walking, driving, weekends away, golf and sports, can quickly become a thing of the past.
You can also rest assured that we have rigorous infection control systems in place to keep you safe from hospital acquired Bacteraemia or Septicaemia MRSA or C-diff** – we’ve had no cases since 2002.
At Benenden Hospital you can see an experienced specialist consultant right away. Your operation is performed in a state-of-the-art theatre. Your stay is in a comfortable en-suite room. Your care is in the hands of highly trained and compassionate staff. And, to get
* Hip or knee replacement is not available as part of Benenden membership, members do however receive an exclusive discount off the full private patient price. This offer is only available for treatment undertaken at Benenden Hospital in Kent. See www.benendenhospital.org.uk for the latest information on discounts for Benenden members. **As specified by the Department of Health. The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 3454120. Registered charity number 1065995. Registered office, The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX
And, just yards away, Peek Lodge Hotel, offers comfortable accommodation for your visitors. All of which means that you’ll be back, doing what you enjoy with family and friends in no time at all.
Find out more today 01580 242 521 www.benendenhospital.org.uk
healthcheck Health myth
Stretching Does stretching before exercise improve performance and help prevent injury? WHY DO IT? l Stretching is often said to reduce risk of muscle injury. Many believe stretching each limb for 10 seconds or more helps you warm up and improves your performance. While this has not been proven, there is no evidence that stretching before or after exercise is harmful either. THE RESULT l Stretching does improve flexibility, but this depends on your activity. Flexibility is more essential for gymnasts than runners. Power in your performance comes from the muscles and tendons that store and release energy like a spring. If the muscles are too flexible, this may reduce their natural spring and affect, for instance, jumping or dodging skills. THE EVIDENCE l Research suggests stretching before exercise makes your muscles slower. Dr Anthony D Kay, associate professor in biomechanics at the University of Northampton, says: “Longer stretch durations are more likely to cause a small or moderate reduction in performance.”
To stretch or not?
Clockwise from top left: Dr Rosemary Leonard, Dr Chris Steele receives his award on This Morning, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, awards host Dr Phil Hammond and director Rowan Deacon
TV doctors top new awards The British Health Journalism Awards honour innovative work TV medics Dr Chris Steele MBE and Dr Michael Mosley have been honoured at the inaugural British Health Journalism Awards during a lively ceremony in London. The pair were among a stellar line-up celebrated at the event heralding the best in UK health writing, broadcasting and online journalism. Dr Steele, health expert for ITV daytime show This Morning, won the Outstanding Contribution to Health Journalism award, and BBC presenter Dr Michael Mosley was named People’s Health Champion. Other award winners included Daily Express advice
columnist Dr Rosemary Leonard, the Guardian health editor Sarah Boseley and filmmaker Rowan Deacon, for assisted dying documentary How to Die: Simon’s Choice Melanie Reid was named Columnist of the Year for Spinal Column, her poignant and often funny weekly account of her struggle with tetraplegia. Matt Haig won Health Book of
the Year for Reasons to Stay Alive, about his recovery from depression. Be Healthy columnist Dr Phil Hammond hosted the ceremony at the National Theatre in London. Judges included editor of Spectator Health Dr Max Pemberton and Dr Dawn Harper of Channel 4 show Embarrassing Bodies. Lawrence Christensen, group marketing director of award sponsor Benenden, said: “It is important to have a serious, forward-thinking, and grown-up discussion about the UK health system. That’s what the British Health Journalism Awards are all about.” Phil Hammond, Michael Mosley and Lawrence Christensen www.benenden.co.uk 17
healthcheck
We did it
Every year, Benenden gives back to the community by supporting health and wellbeing projects. Here are some of the ways your society reached out in 2016
SUMMER HOLIDAY PACKED LUNCHES Bolton Over last year’s summer 1 holidays, Benenden supported Bolton Lunches, a project to feed children from low-income families when they couldn’t receive their term-time free school meals.
COMMUNITY GARDEN Birmingham Newly arrived refugees at 2 Ashley Community Housing were supported to work together on a new gardening project to grow fruit and vegetables, to help increase their social circle and give them a sense of belonging to the community.
The Weald Tri Club at the World Triathlon Championships
SUPPORT FOR TRIATHLETES Benenden Hospital, Kent Based near the hospital, 6 the Weald Tri Club received sponsorship from Benenden to buy kits for
18 Be Healthy Spring 2017
members who qualified to represent Great Britain at the World Triathlon Championships in Mexico last September.
SUPPORTING PUPILS INTO SCIENCE
SCHOOL HEALTHY EATING WORKSHOPS
Benenden Hospital, Kent The hospital put on a day of 3 activities with a science, technology, engineering and maths focus for pupils from Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs, winners of the 2016 Bright Sparks competition, which encourages future inventors and innovators. An award sponsor, the hospital offered visits to an operating theatre and its sterile services department.
York
BALLET FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S
SPONSOR OF THE CITY’S PRIDE CELEBRATION
Trafford Improved co-ordination and 7 balance were the aim of Benenden-funded ballet lessons for people living with Parkinson’s in Trafford. Taught by a ballet instructor who has volunteered with the English National Ballet Parkinson’s dance classes, the dance is said to help enhance strength, flexibility, balance, optimism and motivation
York
Around 2,000 pupils from more than 20 primary schools in York participated in healthy-eating workshops organised by Benenden and the team from York City Football Club Foundation. Alongside activities and games encouraging children to swap high-sugar snacks and drinks for healthy alternatives was a drawing competition with a chance to win match tickets.
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For the fourth year running, Benenden was the main sponsor of York Pride, the annual celebration for York and North Yorkshire’s LGBTQ community. Benenden colleagues wore rainbow colours, decorated the offices in Holgate Park Drive in a rainbow theme, baked rainbow cakes and used rainbow props in a photo-booth competition.
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Benenden in numbers
How your society served its members during 2016
More than
43,042
people joined the Benenden community We have a membership of around
860,000 people
SPORTS AND WELLBEING EQUIPMENT Birmingham Six organisations in the 5 Birmingham area received donations of sports and wellbeing equipment from Benenden, including Lyndon Senior PHAB Club in Solihull, which helps disabled and nondisabled children and adults enjoy activities together. The club received money for a portable PA system and sports equipment. Kingsbury Training Centre received boxing
equipment for its 14 to 19-yearolds. The Seven Up project, which provides play, leisure and learning opportunities to disabled children and their siblings, was given a grant to buy pop-up tents, sensory equipment and lighting. Other recipients were the Perry Beeches Sutton Swim Squad, Gateway Family Services and children with dyspraxia in the Hall Green area.
We made
19,370
referrals to Benenden Hospital in Kent
Our diagnostic services were offered
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PROMOTING ANTI-BULLYING
Belfast Tenants of Hemsworth 9 Court, a supported housing scheme in Belfast for people living with dementia, enjoyed a performance of the drama Brighton, as well as a pre-theatre meal as part of a community initiative run by Benenden.
York Benenden in partnership with coaches from the York FC Foundation organised antibullying workshops at 19 primary schools in and around the city. Following this, 13 anti-bullying poster competition winners visited York City Football Club to watch the team play Barnet.
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88,905
45,967
times to our members, their family and friends
447,235
The 24/7 GP advice and psychological wellbeing helplines were used
times
THEATRE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
We offered services
member calls and emails were received by our member services team
16,678 times
Statistics are based on in-year figures to 28 November 2016. They include 5,312 Benenden Hospital referrals.
www.benenden.co.uk 19
The
Good health calendar TIRED OF MAKING AND BREAKING WELLBEING RESOLUTIONS?
Try a fresh approach to healthier living with this simple, month-by-month guide from Julie Penfold and GP Dr Toni Hazell
20 Be Healthy Spring 2017
WELLBEING
FEBRUARY
Show some love
It is all about matters of the heart this month as the focus shifts to love and romance, courtesy of St Valentine. How about giving the gift of love and kindness to someone special this year – you? Looking after your mental wellbeing is important. Just being a little kinder to yourself can have a positive impact, so make time at least once a week to do something you love. And get into the habit of listing ‘three good things’ you feel grateful for each day and life could seem a whole lot better.
