Health & Wellbeing

Wolverhampton launches Health and Wellbeing Together next week – bringing together key health and social care leaders to improve outcomes for local people.

They will join forces in a bid reduce health inequalities in the city, improve the health and wellbeing of residents and support the development of better and more joined up health and social care services.

The launch of the new board follows a review of the previous Wolverhampton Health and Wellbeing Board and is designed to strengthen partnership working.

It has been accompanied by the development of a new website to support its work – http://wellbeingwolves.co.uk. It includes information about the Board, links to additional resources and advice about how residents and communities can help improving their own health and wellbeing.

Councillor Roger Lawrence, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council and Chair of Health and Wellbeing Together, said: "The launch of Health and Wellbeing Together marks an important step forward for us.

"Health and wellbeing is about more than health and care services. The environments we live in, our lifestyles, the opportunities we have throughout our whole lives, education, family, good jobs and community all have an impact on our health.

"The new board brings together representatives from a wide range of stakeholders across the city who will be able to work together even more closely to tackle the issues that matter most to local people."

The first meeting of Health and Wellbeing Together takes place at the Civic Centre on Wednesday (17 October, 2018) and is open to the public. Items on the agenda include the transformation of Children and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS), suicide prevention and the annual reports of Wolverhampton's safeguarding boards. For more details, please visit http://wellbeingwolves.co.uk.

Meanwhile there is still time for people to have their say on what they think the health and wellbeing priorities for Wolverhampton should be.

Researchers from a West Midlands healthcare Trust have been named as the best in the region – after scooping a prestigious award for their dedication and hard work.

The Research and Development Team, from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWBH) were given the Best Overall Performance accolade in the Clinical Research Network (CRN) West Midlands awards ceremony held on Thursday (4 October).

Professor Karim Raza, Director of Research and Development (R&D) at the Trust, said: "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of R&D staff and other researchers at SWBH. The Trust Board has been particularly supportive of R&D  at SWBH recognising the enormous benefits that a vibrant research environment has for the patients we serve and for our staff - we look forward to building on this success and developing further over the next few years"

Zaida Khalil, Research and Governance Manager at the Trust, added: “We were nominated by the CRN senior leadership team and this in itself was an honour. To win the award is a real privilege and it acknowledges the brilliant work that the Research and Development team and our investigators are carrying out at the Trust. This raises our profile not just within the West Midlands but also nationally. We intend to continue with this work and are grateful for the recognition we have received.”

The award is described by the CRN as a special one and a very difficult one to judge, which is there to acknowledge the organisation which has worked most closely with the network in terms of contribution to its overall joint objectives, and engaging with the teams.

The citation said of the Trust: “This organisation has been consistently meeting both their recruitment targets and their activity based funding targets, and is one of the best at keeping its data up-to-date, despite staff changes and shortages. They are very engaged with the network's teams and work well with the study support team in the network to ensure that the studies are set up quickly and efficiently.”

Professor Jeremy Kirk, Clinical Director for the CRN, said: “These awards showcase the commitment of individuals and teams throughout the region to giving people the opportunity to take part in research.  We received many outstanding nominations this year and offer warmest congratulations to all our winners.”

An innovative new service has been launched to help improve the emotional mental health and wellbeing of thousands of children and young people in Wolverhampton.

The BEAM Wolverhampton service, commissioned by the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group and HeadStart Wolverhampton, will support over 2,000 children and young people every year.

It is being delivered by the Children’s Society, which has developed a number of successful emotional mental health and wellbeing services in the West Midlands in recent years, and will provide a safe space for children and young people aged from birth to 18 – and care leavers and anyone with a disability up to the age of 25 – who may need support with their emotional health and well-being.

BEAM Wolverhampton will be delivered from a number of locations around the city and is aimed at children and young people who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional wellbeing concerns, are engaging in risk-taking or disruptive behaviours, are living with families experiencing difficulties or who might be known to other services.

It provides scheduled sessions with qualified therapists as well as a drop-in service where young people won’t need an appointment to speak to trained staff.

The drop-in service offers a relaxed place where children and young people can enjoy refreshments, play games and talk to professionals about whatever is on their mind, whether that is stress, bullying, self-harm, eating problems, confidence, anxiety, anger or depression.

Sessions take place at The Way Youth Zone, School Street, on Mondays from 11am–3pm and Eastfield Community Centre, Colliery Road, on Wednesdays from 1pm–5pm, and a team of therapists, youth workers and trained volunteers are on hand to provide support.

The structured appointment service enables young people to learn more about a problem they’re facing and about strategies that can help. The sessions are available through a referral by the child’s school, GP or BEAM Wolverhampton or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services professionals.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This innovative new service will help increase the range of provision for children and young people experiencing emotional mental health and wellbeing issues in Wolverhampton, and will ensure they receive appropriate support, whether that be through drop-in sessions or one-to-one therapy.”

Rob Willoughby, the Children’s Society Area Director for the Midlands, said: “BEAM Wolverhampton is one of many services we have developed in the West Midlands. We are really looking forward to working with the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group and HeadStart Wolverhampton to further support our children and young people.”

Mags Courts, Children’s Commissioning Manager from Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, added: "BEAM Wolverhampton is an important step forward in providing the much-needed emotional mental health and wellbeing support for Wolverhampton’s children and young people, as part of a range of services available.”

For more information about BEAM Wolverhampton, please visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/helping-children/beam-wolverhampton or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Children and young people aged 10 to 16 can also get help and support to improve their emotional mental health and wellbeing through HeadStart Wolverhampton, part of a £56m programme set up by Big Lottery Fund covering six areas across the country.

A West Midlands healthcare Trust has been recognised for its excellent work in diversity and inclusion in a top awards ceremony.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust scooped the Nursing Times Workforce award for Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice at a glittering event held on Thursday (4 October).

Stuart Young, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, attended the ceremony. He said: “We are honoured to be recognised for this prestigious award and proud of our workforce.

“This was made possible because of the dedication and commitment of staff across the Trust and the tireless work of our staff networks. We are really excited that our initiative which allows staff to bring their ‘whole self’ to work was recognised. It means that employees can be their true self when they are at their workplace. We know that staff who bring their ‘whole self’ to work, deliver higher quality patient-centred care because they are not having to worry about hiding something.”

Raffaela Goodby, Director of People and Organisation Development added: “I am so proud of all of the colleagues who have worked hard on the culture change that has happened, to mean we are a more inclusive employer. Equality and Diversity isn’t a buzz word or something we should be doing here at our organisation. It is a real ambition of the Trust board to educate colleagues and partners in the challenges our colleagues face because of their ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation and it is our privilege to celebrate the beautiful richness of culture, background and experience across our 7,000-strong workforce.”

The inaugural Nursing Times Workforce Awards was held at the Grange Tower Hotel, in London. It recognises and rewards the excellent work that is being done by employers to support the nursing and midwifery workforce. The recruitment team from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, were also shortlisted for the Best Recruitment Experience award. The entries were assessed by a range of healthcare workforce experts and independent specialists.

Ask twice, people urged, as new research shows over three quarters of people in the West Midlands would say they are ‘fine’ even if struggling with a mental health problem

New research released by the mental health anti-stigma campaign, Time to Change, reveals that when asked, 80% of people in the West Midlands would tell friends and family we are ‘fine’, even if struggling with a mental health problem^[1].

When asked why, responses suggest we doubt whether people really want to hear the honest answer.