APRIL
Hayfever season JANUARY
SHUTTERSTOCK; GETTY IMAGES; PHOTOSHELTER
Go booze free
Dry January is a great opportunity to get your new year health off to a flying start. By giving up alcohol for 31 days, Dry January participants reported experiencing weight loss, and improvements to their sleep, energy levels and skin health. They also reported having a healthier relationship with alcohol following their booze-free month, with many drinking less even six months later. “An alcohol-free month can help you to hit the reset button,” says Dr Toni Hazell, a practising GP in north London. Visit www.dryjanuary.org.uk
MARCH
Stub it out
National No Smoking Day on 9 March is an ideal time to quit. The benefits are rapid and long lasting. “Your breathing can ease within three days of stopping smoking and within a year you will have halved your risk of heart disease compared with someone who still smokes. Stop smoking for 15 years and your risk of a heart attack drops to the same as a person who has never smoked,” says Dr Hazell. Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/ smoking
Hayfever affects one in four people in the UK, with numbers rising annually. Grass pollen, the cause of 95% of hayfever cases, tends to begin in late April and goes on until late July. “The key to getting on top of hayfever is to treat early and regularly,” advises Dr Hazell. “Start your treatment a couple of weeks before you normally experience symptoms.” Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/ hay-fever
www.benenden.co.uk 21
WELLBEING
MAY
Get sun savvy Eight in 10 people fail to adequately apply sunscreen before going out into the sun, according to research carried out by the British Association of Dermatologists. “Sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer,” says Dr Hazell. She warns that it can be easy to underestimate the strength of the sun, especially on windy or cloudy days. When choosing a sunscreen, look for a high protection factor – SPF 30 or more – to protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/skin
JUNE
It’s good to give
Just 4% of us regularly give blood. Donated blood is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need longterm treatments. It’s National Blood Week and also World Blood Donor Day this month, so why not consider giving? “If you make one resolution this year, please make it to give blood,” says Dr Hazell. “Blood can’t be stored for long and the NHS needs 6,000 blood donations every day to meet demand.” Visit www.blood.co.uk
JULY
Book autumn travel jabs It’s vital you make an appointment with your GP several weeks before your holiday to ensure you are fit to travel. “Some immunisations need several shots, spaced out over weeks, so allow at least eight weeks before you travel,” advises Dr Hazell. “Remember to factor your travel jabs into your budget, too, as not all vaccinations and antimalarial treatments are provided by the NHS.” Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/travelimmunisation
AUGUST
Red meat is an excellent source of protein that provides many important vitamins and minerals. However, eating too much red meat – particularly processed meats such as bacon, sausage and ham – can increase your risk of bowel cancer. If you eat more than 90g of red or processed meat every day, it is recommended you cut back. Start by swapping barbecue favourites such as burgers and bangers for chicken, fish and vegetable alternatives. Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood
22 Be Healthy Spring 2017
GETTY IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
Health-proof your barbecue
SEPTEMBER
Set yourself a fitness goal The start of the new school year is a great time to make a health resolution and set an exciting fitness goal. If you’ve always wanted to skydive, run a marathon, cycle from Land’s End to John o’Groats, trek overseas or take the plunge in an open-water swim, stop putting it off and start making firm plans. If you need an extra push, why not consider a charity challenge? It will help to provide all the motivation you need to succeed. Visit www.charitychallenge.com
NOVEMBER
Take vitamin D Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight, as it is difficult to get the required levels from food alone. Public Health England has advised that during the winter, adults and children over the age of one should have a daily 10mcg supplement of vitamin D. “Vitamin D supplements are easy and cheap to buy over the counter,” says Dr Hazell. Visit www.gov.uk/government/ publications/sacn-vitamin-d-andhealth-report
OCTOBER
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Check your breasts It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and time to talk boobs – or whatever you prefer to call yours. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK: one in eight females will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer can also affect men, although it is rare – around 340 men are diagnosed each year. Checking your breasts can alert you to any changes. “It’s sensible to check your breasts once a month,” says Dr Hazell. “Lumpiness that comes and goes with your menstrual cycle is usually nothing to worry about, but asymmetrical changes – differences in size or shape – or a lump that doesn’t go away needs to be seen by your doctor.” Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/breastcancer-screening
DECEMBER
Keep calm
Christmas is the most stressful time of year for many of us and this stress can sometimes turn into anger resulting in petty disagreements with loved ones. Don’t let stress, the quest for the perfect Christmas or needless arguments ruin your festivities this year. “Try to deal with your stress in healthy
ways,” suggests Dr Hazell. “Go for walks, exercise, have a long bath or read a book – anything rather than exploding at the children or your mother-in-law.” Dr Hazell recommends an online resource such as Living Life to the Full (LLTTF). Visit www.llttf.com www.benenden.co.uk 23
LET’S TALK
ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES
Corinne Hutton uses a bionic hand for some tasks but hopes for a double hand transplant
24 Be Healthy Spring 2017
LET’S TALK
There are more organ transplants than ever in the UK. So why do 1,000 people die waiting each year?
T
Five people argue the case for the 1future of organ consented and tissue donation he image projected on to to organ donation unless they
the wall of Waterloo station in London literally stops evening commuters in their tracks. A striking woman in her mid-forties, naked apart from a layer of body paint, gazes defiantly at passers-by as they hurry home. Look closely and you see images of transplantable organs across her torso – kidneys, lungs, heart and pancreas. Look again and you can see that the woman sitting on the pedestal has no hands or feet. It is weeks since Corinne Hutton made headlines after her image was projected on to a series of London landmarks, including Waterloo station, the Royal Opera House and the National Portrait Gallery. The striking photographs, taken after hours of work with a medical illustrator, were intended to inspire the public to add their names to the NHS organ donor register. In the UK, potential donors must sign the register – and their families must also agree – for their organs and tissue to be donated after death. The exception is in Wales, where residents are deemed to have
The campaigner
Corinne Hu!on tells why she bared all to raise awareness of donorship. By Kathleen Morgan
positively opt out. At home in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, where she grew up, Hutton makes coffee, deftly using her wrists as she spoons in the granules and pours the milk. Sitting down at her kitchen table, she explains what motivated her to lend her copious energy to the organ donation campaign. “Only 35% of the population of the UK are on the organ donor register and that’s so much less than I thought it would be,” she says. The statistics are stark. According to NHS Blood and Transplant, 9,000 people in the UK need an organ donation, but only 3,000 people a year receive one, while another 1,000 die waiting. Hutton adds that 37% of families overrule the wishes of loved ones named on the organ donor register. “The only explanation I can give for it is that it’s the stress of losing a loved one and being asked that awful question,” she says. A busy single mother of an eightyear-old, Rory, and the founder of her own charity, Finding Your Feet, Hutton has obvious reasons for wanting more people to register as donors of organs
www.benenden.co.uk 25
LET’S TALK
26 Be Healthy Spring 2017
Corinne Hutton with casts of son Rory’s hands and feet, and (inset) before her amputations
I knew my hands were bad – they were black claws, wooden and solid
A mobile ECMO machine was flown to Glasgow so Hutton could begin treatment. The unit takes over the patient’s heart and lung functions, allowing the organs to recover. When Hutton began responding positively, she was moved to Leicester, where she began her recovery. Although her organs had been saved, her hands and feet had started to turn blue, and her family and friends had to massage them to help the circulation. “You start to believe you have beaten the odds, and that you must be strong and a miracle worker, and, yeah, I did defeat the odds,” says Hutton. “But at the end of six weeks, they felt I was well enough to move to a hospital where the focus would be my hands and my legs.” Hutton was transferred to a hospital in Glasgow. She says: “I didn’t know anyone and I was still really ill. The following morning the main consultant and his entourage were at the end of my bed discussing my case. He announced to everyone that I’d be losing my hands
ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES
and tissue. The former businesswoman has been waiting for a double hand transplant since 2014 following a devastating illness that ultimately resulted in the amputation of her hands and feet. Hutton hopes to become the UK’s second double hand transplant patient when a suitable donor is found. Chris King became the first when Professor Simon Kay led a team at Leeds General Infirmary during a complex 12-hour operation last July. King proved a better match for the donor hands than Hutton, who was informed of the operation before the media were told. She talks philosophically about overcoming her initial disappointment and speaks warmly of meeting King. “Every operation the team do is more experience,” says Hutton. She argues the more hand transplants are carried out, the more acceptable the idea will be to the public, increasing potential donors. Professor Kay performed the UK’s first hand transplant, on Mark Cahill, in 2012. Four years ago, it was Hutton’s own family who were being asked the ‘awful’ question of whether they might allow their loved one’s organs to be donated. They had been told she was unlikely to survive the night after being admitted to A&E with acute pneumonia. She was on the organ donor register and her family were supportive of her decision. Her illness had begun fairly innocuously a fortnight before and she had continued to run her small business designing graphics for vehicles. “It started with an average cough,” says Hutton. “I treated it exactly as most people would – I bought lozenges and cough mixture.” After a visit to the doctor, Hutton tried antibiotics, but her condition deteriorated rapidly and she was rushed to hospital, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She soon developed sepsis, or blood poisoning, and was put into an induced coma as her body failed and her doctors struggled to save her. “They didn’t know what to do,” she says. “All they knew was that my organs were shutting down and my body was giving up. They told my family to expect the worst. They asked about organ donation.” She describes how, as a last resort, her medical team contacted the ECMO (extra corporal membrane oxygenation) service, a specialist centre in Leicester with the technology that would save her life. “The ECMO programme gives your heart a rest and cools down the vital organs.”