The top concerns in the West Midlands were¹:

• Just because people ask how you are, doesn’t mean they really want to know (60%)
• I don’t want to burden people (53%)
• I’d only talk if I was confident my friend or family member really wanted to listen (40%)

The national survey of over 2,000 people highlights that asking ‘How are you?’ can often prompt no more than a meaningless exchange. To tackle this, Time to Change is urging people to ‘Ask Twice’ if they suspect a friend, family member, or colleague might be struggling with their mental health. The campaign says the simple act of asking again, with interest, shows a genuine willingness to talk and listen.

‘Ask Twice’ is launched as part of Time to Change’s five-year In Your Corner campaign, which encourages us to be more open and supportive of the 1 in 4 people living with a mental health problem in any given year.

While there has been a positive shift^[2] in the way mental health problems are viewed in England, insight shows that in practical terms many people are still unsure of how to be more supportive.

Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, said “We all hear it dozens of times a day: ‘How are you?’ ‘Fine thanks, how are you? ’Our research shows that, as a nation, we find it hard to answer honestly. This could mean someone close to you is struggling with their mental health – they might just be waiting for your cue to talk about it. Asking twice is a simple, effective way to show our friends and family members that we are asking for real; that we are ready to listen, whether that’s now or whenever they’re ready.”

Deian, 45, has experienced depression. He said: “I’ve pretended to be fine when I’m not countless times! I’ve had mental health problems on and off my whole life including suicidal thoughts which eventually ended my marriage. It can take a lot to open up about mental health problems.  It makes a big difference knowing that people are asking because they care and want to try and support.

“My friends do ask if I’m ok, but I’d feel more comfortable opening up if they asked me more than once. When I have been able to talk in the past, it really has been life changing. If people are unsure of how to support their friends or family, I’d say just ask how they are, twice if necessary, and find out how they are really feeling.”

Time to Change has compiled some tips on how to support a friend who does open up:

• Take it seriously, don’t judge
• Actively listen – ask open questions, summarise to show you’ve listened and reflect.
• Remember you don’t have to fix it
• A simple “that sounds difficult” can show you care

A mother whose son receives care from Our Health Heroes 2017 winner John Clifford has called for members of the public and those working within the healthcare sector to nominate the people who are making a real difference to the lives of patients across the UK.

Organised by Skills for Health and the National Skills Academy for Health, Our Health Heroes is a national healthcare awards scheme which recognises individuals, teams and employers from within the healthcare sector who are going the extra mile for their patients, colleagues and staff.

Cerianne Kieft, whose son Hari was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months old, says that John Clifford, a physiotherapy technical instructor from Neath Port Talbot Hospital who has been supporting her son since his diagnosis, is a hero in her eyes.

She said: “As parents we want the best [healthcare] for our children and that’s what we get in John. His passion, enthusiasm and willingness to try anything that works for our son is inspirational.

“John looks at the abilities of the child, not just their disabilities, and he’s willing to try anything so that they succeed. He was there when Hari took his first steps and when he learned to jump, and he taught him how to ride a bike.

“John is a very important person in our family because even though Hari was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, often a diagnosis affects the whole family.”

The deadline for nominations has been extended to midnight on Sunday 23^rd September and Cerianne is urging people to celebrate those who are making a real difference in healthcare facilities across the UK.

A West Midlands health care Trust has become the first in the region to offer extra time off to parents whose babies are born prematurely.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has pledged to sign up to The Smallest Things ‘Employer with Heart’ Charter ­ - which means that mums and dads will receive full pay until the point that their maternity or paternity leave was due to start.

Current NHS terms and conditions afford new mums whose baby has been born prematurely to split their maternity leave, allowing them to take two weeks leave immediately after childbirth, and the rest following their baby’s discharge from hospital.

One in eight babies are born prematurely and subsequently parents have a reduced time to bond with their baby as maternity or paternity leave starts from the date of birth. Some newborns are kept in hospital for several weeks or more which will mean that parents find themselves having to go back to work without having spent much time at home with their new baby.

Paula Gardner, Chief Nurse, said: “We are pleased to become the first Trust in the West Midlands to offer this commitment to parents.