ACTION WOMAN Clockwise from right: Hutton at Wimbledon; wall climbing after her recovery; on the school run soon after leaving hospital; and with Rory at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow
and my feet. That’s the first I’d heard [of it]. It was horrific. At that moment, you realise you’re not superhuman and you’re not a miracle worker – you’re just human.” Taking a deep breath, she describes how she gradually accepted the decision to
amputate, realising she would die otherwise. “I knew my hands were bad – they were black claws, they were wooden and solid. Not a bit of flesh on them. My feet kept changing. They were going from blue to black and back to blue. The doctors did agree they could save certain parts of them, but to walk on them again would be impossible... so we went for amputation at my shins.”
Hutton’s surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary saved as much bone, tissue and nerves around her wrists as possible, anticipating she would be a potential candidate for hand transplants. “All I could think was [my wrists] were really ugly and I hated them,” says Hutton. “My surgeon was excited about what he’d been able to do and I wanted to punch him. We joke about that now.” Three years later, Hutton manages admirably, using a bionic hand for any tasks she can’t manage with her wrists – and teeth. “My dentist is constantly giving me rows because I keep breaking my teeth trying to do things,” she says, smiling. She uses prosthetic legs that she attaches below her shins, enabling her to do everything from driving to cycling. As she considers the difference a transplant might make to her life with Rory, her large blue eyes well up. “I would be able to care for him better,” she says. “We’ve had a discussion – I can hold his hand with the bionic hand, or he can hold mine without anything, but we both agree it would be nice if I had a hand that could hold him. And if I could flick his hair, that would be nice. That doesn’t mean I allowed him to make the decision, but he’s the main motivation in most of my decisions... He’s a brilliant wee soul – he just seems to be able to cope with things.” After the frisson of publicity following her highly visible efforts to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation, Hutton is busy supporting her team at Finding Your Feet, which raises money for others affected by amputation. Meanwhile, she looks forward to the call that could change her own life. Visit www.findingyourfeet.net
MILESTONES
The history of hand transplants September 1998
June 2013
April 2016
July 2016
l The world’s first successful hand transplant is performed in France
l The Scottish businesswoman Corinne Hutton has her hands and legs below the knee amputated after contracting acute pneumonia and septicaemia. After her recovery, she is expected to become the UK’s first double hand transplant patient
l Hand transplants are offered for the first time to UK patients on the NHS
l Chris King, from South Yorkshire, has the UK’s first double hand transplant in
December 2012 l Mark Cahill, from West Yorkshire, is given the UK’s first hand transplant in an operation led by Professor Simon Kay. Cahill’s right hand had become infected with gout
Professor Simon Kay and Chris King
an operation led by Professor Simon Kay at Leeds General Infirmary. King had lost both hands, except the thumbs, in a work accident
September 2016 l Images of Corinne Hutton are projected on to London landmarks to raise awareness of organ and limb donation www.benenden.co.uk 27
LET’S TALK
2 The altruistic donor
‘I knew I was going to make a difference’ Carl Pinder is one of about 500 living altruistic organ donors in the UK. He tells Pennie Taylor why
28 Be Healthy Spring 2017
“I had no fear of the operation and my family was supportive,” he says. “For me, it was a case of win, win, win.” Following detailed health checks, Pinder opted to take part in a ‘chain’ of donation: his kidney would go to someone whose relatives were unable to donate to them because of tissue incompatibility, but who were willing to donate to someone else, and so on. At the end of the chain, three people received the healthy organs they so badly needed. Pinder has since heard from the recipient of his kidney, who wrote to tell him how grateful she is for his selfless act. “We are talking about meeting up on the first anniversary of the transplant,” he says. “It’s good to know I have changed somebody’s life.” For more information about altruistic kidney donation, visit www.giveakidney.org
ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION WHAT IS DONATION? Organ donation is where a person, living or dead, donates their organs and tissue for transplant. A transplant can be live saving, or improve a person’s
health and quality of life. Living donations can include: a kidney, part of the liver, and tissue including bone or amniotic membrane. Donations after death can include:
ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES
O
xford postal worker Carl Pinder is a real life-changer. In February 2016, he underwent a keyhole operation to remove one of his kidneys, which was transplanted into someone he had never met. By becoming a living non-directed organ donor, the 59-year-old part-time sports coach made the ultimate gift. “When I got the call to say that my kidney had been matched to someone whose own had failed, it felt quite emotional,” he says. “I knew that what I was doing was going to make a real difference.” Pinder tells of how one of his friends suffered acute kidney failure 12 years ago and he saw the benefit a transplant brought her. So when it became possible to be a living donor, he decided to go for it.
3 The specialist nurse
‘It’s been my toughest, most rewarding job’
T
he ability to build trusting relationships – and fast – is a critical aspect of Tracey Carrott’s job. As a specialist nurse working in organ and tissue donation, it is Carrott who stands alongside grieving relatives as they come to terms with the death of loved ones and consider donation. Based in the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, she is one of a team of 13 specialist nurses in organ and tissue donation who cover the northern region of England. “It’s by far the toughest job I have ever had, but also the most rewarding. In death, people can help others. I am there to facilitate that,” she says. “I introduce myself to relatives as early as need be and offer to do whatever I can to help them, from finding a temporary home for the family dog to changing a dental appointment.” Carrott’s office is near the hospital’s 18-bed intensive care unit (ICU), where the most critically ill people are treated. Her day starts at around 8am, with a visit to the ICU to catch up with the consultant and nurse in charge. They brief her on the status of patients and let her know if they think there is anyone who might be approaching death.
RICHARD CAVE
kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, small bowel, corneas and tissue. Heart valves, skin, bone, tendons and eyes are all possible tissue donations. HOW TO BECOME A DONOR In England, Scotland and
Northern Ireland your organs and tissue will only be used if you have given consent. To do this, you should: tell a relative or close friend of your wishes or join the NHS organ donor register at www. organdonation.nhs. uk/register-todonate
BECOMING A DONOR IN WALES Since December 2015, people in Wales are presumed to have no objection to donating their organs and tissue after death unless they have opted out by registering this on the NHS organ donor
register. You can also appoint a representative to make the decision for you after your death. If you do nothing or remove your name from the register, it will be assumed you have no objection to donating. This is called deemed or presumed consent.