“Our staff are dedicated to their jobs and work hard to ensure their patients receive high quality care, so we believe that we should return that sentiment by looking after them when they need our help in their personal lives.

“By signing up to this charter, it means that we will be able to help new mums and dads who are facing a difficult and worrying time after experiencing premature labour.”

Catriona Ogilvy, founder and chair of The Smallest Things charity, says "We're delighted that Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has recognised the unique needs of families of premature babies and is signing up to our Employer with Heart charter.

"Giving birth prematurely and spending time on a neonatal unit for weeks, sometimes months, is terrifying and traumatic for parents. The last thing they should be worrying about is work and whether they can afford to spend time at the incubator or cot of their fragile baby. We know that the journey often doesn't end when a premature baby is allowed to go home either. This extra time will go some way to supporting parents' mental health, the baby's medical needs and ultimately aid a smoother transition back to work when the time comes."​​

Based on H1 2018 figures from STR, Marrakech has emerged as a standout performer among key African cities.

In the first half of 2018, Marrakech’s ADR (average daily rate) increased 40.7% to US$195. Despite this considerable rate growth, the market also recorded a 12.3% increase in occupancy. In terms of RevPAR (revenue per available room), a technical measure used by hotel investors and operators because it takes in to account how full a hotel is, Marrakech saw a 58.0% increase to US$124.

Thomas Emanuel expert in business development said: “Due to its proximity to markets where security concerns have hindered tourism business, Morocco’s hotel performance has suffered in recent years. As consumer confidence is returning to several of these markets, Morocco’s leisure capital, Marrakech, has seen an increase in demand and hotel operators have managed to capitalize by driving rate growth.”

Another key African destination seeing notable growth is the Cairo & Giza market. In H1 2018, occupancy went up 10.1% while ADR went up 9.6%, reaching US$93.

In some other major African cities, the picture for hotels is less positive. In Cape Town, for example, occupancy dropped 10.8% compared with H1 2017. With the appreciation of the South African rand against the U.S. dollar, the market recorded a 3.0% decline in ADR in local currency, but a 5.4% increase when looked at in U.S. dollars, reaching US$151.

Occupancy and rates have also fallen in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. In Nairobi, occupancy dropped 0.6% while ADR fell 6.5% in U.S. dollars. Dar Es Salaam saw a sharper occupancy decline (-2.1%), but a less severe rate decline (-2.7%, in USD). Both markets recorded actual occupancy levels below 50% for the first half of the year, with Nairobi operating at 49.3% and Dar Es Salaam at 47.6%.

Recent increases in demand have driven occupancy growth as well as rate growth in local currencies for both Lagos and Addis Ababa, but looking in U.S. dollars the scenario is less positive. Lagos’ occupancy was up 10.3%, but its ADR dropped 7.6% in U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa saw a 7.3% increase in occupancy, but an 11.6% decline in ADR in U.S. dollars.

A couple who tragically lost their twin babies are hosting an evening of entertainment at the Abbey Hotel in Great Malvern to raise money for the hospital where they were treated.

Sophie Langstaff was admitted to Good Hope Hospital delivery suite in May 2018, with the sad knowledge that her twins, Fraser James and Parker James, would not survive. Sophie said: “It was without doubt the hardest week of our lives.”

Fraser was born on 15 May, passing away shortly after being born. Sophie and her husband Jordan were able to keep him close by thanks to the CuddleCot that keeps the baby cool, allowing parents longer to spend with their baby. Two days later, Parker was born and tragically he also died shortly after being born.

After this incredibly difficult time, Sophie and Jordan were taken to the Snowdrop Suite, the bereavement suite at Good Hope Hospital that allows parents to spend time with their babies, and receive specialist support from the staff on the ward.