Tracey Carrott needs sensitivity in her role “When the family are accepting the inevitability of death, that is when I will mention end-of-life care wishes,” says Carrott. “Donation is raised only when it is clear nothing else can be done for their loved one, and the relatives are ready to talk.” Even if a patient has signed the organ donor register, relatives still have to agree. “People may have never considered the issue of donation before this point,” says Carrott. “It takes real sensitivity to help them think about the options. Some just can’t deal with it, while others are pleased that they can do something to help.” Most transplant retrievals happen in operating theatres overnight. “A specialist nurse will always accompany the patient’s body,” says Carrott. “We are there to be advocates for the individual and for their family. When it is over, we will perform last offices and prepare the body for burial.” After the operation, and if it has been requested, Carrott will telephone the family to let them know which organs and tissue have been retrieved. Two weeks later, a letter will be sent updating families on recipients’ progress. “To my knowledge, there are no families I have been involved with who have regretted the donation,” says Carrott. “In fact, people tell me it helps their grieving. They take comfort that something good can come out of something so bad.”
The issue of donation is raised only when it’s clear nothing else can be done www.benenden.co.uk 29
LET’S TALK
4 The big debate
Presumed consent
Should the state be allowed to presume you would donate your organs and tissue a"er you die? Pennie Taylor asks a married couple with opposite views
Rachel Johnson
Ivo Dawnay
Journalist and novelist
Liver recipient and communications director
I quite like the idea of There’s so much presumed consent, as squeamishness and it gets round deathbed horror associated with refusals. There are lots the whole issue. If we of organs that could be had more open public used for the benefit of discussion, perhaps others but they are not greater numbers of retrieved because people would be families can block willing to agree to donors’ wishes even if organ donation if they there is a donor card. found themselves in With an opt-out that dreadful position. system they If I were ever wouldn’t have to asked to give my YES permission for have the conversation. the donation of It’s complicated, organs from a loved obviously, but there is one of mine who had a growing list of people no hope of survival, I waiting on donor think I would agree. organs so something People who have has to be done. done that say they have taken immense comfort from the knowledge that out of a tragic death others have been helped to live.
I am against presumed That has to be ended. consent because we Families who have can’t allow the state to suffered a tragedy own our bodies. There should not be asked at are other ways to the most inappropriate increase organ supply. time to give their I like the idea that permission for organ everyone over 18 who donation. It is a very, has a doctor’s very tough ask. appointment should be That would be asked whether they resolved if there was a would be willing to desire to donate on the become an organ medical record. donor. Then People could NO they could ask change their any questions, minds at any and if they then stage, which would agreed to become a also be recorded. That donor that information would exempt families would be kept on their from having to make medical files. That way the decision. Such an the authorities could approach would give easily check the people autonomy and consent position. ease the burden on The problem at the vulnerable relatives. For moment is that families me, the notion of are allowed to overrule presumed consent is a person’s wishes. just too presumptuous.
There’s so much squeamishness associated with the issue 30 Be Healthy Spring 2017
ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES
I
t is more than a year since Wales became the first part of the UK to introduce an opt-out system for organ and tissue donation. People living in Wales are now considered to have consented to donation unless they have registered an explicit desire not to donate. The system, otherwise known as deemed or presumed consent, was introduced on 1 December 2015. In its first six months, it resulted in a 38% reduction in the number of people in Wales waiting for a transplant. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland continue to practise opt-in, meaning that people register their agreement to organ and tissue donation in the event of their death. While family do not have the legal right to veto or overrule the decision, if relatives do not give agreement donation does not usually go ahead. There are emotive arguments both for and against presumed consent. Here, Ivo Dawnay, 63, who underwent a liver transplant in 1995, explains his objections to opt-out, while his wife, Rachel Johnson, a novelist and the sister of foreign secretary Boris Johnson, argues in support.
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SLEEP
10 reasons to get a
GOOD SLEEP Wake up to the importance of quality shut-eye in a 24/7 world, says Dr Stuart Farrimond ILLUSTRATION ROBBIE PORTER
Reduced pain
2
It’s a bitter irony that noisy hospital wards make it hard for patients to sleep. How much we feel pain is directly related to how much deep sleep we get each night. “If someone gets less deep sleep their pain tolerance levels decrease the next day,” says sleep
Calmer kids
3
1
Clearer thinking
Thinking becomes muddy and decision making more difficult without ample rest. Studies show deep sleep is essential for learning and even small disruptions to sleep can stop us remembering new things. Take a lesson from the world’s smartest. Albert Einstein slumbered 10 hours a night, the Dalai Lama gets eight to nine hours of shut-eye, and Beethoven was always tucked up in bed before 10pm. Lack of sleep has been shown to cause bad decisions when under pressure. Passport control officers are more likely to let illegal immigrants through if they have had less than six and a half hours’ sleep. Mistakes are sometimes catastrophic. The 1986 Challenger shuttle explosion and the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster have both been attributed to sleep deprivation in workers. 32 Be Healthy Spring 2017
We can bemoan teenagers’ love of lying in bed until noon, but they need this extra sleep. Six-year-olds should get up to 13 hours per night, and teenagers need up to 10 hours. Sleep-deprived youngsters are more volatile and less able to concentrate, which could explain the surge in rates of attention-deficit hyperactivity
researcher Dr Neil Stanley. Painkillers lose their effect if we don’t get enough REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia, are made worse by poor sleep, and some research shows bad sleep could be the main cause of these debilitating conditions.
disorder (ADHD). “It may be they are just sleepy,” says Dr Stanley. “The behavioural manifestations of sleep deprivation in children are identical to that of ADHD.” Technology doesn’t help either. Of today’s teenagers, 26% say they are frequently woken up during the night by mobile phone activity such as texts and phone calls.
Happier life
6
If you want to feel good about yourself there is little to beat hitting the sack. Sleep has powerful effects on mood and, according to research published in Science, poor sleep is a major contributor for being grumpy at work. Getting 40 winks improves our outlook on life, helps to alleviate depression and makes the challenges we face feel each day more manageable. Remarkably, the ongoing lift from one extra hour’s sleep a night has been shown to feel better than a £50,000 pay rise. So forget chasing the next promotion or shiny new car: the secret to happiness could lie beneath a warm, cosy duvet.
Relationships
4
It is said you should never go to bed on an argument. It might be better to say that going to bed is the best way to avoid an argument. Dr Stanley, who has dedicated his 34-year career to studying what goes on when the lights go out, says that for each hour of sleep we lose “our emotions become more brittle and less easy to control”. We become increasingly selfish and lack empathy. Most worryingly, a lack of sleep over prolonged periods is linked to increased rates of divorce and break-up.
5
7
Weight
Fewer accidents
Sleepy drivers kill more people than drunk drivers do. During shut-eye, the brain cells ‘take out the trash’, flushing out the toxins that accumulate in the brain. If you have slept poorly, danger recognition systems are sluggish and your reaction times could be the same as being over the legal drink-drive limit. While driving or doing monotonous tasks, you can slip into momentary ‘micro-sleep’, where you lose consciousness, but you believe you are fully alert. Dr Richard Shane, an American behaviour sleep specialist, recounts the words of one police officer he treated: “I now feel safer in my work since I have been able to sleep well.”
WAKE UP!
Newsagent and library shelves are crammed with magazines and books dedicated to helping us lose weight. Most doctors blame fast-food joints and cheap, sweet snacks for our ever-expanding waistlines, but Dr Stanley thinks poor sleep habits could be the main cause. “Insufficient sleep increases cravings for food and sugar by 33%, appetite is increased by 24% and the [hungerreducing] sleep hormone leptin is suppressed, causing us to eat more,” he says. He insists that it isn’t the availability of sweet snacks that makes us pile on the pounds: “The sugar tax will make little difference to obesity levels: the reason we are eating more sugary foods is because we are sleeping less.”
www.benenden.co.uk 33
SLEEP
Tips for a good sleep
8
Live longer and prosper
“Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together,” wrote playwright Thomas Dekker in 1609. Modern science has proved him right. People who sleep well live longer and are less likely to develop serious health issues, such as diabetes. Dr Stanley explains that the ‘triangle of wellbeing’ consists of sleep, nutrition and exercise. “Good sleep leads to good nutrition, and likewise good nutrition helps with good sleep,” he says. “It is the same with exercise: exercise aids sleep, just as good sleep aids exercise. The three factors interplay with one another”. In fact, he thinks that one reason women live longer is that they get more restorative ‘slow-wave sleep’ (deep sleep) than men. “This difference explains why men’s memory decreases faster with age than women’s and why men die younger,” says Dr Stanley.
RELAX
The body is designed to sleep. Rather than trying to ‘chase’ sleep, practise doing nothing and simply ‘letting go’
Earnings
9
Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher once famously claimed she thrived on just four hours of sleep per night, while US president Donald Trump says just three to four hours’ slumber a night is enough for him. Outspoken light sleepers are an oddity because research shows conclusively that the more we sleep, the more successful we are. Economist Jeffrey Shrader, from the University of California, San Diego, recently wrote a landmark research paper that conclusively showed how increasing sleep by just one extra hour each week boosts the amount we earn by an average 5%. “Sleep is one of the most important uses of our time,” he says. “There is no magic number of hours – more sleep is better”.
AVOID STRESS
Set a regular bedtime and give yourself time to wind down. Turn off mobile phones two hours before sleep and avoid work or stressful activities CUT STIMULANTS
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, heavy meals and alcohol before going to bed SWITCH OFF
Turn off the television and avoid digital screens as you wind down DON’T WORK
Avoid doing work in the bedroom, which should be quiet and relaxing KEEP FIT
Exercise every day – try 30 minutes of walking or cycling – and ideally not within four hours of bedtime CLOCKWORK
Set a regular time to wake up every day, to encourage a normal sleep-wake cycle
Athletic performance
10
At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Team GB’s athletes’ achievements exceeded everyone’s expectations. We all admire the many hours of gruelling training that helped these medal winners achieve their goals, but any sportsperson who wants to be at their best also needs to sleep like a champion. “A single night of curtailed sleep does appear to have a profound effect on cognitive function and psychological
34 Be Healthy Spring 2017
COSY
Keep your hands and feet warm. Use thick socks or a hot water bottle if necessary state,” says Luke Gupta, a researcher at Loughborough University who specialises in the effects of sleep on elite athletes. Dr Stanley agrees, saying: “Professional basketball players can improve their throwing accuracy with better sleep, and their sprinting speed can increase by up to 10%.”
BED FIT
Make sure you have a good mattress and pillow: you’re going to spend a third of your life on them GOOD SOAK
Take a hot bath two hours before bed, as the increase in body temperature primes you for sleep
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+
HEALTH
HERO
‘There’s no eureka moment in science’
Around 3.2 billion people are at risk of malaria. George Frodsham believes there is a simple solution
W
WORDS BRIAN DONALDSON
hen George Frodsham realised science was his calling, it wasn’t exactly akin to Archimedes leaping out of the bath. “The funny thing about science is that there’s no eureka moment: it’s more ‘huh, that’s interesting’. I guess even as a kid I was attracted to science and maths; those were the things I was always looking at.” Many people worldwide, arguably running into the millions, could soon be relieved he continued on that path. At the age of 30, Frodsham and his research
team at MediSieve, the company he founded in 2015, are tantalisingly close to beginning clinical testing of an innovative method in treating malaria. Simply put, a magnetic filter device removes red blood cells infected with malaria before returning the healthy blood to the body. In 2015, there were roughly 214 million new malaria cases and an estimated 438,000 malaria deaths, according to the World Health Organization. If you want another sobering statistic, how about this: one child every minute dies from malaria. Facts such as
MALARIA
TIMELINE OF A KILLER DISEASE
2700 BC
The symptoms of malaria are first described in medical writings edited by Chinese emperor Huang Ti
36 Be Healthy Spring 2017
340
Chinese physician Ge Hong describes the antifever properties of the qinghao plant (sweet wormwood)
1600s
Spanish missionaries in the ‘new world’ learn of a medicinal bark that treats fevers. It is now known as quinine
1880
While stationed in Algeria, French army surgeon Alphonse Laveran notices malaria parasites in the blood of a patient
Left: George Frodsham has created a magnetic ‘sieve’ system to remove malaria-infected blood cells without drugs Above: an adult female mosquito bites a human for a blood meal these have helped drive on Frodsham with the work he began during his PhD in biochemical engineering at University College London. “Those numbers really drum it home,” he says. “Malaria is probably the biggest killer of humans of all time. We’ve been evolving aside the malaria parasite forever, really. It’s an extremely complicated disease and it’s a clever parasite. As such, it is very difficult to treat and it’s going to be very difficult to eradicate. “I guess you need a certain level of determination to do what I’m doing. There are difficult moments and there are also wonderful moments. I don’t have a poster of African children up in my room that I look at and go, ‘I’m going to save you’, but always in the back of the mind is that idea of having an impact, of helping people and of saving lives.” The crisis has alerted many organisations, including charities, grant holders, businesses and governments, with support from the likes of the Wellcome Trust and Innovate UK clearly helping Frodsham and MediSieve make some headway with their research.
1897
In India, British officer Ronald Ross demonstrates that mosquitoes carry the parasite and can transmit it to humans and birds
1939
Swiss chemist Paul Müller finds DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is an effective anti-mosquito insecticide
1976
The malaria parasite is first grown in culture in a laboratory by Dr William Trager to open the way for vaccine research
2002
The Global Fund is established in order to fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria
2008
25 April is designated by the World Health Organization as World Malaria Day, tagging it as ‘a disease without borders’ www.benenden.co.uk 37
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HEALTH HERO
During his presentation in March 2016 at Pitch@Palace – a twice-yearly event where British entrepreneurs have three minutes to promote their innovations before an audience of CEOs, investors and royalty – Frodsham half-jokingly put out a plea to anyone in the room who might be able to pass Bill Gates’s mobile number on to him. The Gates Foundation is among those aiming to destroy malaria. “I got close, actually, as I was able to have conversations with people who are relatively senior at the Gates Foundation on the back of that presentation,” he recalls. “They have strategies that are aligned to what we are doing in the sense that they are focused on prevention strategies rather than treatment of severe cases. So they fund vaccines and the development of drugs that can be given to a whole community to eliminate the reservoir. It would be great to have a formal relationship there so I’m not giving up on him.” Frodsham – who now calls himself a ‘commercially minded entrepreneur’ ahead of being an engineer and physicist – says the magnetic filter will be ready for human trials in the first half of this
This long-lasting mosquito net has insecticide incorporated
It’s about making sure the device is safe; that you’re not going to hurt people before proving you can help them year, with malaria trials starting at the end of 2017. ‘Nailbiting’ is the frankly unsurprising word he adopts to describe the prospect of taking his research out of the lab and into the real world. “The very first person you go to is not a malaria patient, it’s a healthy volunteer, and it’s about making sure that the device is absolutely safe and won’t cause any side effects or problems,” he says. “You have to make sure you’re not going to hurt people before proving you can help them. After that, you try it on malaria patients for the first time, but you can’t just dive in and start treating a five-yearold who has severe malaria. Again, it’s a step-by-step process: starting with adults who are not so severe, and if the results are good and you’re proving it’s safe and that it works, you gradually move towards younger patients and those with more severe diseases.” All of this potentially life-changing
work surely must have an impact on Frodsham himself: the responsibility and pressure would take its toll on the broadest of shoulders. But he has found various ways of getting away from it all. “It’s important for anyone who does what I do to remember to switch off and not work occasionally because otherwise you can lose who you are in life,” he says. “I enjoy being outside and I’ve really got into gardening recently: it’s very therapeutic. I’m a destructive gardener, and love ripping things up and cutting things down. I spent part of my childhood in the French Alps so I go back out there as much as I can, and I’ll also go walking and cycling. If I’m indoors, I’m not sitting around watching documentaries, I’lI put on Game of Thrones and House of Cards and a bit of Peep Show. I’ll play the odd video game and get down to the pub: normal stuff. I’m an ordinary guy.” He may be an ordinary guy, but 2017
could be an extraordinary year for Frodsham. He has just turned 30 and might be celebrating that landmark as his magnetic sieve filter begins the process of helping treat malaria across the world. Surely this will go down as his proudest moment. “I’ve never thought about that aspect of it to be honest,” he says. “Bringing in some major investment always feels good, and getting the Enterprise Fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh was very nice. But I’m not sure I’d use the word ‘pride’. I was just… pleased. Still, come back and ask me that question again in five years.”