Now, Sophie and Jordan have turned their attention to fundraising for the ward where they were treated, and are hosting a glamorous ball in February, at the Abbey Hotel in Malvern. The event will include a dinner, with an auction and raffle, with a night’s stay at the hotel and breakfast included within the price of the ticket.

Sophie has close connections to Good Hope Hospital, having been born there herself, and giving birth to her daughters Maddison, 6, and Olivia, 2, at the hospital. Sophie said: “We are determined to raise money for the hospital where I was treated, we want to help other parents who will go through the same traumatic experiences that we endured. Good Hope Hospital Charity works to provide ‘added extras’ for the Snowdrop Suite, and I know that the money that we raise will help to make a difference to parents in the future.”

The couple are setting out to make a difference, and will be hosting a golf day in April to continue their fundraising. Laura Power, Fundraising Manager at Good Hope Hospital Charity, said: “The Charity is incredibly grateful to Sophie and her husband for organising the ball to raise money to support the Snowdrop Suite at Good Hope. It’s hard to imagine what they have both been through, and to have come through it and fundraise to help parents like them in the future shows how strong they are. On behalf of everyone at Good Hope Hospital, I wish them the very best for their fundraising, and I hope that they have a fantastic time at the ball, I’m sure it will be a great success.”

Our Health Heroes, the national healthcare awards, are returning for the third year and promise to be bigger and better than ever, with new categories added to recognise more staff within the care and healthcare sectors.

Organised by Skills for Health and the National Skills Academy for Health, Our Health Heroes 2018 aims to recognise the contribution of healthcare workers across the UK.

Thanks to the ongoing support of headline sponsor Health Education England and prize sponsors UNISON, NHS Improvement and NHS England, the awards have grown and will now include the Lifetime Achievement Award #NHS70 and Staff Retention and Wellbeing Employer of the Year Award.

The new categories are in addition to the established awards for: Apprentice of the Year; Workforce Planning Team of the Year; Integrated Team of the Year; and Clinical Support and Operational Services Support Worker of the Year.

Care and healthcare staff from across the UK can be nominated by line managers and colleagues via the Skills for Health website. Applications for the Lifetime Achievement Award are also open to public nomination.

Entrants will be shortlisted and regional winners and finalists will either be chosen by public vote or by an expert panel, before the winners are announced at the awards ceremony later this year.

John Clifford, a physiotherapy technical instructor from Neath Port Talbot Hospital, won the Clinical Support Worker of the Year award in 2017.

He said: “I was shocked and very proud when I was nominated in the Clinical Support Worker of the Year category. During the awards ceremony I met with lots of deserving people from all over the country, who are all winners – every one of them go that extra mile in their jobs.

“You can imagine how I felt hearing about all the superb nominees for the category – I could have picked any of them to be a deserving winner. When my name was called out as the UK winner I was shell shocked and sat there for a few seconds until my colleague told me to get up and go and collect my award.

“I feel so proud to have even been nominated for this award, and even prouder to be the overall UK winner.”

John Rogers, Chief Executive of Skills for Health, said: “There are thousands of unsung heroes in our NHS without whom our healthcare system would grind to a halt.

“These dedicated staff work hard to keep the NHS running, and the excellent patient care that we all expect from our health service would not be possible without their commitment and passion.

“I am very proud that Skills for Health, the National Skills Academy for Health and our sponsors are shining a light on their contribution and I look forward to celebrating these amazing people at our awards ceremony in November.”

Laura Roberts, Regional Director (North) for Health Education England (HEE), said: "Health Education England is delighted to be sponsoring the Our Health Heroes awards.

“Healthcare is all about people and HEE is committed to ensuring staff working in the NHS make up a rich tapestry of knowledge and skills – whether they have entered the service through an apprenticeship or via a more traditional route.

“Healthcare support workers are the life blood of the NHS and through bringing to life the right values and behaviours, such as compassion, respect and dignity, they are making a significant impact in ensuring patients receive high quality care.”