YOUR HEALTH HERO
Tell us about the inspiring people making a difference in the world of health. + HEALTH l Send your nominations to HERO behealthy@benenden.co.uk
www.benenden.co.uk 39
INSIDE STORY
‘We were brought up on brown rice. I used to get teased at school for it’ Benenden Hospital nutritionist Katie Peck tells why her childhood on a New Zealand holding inspires her work WORDS SIÂN PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH PAUL STUART
T
here are no biscuits on the desk of nutritionist Katie Peck – just a handful of Brazil nuts and an apple. Looking out across the rolling countryside from her office in Benenden Hospital, she says her love of healthy foods and positive attitude towards diet go back to when she was growing up on a 10-acre holding in New Zealand. “The soil was low in selenium, so the animals had to have supplements,” she says. “I can remember how they would be unwell, and then we would give them selenium and they would perk up, their coats would be glossy, and I was like, ‘Wow, if it can do that to animals, what can it do for humans?’” There were further personal reasons for her interest in healthy eating. Her grandmother died of cancer “so my mum got interested in nutrition, and we were brought up on brown rice – I used to get teased at school for eating all that healthy stuff”. A gap year shadowing a dietitian at King’s College Hospital in London solidified her career plan and she returned to New Zealand to qualify. “I’m a passionate, dynamic dietitian and a nutritionist,” she says. “I have a
40 Be Healthy Spring 2017
Bachelor of Science in nutrition, and I’m also a registered dietitian.” Katie, 40, who previously worked in the NHS, has since 2007 run her own private practice, Peck Nutrition, in Kings Hill, Kent, as well as in Harley Street. She helps people with gastrointestinal problems and those who want to change their diet for health reasons. She has brought her infectiously friendly and positive manner to Benenden Hospital, where she is a member of the team running the recently launched weight-loss surgery service. “Diets will help people to lose weight temporarily, but the problem is weight-loss maintenance,” says Katie. “You’re not really successful unless you can maintain the weight you’ve lost.” That is where the Benenden Hospital service, run in partnership with Weight Loss
It’s about relearning the relationship with food, as o!en people have had quite a challenged relationship with food
Surgery Kent, comes in. “The people we see have tried to lose weight but failed to keep it off,” she says. “If their fat levels are becoming dangerous, it’s about weighing up the pros and cons. The risk of the effects of surgery would be minimal, compared with what could happen if they didn’t do anything.” Benenden Hospital offers two types of procedures for people with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30. Gastric band surgery is a reversible reduction of the stomach, while sleeve gastrectomy, a non-reversible procedure, involves reducing the stomach to around 15% of its original size. When a patient has discussed their treatment with Ahmed Hamouda, the consultant bariatric surgeon, they will also receive support from the weight-loss team, which includes anaesthetists, surgical care practitioners and nurses, as well as psychologists and a specialist dietitian – like Katie – who will support the patient to prepare for, during and after surgery. Katie will initially put patients on a liver-reducing diet for at least two weeks prior to their operation. “The surgery is laparoscopic – keyhole – and the liver has to be retracted out of the way,” she says. “When the size of the liver is reduced, it means the
MY THREE FAVOURITE SNACKS
1
RAW VEGETABLES My favourite raw vegetable snacks are cherry tomatoes and organic carrots. These are also great for topping up my five-a-day.
2
CHOCOLATE BANANA MILKSHAKE I have this an hour before rowing training on the indoor rowing machine. Blend 1/2 pint of milk with ripe banana and 1tsp cacao powder and vanilla.
3
ALMOND BUTTER A teaspoon of smooth almond nutbutter is great to prevent pre-dinner snacking and over-eating at dinner, plus it tops up fibre, protein, minerals and healthy fats.
surgery can go ahead quickly and efficiently, and doesn’t have to be cancelled. I have created a nutritionally balanced diet which is low calorie, and it’s reduced in fat and sugar. The nutritionist also helps with healing after surgery. “Patients have to follow a liquid diet for a couple of weeks,” she says. “They transition over six weeks from a liquid diet to a full diet – it’s liquid, pureed, soft and then normal consistency – and that’s to allow for healing to take place after the surgery. ” Changing what patients eat isn’t enough, explains Katie. “It’s really about relearning the relationship with food, as often they have had quite a challenged relationship with food.” Helping people improve their quality of life is what Katie likes most about her work. “I help people overcome health issues with the right education, but also changing habits and making it work with their lifestyle.” When she’s not advising people on their diet, Katie pursues her newfound passion – rowing. She says she had never enjoyed competitive sports so this has been a lesson in how your life can take a new direction. “I learned to row a year ago. Now I train in the gym regularly and I’m on the water twice a week. At 7.30am on the weekend I’m on the Medway and I completely love it.” www.benenden.co.uk 41
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FOR INNER HEALTH & OUTER BEAUTY
YourBenenden i ] Get more from your membership
How to be a part of something special With preparations for the 2017 branch meetings in full swing, every member will receive a personal invitation to attend them over the coming months. This year, some members will receive theirs within this edition of Be Healthy. Others will receive them by post or email. It couldn’t be easier to book your place: just complete the RSVP in the invitation, or register online at https:// members.benenden.co.uk Branches have been looking at how they can improve their meetings. Some have chosen new venues, while others are holding meetings in new locations. The Romford and Ilford Branch is holding meetings in public buildings such as local libraries; the London City and East Branch has a new venue, the Holiday Inn, Stratford City; and the DHWP branch will be venturing outside its London base and holding meetings in Liverpool and Bristol.
Branches are supported by a committee of volunteers who work to give you the opportunity to shape the future of Benenden. By attending these meetings, you can find out what is new in Benenden, and meet your committee and fellow members over light refreshments. Many meetings include guest speakers. As society secretary, I have been invited to speak at numerous meetings in 2017. I am looking forward to hearing the views of members and sharing how Benenden provides excellent healthcare services. Log in to the Benenden website at https://members. benenden.co.uk to book your place at meetings, nominate yourself for a branch or national position, and view documents such as minutes. On behalf of your branch, we look forward to meeting you.
René Fraioli Society secretary
Membership
Contributions increase Continued commitment to excellent healthcare services Benenden is to increase its members’ monthly contribution rate by 39p from 1 April 2017, helping it provide excellent discretionary healthcare services. Peter Robinson, Member Services Director at Benenden, said: “Our priority is to continue providing excellent discretionary healthcare services to our members.
However, we need to take into account extra demand on our services and rising healthcare costs. That’s why at our annual conference delegates agreed, on behalf of our members, to increase monthly payments from £8.71 to £9.10 per person.” Thanks to members’ contributions, Benenden’s community of around 860,000 can benefit from discretionary
Benenden members make a difference
services including diagnostics, surgery, physiotherapy, 24/7 GP advice and a psychological wellbeing helpline. In 2016, every cataract operation required monthly contributions from 225 members, while 413 monthly payments were required for every gall bladder removal.
Your membership has an impact Every hernia repair in 2016 was made possible using 200 members’ monthly contributions Each colonoscopy in 2016 was paid for by 184 monthly contributions
www.benenden.co.uk 43
Our special thank you to you as a reader of BE
HEALTHY
15-Days 4-star-trip
Casablanca
Morocco
INCLUDING
For you as a reader of BE HEALTHY from only Days 1 – 7:
Days 8 – 15:
ular cultura One of the UK’s most pop Heritage sites ! – with 5 UNESCO World
in the world-famous city
rocco 4-star cultural tour of Mo l tours
Relax in a first-class 4-star hotel
ÂŁ
of Marrakesh !