Sara Gorton, Head of Health at UNISON, said: “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, it’s important to recognise its staff who work tirelessly, year after year, to help others. Our health service is the envy of the world thanks to the commitment, hard work and skills of all its staff.

“UNISON is proud to be sponsoring the Operational Services Support Worker of the Year award; these individuals are the unsung heroes of the NHS, who often work behind the scenes to make sure patients and their families get the best treatment possible.”

Mark Radford, Director of Nursing at NHS Improvement, said: “It’s a huge honour to help recognise and celebrate the contribution of our healthcare workers. The NHS is nothing without its people, and we are proud to be part of highlighting the value our dedicated workforce brings to the patient experience, day in, day out.”

Health bosses at Sandwell council are urging young adults to check whether they have had their MMR vaccine following a recent outbreak of disease across the country.

They have drawn up a targeted marketing campaign in the wake of an outbreak which has included cases in the West Midlands.

Young adults may have missed their vaccine due to a controversy that occurred 20 years ago surrounding the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which falsely linked the jab to autism and resulted in a significant drop in its uptake.

Ansaf Azhar, interim Director of Public Health, said: “Measles can be a very serious illness and lead to severe complications, especially in people who are particularly vulnerable or have other health conditions.

“The message of this campaign is relevant for everyone however we are especially keen to target young adults.  This group may have missed their MMR vaccination as a result of a study that inferred the vaccine was unsafe.

“This study has been universally discredited. The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.”

Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for Public Health and Protection, said: “It is important that people remain aware of the risk of measles, especially when travelling to places where there has been an outbreak.

“The misery caused by measles is entirely preventable through ensuring that you’re up to date with your vaccine.  If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, it’s important to take up the vaccine now from GP.

And she urged people to check their child’s Red Book to see if they’ve received MMR vaccinations as scheduled, or check with your GP surgery if you’re unsure.

It is particularly important for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children when offered at 1 year of age and as a pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months of age. If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, it’s important to take up the vaccine now from GPs, particularly in light of the recent outbreaks.

Symptoms to be aware of include:

• high fever
• sore, red, watery eyes
• coughing
• aching and feeling generally unwell
• a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms

People can find out more about the help and support available to people living with cancer when a special roadshow rolls into Wolverhampton next month.

The Macmillan Mobile Information and Support Service will be coming to Queen Square on Wednesday 22 August, 2018, with experts on board to cancer.

Macmillan Information and Support Specialist Danielle Mellows said: "Our Macmillan Mobile Information and Support Service is here for anyone with any worries or concerns about cancer, no matter what type of cancer.

“Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are going through treatment or are living beyond cancer, feel free to pay us a visit – we welcome carers, family members and loved ones as well.

“We can provide information on a range of issues, including different treatments, financial advice, exercise, getting back to work, or what local services might be on offer for you. You can even just stop by for a chat; no appointment is needed.”

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “One in two people will sadly get cancer within their lifetime. We know that early diagnosis improves survival rates and that the sooner cancer is detected the sooner people can start making better life choices.

“We want to ensure people know about the signs and symptoms of cancer, and about the help and support which is available to anyone who is affected by this cruel disease.

“You or someone you care for might have had an experience of cancer, you may be in good health but want to find out about any symptoms you should be looking for, or you might be an employer who wants to help a member of your staff who has the disease – whatever your interest, please drop in and find out more.

“Experts will be on hand to answer your questions, whether that’s about the different types of cancer, signs and symptoms, treatment, or any practical or emotional issues experienced by you or your friends and family.”

The Macmillan Mobile Information and Support Service will be in Queen Square, by the statue of Prince Albert, from 9am-4pm. The roadshow has been brought to Wolverhampton thanks to the support of Macmillan Cancer Support, the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton BID and Galliford Try.

For more information about cancer, please visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Please note, this is not a screening session – people should contact their GP as soon as possible if they notice any symptoms or have any concerns about cancer.