The most popular travel destination in the world! 3
–
(UNESCO)
instead of ÂŁ1,149 Portugal
(Price when booking the following separately)1
Days 1 – 7: 4-star cultural tour t 1BOPSBNB ESJWF "UMBT .PVOUBJOT lively provincial town Beni Mellal with Jardin de Ain Asserdoun city gardens
Atlantic oce an
Rabat
Casablanca
Return flights to Marrakesh with a reputable airline, including security fees and hotel transfers
Volubilis Fez
Meknes
Morocco Beni Mellal Essaouira Marrakesh
t 3PZBM DJUZ PG 'F[ one of the largest old quarters in the world (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site), Royal Palace of Fez, Karaouyne – the oldest university in the world, traditional carpet-weaving, impressive Borj fortress
INCLUDING
Rabat
Marrakesh
(UNESCO)
(UNESCO)
t 3VJOT PG 7PMVCJMJT (admission included): the largest Roman excavation site in the country (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site) t 3PZBM DJUZ PG .FLOFT splendid old quarter (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site), world-famous Bab El Mansour city gate, Sultan Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
+ 8 Days in a first-class 4-star hotel in the world-famous city of Marrakesh
Sample hotel
Spend the following week relaxing in the popular and trendy city of Marrakesh - in a first-class 4-star hotel with heated pool and fully-equipped gym.
Total price per person Your saving per person
£1,1491 – £9001
Your special rate per person from only ÂŁ249*
Your SAVING per person
ÂŁ900
1
As a customer of BE HEALTHY, you benefit from extremely attractive special rates for optional extras: Cultural trip gourmet package: The package includes a sumptuous buffet each evening featuring international specialties during the 7-day cultural trip: only ÂŁ115 per person instead of ÂŁ1401. Single room surcharge: ÂŁ199 per person (subject to availability)
February 2017
March 2017
March 2017
April 2017
October 2017
November 2017
November 2017
ÂŁ70 from now ÂŁ0 p. p.
ÂŁ100
ÂŁ130
ÂŁ160
ÂŁ190
ÂŁ130
ÂŁ70
ÂŁ0
(10.3)
London ÂŁ50 Fr
(24.3)
(7.4)
249â‚Ź
ÂŁ
(27.10)#
(10.11)
*
per person 1 of ÂŁ1,149 Person * proinstead
Tour operator: RSD Travel Ltd., Regent‘s Place, 338 Euston Road, London NW1 3BT, United Kingdom Registered No. 07507940 (England & Wales) British nationals do not need a visa to visit Morocco for the purpose of tourism for up to 3 months. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Morocco. Nationals of other countries are advised to inquire at the Moroccan Embassy about the entry requirements applicable to them. * A deposit of 20% of the tour price is payable upon receipt of written booking confirmation. The remaining amount must be paid 80 days before departure. The price applies on 10 February 2017 and 24 November 2017 for flights from Manchester. For other travel periods, seasonal price increases apply as listed in the flight schedule. # Holiday price increase p.p.: ÂŁ49. This tour is exclusively available for individual travellers and is valid only for the booker plus accompanying adults. The travel conditions of RSD Travel Limited apply. These can be requested from the travel hotline or viewed at www.rsd-travel.co.uk. Subject to misprints and changes. The photos show typical examples of what you can expect from our hotels. Gift only applies when booking the cultural tour. This trip requires a minimum number of 15 participants per travel date. 1 Price example was calculated on 27 October 2016 for the travel dates 10 February to 24 February 2017. Flight from Manchester to Marrakech on www.expedia.co.uk, transfer airport – hotel – airport on www.holidaytransfers.com, roundtrip on www.genesistravelservice.com, hotel BarcelĂł Casablanca and Opera Plaza hotel Marrakech on www. booking.com. The comparative price for the Cultural trip gourmet package is based on the standard prices of our Moroccan partner (www.genesistravelservice.com). 2 RSD Travel Ltd. and RSD Reise Service Deutschland GmbH belong to a European group of tour operators that organises tours for customers from a number of European countries. The survey focused on tourists who travelled with RSD in 2016. 3 Marrakesh was voted the number 1 travel destination in the world by the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2015. The air holidays shown are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for more information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. Our ATOL number is 10396. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.
(24.11)
Including 5 UNESCO s! World Heritage site
Manchester ÂŁ0 Fr
Your reservation code! HEALTH8389
0800 021 1462
Call now, absolutely free, to secure your preferred travel dates. Checked by us for you!
The hotline is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour operator: RSD Travel Ltd., Regent's Place, 338 Euston Road, London, NW1 3BT, United Kingdom, Registered No. 07507940 (England & Wales).
Customer satisfaction
ÂŤ
(24.2)#
All-in rate! Special rate for you as a reader of BE HEALTHY from only Airports Airport fees p. p. Departure day
ÂŁ2301
February 2017 ( 10.2)#
Seasonal price p. p.
OUR GIFT: FREE 8 days of relaxation in a first-class 4-star hotel - 7 nights in a first-class 4-star hotel (nat. category) in the world-famous city of Marrakesh - 7x sumptuous breakfast buffet - Free use of hotel facilities: heated swimming pool and fully-equipped gym
t 3PZBM DJUZ PG .BSSBLFTI Koutoubia Mosque – one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, guided city tour taking in the Sultan’s Palace, magical market square, traditional craftsmanship with jewelry and leather factory, old town (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site)
Days 8 – 15: FREE extended holiday in a first-class 4-star hotel in the world-famous city of Marrakesh
INCLUDING
Exclusive 7-day cultural tour of Morocco ÂŁ6901 - 7 nights in selected 4-star hotels (nat. category) during the cultural tour - 7x sumptuous breakfast buffet - Round trip in our modern and air-conditioned travel coach - Spectacular range of excursions + admissions (as per itinerary), incl. 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Fez, Volubilis, Meknes, Rabat, Marrakesh
24-hour emergency medical service
t $BTBCMBODB Hassan II Mosque – one of the largest mosques in the world (admission not included), Mohammed V Square, City Hall, Palace of Justice and City Theatre
INCLUDING
ÂŁ2291
Qualified, English-speaking tour guides
t 3PZBM DJUZ PG 3BCBU splendid royal palace, Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites)
Flight Dates
p. p.
1
Spanien
(UNESCO)
INCLUDING
249
*
incl. 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites! Package includes: Meknes Your itinerary and inclusive programme:
Fez
INCLUDING
FREE!
Reliability | Hospitality | Expertise Interview with 72,426 people conducted by RSD Travel Ltd./RSD 2, in 06/2016
Overall score: A-
YOUR BENENDEN
Cyclists raise £26,000 Sir Chris Hoy backs 540-mile charity bike ride Sir Chris Hoy backed a team of 20 Benenden cyclists as they tackled a tough 540-mile journey through Britain’s countryside to raise awareness of mental illness – and £26,000 for charity. During the seven-day Cycle GB 2016 event, the team carried a carved wooden spurtle signed by Sir Chris. The spurtle – traditionally used for stirring porridge – was passed like a baton between cyclists as they racked up the miles between the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow, and the finishing line at Benenden Hospital, Kent. The spurtle will be installed in a history display at Benenden Hospital this spring. The £26,000 raised is to be split evenly between the Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH) and Benenden Charitable Trust.