Public Health England (PHE) is working with The Hepatitis C Trust to raise awareness of new data released by the charity to mark World Hepatitis Day – with figures showing a widespread lack of awareness of the transmission risks and symptoms of the potentially deadly virus.

Despite around 80% of people stating they thought they knew what hepatitis C is, only 27% of people in the region knew that it infects the liver (37.8% nationally), and less than 30% in the region and nationally are aware that the virus is curable.

Symptom awareness is also low, with around a third of people regionally and nationally accurately identifying tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting and abdominal pains as signs of infection. When asked how hepatitis C is transmitted, nearly a quarter of people (23%) in the region (27% nationally) incorrectly said it was through exchanging saliva.

Just over half (51.7%) of people in the West Midlands knew that symptoms are not always obvious and can go unnoticed (a little more than 46.5% nationally), leading to people living for years without knowing they are infected.

If left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to liver cancer, liver failure and death. Between 2005 and 2014, deaths from hepatitis-C related end-stage liver disease in England more than doubled, though are now beginning to fall due to new treatments.

Public Health England (PHE) is supporting The Hepatitis C Trust, calling for increased community outreach efforts to ensure all those living with hepatitis C who are undiagnosed or out of touch with services are tested, treated and cured. Bold ambition is necessary to increase the numbers of people tested and diagnosed for hepatitis C and achieve the NHS England ambition of eliminating hepatitis C by 2025.

Dr Bharat Sibal, lead Health Protection consultant with PHE West Midlands, said: “Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact and, contrary to popular myth, cannot be spread via spitting, coughing, sneezing or other physical contact. It is preventable, treatable and curable for the vast majority of people. Since 2015, treatments with short durations, limited side-effects and cure rates upwards of 95% have been widely available. “People who inject drugs are the group most at risk of becoming infected with hepatitis C, and anyone who has ever injected drugs, even once or a long time ago, should get tested. Other high-risk groups include men who have sex with men, people in the South Asian community, and people who received a blood transfusion prior to 1991. Referral for testing is available through GPs, and support and guidance is available from The Hepatitis C Trust via a helpline staffed by people with direct experience of hepatitis C.”

Political leaders, clinical experts and campaigners have spoken out on World Hepatitis Day to express their support for the fight to eliminate hepatitis C and emphasise the importance of increasing the numbers of people tested and treated.

Rachel Halford, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: “With revolutionary new treatments available to all through the NHS, this new data shows clearly that the greatest challenges to tackling hepatitis C are dispelling misconceptions, raising awareness and minimising barriers to testing and treatment. We want to see treatment available in all community settings, including pharmacies, drug and alcohol services, sexual health services and primary care. There’s no reason that testing cannot be conducted by any trained service worker, and community outreach will be essential to ensuring all those currently undiagnosed are tested, treated and cured."

Dr Helen Harris, Clinical Scientist at Public Health England, said: “The results of this survey highlight the very low levels of awareness of hepatitis C and the factors that put people at risk of infection. We strongly encourage anyone who may have been at risk of hepatitis C infection to get tested, whether or not they have any symptoms. It is crucial that people are tested and diagnosed in order that they can access treatment early to clear the virus. Increased levels of testing and diagnosis are essential if we are to reach our goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health threat in the UK by 2030, at the latest.”

Professor Steve Ryder, Consultant Hepatologist and Chair of the Hepatitis C Coalition, said: “This timely research from the Hepatitis C Trust is very welcome. As World Hepatitis Day approaches, now is the time for action on eliminating this curable disease. As these survey results demonstrate, it is critical that we address the lack of awareness and the misinformation surrounding hepatitis C swiftly and decisively. We need to spread the message as widely as possible that people should be on the lookout for symptoms and to get tested if they have any of the risk factors. Crucially, there is no cause for alarm, because this disease can be effectively treated. This is a public health battle we can win, and it is a real opportunity to seize it with both hands.”