SERV Kent bikers
Sarah Nicholson, corporate partnerships manager, SAMH, said: “We are so grateful to all the cyclists for taking part in the gruelling 540-mile cycle. We send a huge thank you to everyone who took part, raising £26,000 for SAMH and Benenden Charitable Trust. “Our services are more vital than ever, with one in four of us every year experiencing a mental health problem. The money raised will go towards supporting services in over 60 communities across Scotland.” Thomas Craigen, manager of Benenden Charitable Trust, who helped coordinate Cycle
GB 2016, said: “We had amazing support – from sponsors, from Virgin and Marriott, from our mechanic and first-aider Scot, from our massage therapists – and from each other. “It was fascinating seeing the individuals rally as a team through some extremely challenging weather and road conditions. Across both stages, a vast amount of coffee, cake and calories were consumed, friendships forged and a passion for cycling stoked.” To support Cycle GB 2016 please visit www.justgiving. com/teams/cyclegb2016
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS A charity supported in 2016 by Benenden Hospital is calling for volunteer motorcyclists, drivers and controllers to help keep its crucial work on the road. SERV Kent helps transport essentials, including blood, medicines, samples and equipment, between hospitals, hospices, patients’ homes and Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance. Visit www.servkent.co.uk
MORE MEMBERS ASK FOR HELP Applications to Benenden Charitable Trust rose by almost a quarter during the first 10 months of 2016. The rise, welcomed by the charity as an opportunity to help more members, was attributed to the charity’s awareness activity, including branch meeting presentations, articles in society publications and high-profile fundraising events such as Cycle GB 2016. If you are struggling financially because of a health issue, please call the charity on 0800 414 8450 to discuss your circumstances and find out what help is available. Alternatively, visit www.benenden.co.uk/ charitable-trust www.benenden.co.uk 45
Make your short break a SuperBreak
Exceptional value, incredible choice and outstanding service. Now that’s a SuperBreak.
10% off
all breaks
You’ll save an exclusive 10% on all attractions, theatre & concerts, hotels and transport inc. Eurostar. As well as an afternoon tea and dinner deal break you can unwind on one of our European city breaks to Rome, Reykjavik and beyond. We’re on hand to help make your break unforgettable.
To book visit: www.superbreak.com/af280 or call 01904 436 002 (and quote: “AF280”) Lines open 7 days a week,
8am until 10pm. No booking or credit card fees
YOUR BENENDEN
Contact Benenden Membership and service enquiries 0800 414 8100
Health concern support 0800 414 8100 (Lines open 8am–8pm, Mon–Fri)
(Lines open 8am–8pm, Mon–Fri)
24/7 GP advice line 0800 414 8247 Round-the-clock medical advice from a qualified, UK-based doctor is just a phone call away
Psychological wellbeing 24/7 helpline 0800 414 8247
If you’re feeling overanxious, a qualified therapist can offer information about local services that can help with issues such as money worries, relationship problems and bereavement
Independent care advice services 0800 414 8100 (Lines open 8am–8pm, Mon–Fri)
Add family to your membership 0800 414 8470 (Lines open 8am–5pm, Mon–Fri)
Recommend Benenden Pass on the recommendation cards included in this edition of Be Healthy
Your three-step guide to contacting us when you need help with obtaining a diagnosis or treatment
1 2 3
First of all, you will need a referral from your GP. You will already have explored NHS waiting times. If you’re unable to wait for the NHS, ask us if Benenden could assist you.
Registered office Benenden, Holgate Park Drive, York YO26 4GG
IN FOCUS
Cataract surgery could be the answer It is one of the most common procedures carried out in the UK – and it can change your life in the most visible way. Cataract surgery is the removal of a cloudy or hardened lens that is affecting your sight and the
insertion of a plastic lens. If you believe you have a cataract or cataracts, see your GP or optician, who might refer you to an ophthalmic consultant. If you are referred for cataract surgery on the NHS, but feel the waiting list is too
long, call Member Services and ask whether Benenden may be able to help. Where appropriate, we will offer you cataract surgery at Benenden Hospital in Kent. Our team of specialists carry out hundreds of cataract operations each year.
Call 0800 414 8100 to discuss access to cataract surgery www.benenden.co.uk 47
I like the idea of liberating genetic information, but it can create anxiety
Spit and cough up Discovering your genetic profile is now just a click away
H
Backchat Dr Phil Hammond ILLUSTRATION JASON FORD
48 Be Healthy Spring 2017
ave you had your genomic profile read yet? Learning about DNA from samples of spit has been all the rage in America since 2007, and is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. For just £147, the company 23andme will analyse your DNA. It will, it states, let you “view reports on over 100 health conditions and traits, find out about your inherited risk factors and how you might respond to certain medications, help you discover your lineage and find DNA relatives”. You log in to the company website, fill in your credit card information and register for a
genetic scan. You are then sent a test tube and asked to fill it with your saliva. You send it back and await the results. A fortnight later, you can click on the website for your profile, which predicts how your genes influence your risk of developing hundreds of diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, depression, dementia and even restless leg syndrome. Having a peek at your genes sounds empowering. It should enable you to take action to prevent the diseases you are most at risk of. If you have a higher genetic risk of colon cancer, you might choose to have a colonoscopy early. I like the idea of liberating genetic
information for the masses but as with all medical tests, it can give false results and errors, and create huge anxiety if you can’t handle uncertainty and complex data. And by bypassing doctors and academic assessment we don’t quite know what we’ve unleashed on the public. The paternalistic view that patients can’t handle this information without a doctor on hand to help interpret it is still prevalent in health systems. The bigger issue for me, though, is that we don’t yet know what all the information means and how reliable it is, so we are unable to predict whether the test is worth having. I know doctors who have had the test done to satisfy their curiosity. They’ve all found the raw genetic data hard to interpret, so non-scientists must be doubly confused. However, one gene expert I spoke to was excited about the possibility of combining DNA analysis with dating apps. “Imagine if you combined Tinder with 23andme. As well as deciding if you fancy someone, you can see whether you share any genetic risks that would make it unwise to have children,” he said. “And all in a single swipe.” For attraction, it’s in his kiss. But for compatibility, it’s in his spit. As for me, I’m keeping my spit to myself and concentrating on a happy, gentle lifestyle. Eat well, don’t smoke, drink sensibly, exercise often, love always and live for the day. In short, I’m getting the best out of the genes life has dealt me. Dr Phil’s Health Revolution is touring the UK. Visit www.drphilhammond.com
£8.71◊ - A great way to look after your whole family’s health You: £8.71
£8.71 £8.71
£8.71
£8.71
£8.71
Add those you care about to your Benenden Personal Healthcare You already enjoy the reassurance that comes with having discretionary healthcare from Benenden. So if you’re looking for a way to get some peace of mind for the rest of your family or friends, simply add them to your membership. Not only will you grow the Benenden family, your loved ones will be able to request help when they need it.
Healthcare for the whole family for just £8.71 per person per month: • 24/7 GP Advice Line • Fast diagnosis and treatment after 6 months • No age limit, no medicals, no excess • Help relieve the stress of long NHS waiting lists
PLUS you get a
£10 M&S gift card for everyone you add†
• Affordable alternative to private healthcare
Add your family and friends today
www.benenden.co.uk/benjan17
0800 414 8157 quote BENJAN17
◊From 1st April 2017 payments will increase by 39p to £9.10 per person per month †£10 M&S gift card for every new nominee added to an existing membership, quoting BENJAN17 at the point of join. To qualify for the incentive, applications must be received between 17th January 2017 and 31st March 2017 and all new members must remain with Benenden beyond the 14 day cooling off period. Gift cards will be sent via post within 52 days of the new member joining. You must be a current member at the point gift cards are sent. Gift cards offer applies to people included in this promotional mailing. Offer subject to availability. No alternative to this promotion will be offered. Please note that your call may be recorded for our mutual security and also for training and quality purposes. Lines are open 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays). Membership is available to anyone over the age of 16 who is normally resident in the UK. Members can add family and friends to their membership regardless of their age. Benenden is a trading name of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited and its subsidiaries. Benenden personal healthcare is offered by The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, which is an incorporated Friendly Society, registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1992, registered number 480F. The Society’s contractual business (the provision of tuberculosis benefit) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The remainder of the Society’s business is undertaken on a discretionary basis. The Society is subject to Prudential Regulation Authority requirements for prudential management. Registered Office: The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG. ADV/ADDNOM/JW/12.16