Activated charcoal lovers rejoice, the wellness beverage is now available in an affordable sharing size - no more messing around with expensive, tiny shots of the cleansing ingredient.

Health drinks brand, WOW, has launched the world's first multi-serve bottle of an activated charcoal drink, available from 30th July in selected Co-op stores.

WOW Body Cleanse Drink is a blend of cold-pressed juice and filtered water added to activated charcoal derived from coconut shells. The beverage targets common health concerns faced by many; bloating, over-indulgence and even the common cold. Activated charcoal has been used for centuries to help maintain a healthy digestive tract by removing toxins. When consumed, gas and other impurities in your body are trapped by the charcoal's pores, stopping them from being fully absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then removed naturally from your body.

WOW's activated charcoal is cleanly sourced from coconut shells, not the coal you find on your barbecue. The charcoal becomes activated through a steaming process, creating a densely porous surface. Unlike other similar drinks on the market, WOW Body Cleanse Drink will not burn a hole in your pocket, with the new size available from £3.50

The drink is jet black but the activated charcoal is tasteless. The low calorie drink is available in three flavours, Lemon & Ginger; Raspberry and Lemon & Mint.

The larger bottle will provide three recommended portions (250ml) and once opened must be consumed within two days.

A Chinese contemporary artist, best known for his hyper-realistic paintings and drawings, is to be awarded a top honour from Birmingham City University when he receives an honorary doctorate from the UK institution next week.

Born in 1963 in Sichuan, Leng Jun (冷军) Jun graduated from the Fine Arts Department at the Hankou Branch of Wuhan Normal College in 1984 and currently lives and works in Beijing.

The artist is renowned for the incredible detail in his paintings which can only truly be appreciated up close or with a magnifying glass. In his artwork you can observe the precision of his paintbrush, with the artist capturing the shadow cast by a sweater’s thread on his subject’s skin, for example. He has developed his own method and style based on traditional western techniques, which take the visual expression and realness of oil painting to a whole new level.

Jun’s award will be conferred by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Plowden on Tuesday 24 July in a graduation ceremony at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, alongside graduands from Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Schools of Art, Fashion and Textiles, Jewellery, and Visual Communication.

On finding out he had been selected for the award, Leng Jun said:

“It is certainly going to be a day to remember! Many thanks to the University, the Vice-Chancellor and all the friends who put in great effort to make this happen.

“In Chinese we have a tradition that calls to never forget a generous act and grasp every opportunity to return the hospitality that you've received. It will be a great honour if I have the chance to contribute to Birmingham City University in the future.”

Jun’s artistry has been described as “paintings that are beyond limits” by scholars, meaning they meet or exceed the expression of oil paint material. His artistic process relies entirely on sketching, rather than photographs, ensuring that every work is vivid and intriguing in its visual effect, capturing the minutest details.

Jun’s work has also been recognised by major art exhibitions in China, having won the Art Award in the 2nd Annual Chinese Oil Painting Exhibition, the Golden Award in the 3rd Annual Chinese Art Exhibition and the Gold Award in the 9th National Art Exhibition.

Leng Jun has served as the Head of Wuhan Academy of Painting, and today holds several important roles within China, including that of Vice Chairman of Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Vice Chairman of Hubei Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Vice Chairman of Hubei Artists Association, Chairman of Wuhan Artists Association and Director of China Oil Painting Society.

Elsewhere, he is a researcher in the Oil Paintings department at China National Academy of Painting and is a member of both the Oil Painting Art Committee and China Oil Painting Society.

Leng Jun offered some words of advice to the Birmingham City University graduands he will meet next week:

“I am very honoured to be an alumnus of Birmingham City University! The study of art is not the same as other professions. Confucius said “志于道、居于德、依于仁、游于艺”– “let the will be set on the path of duty. Let every attainment of what is good be firmly grasped. Let perfect virtue be emulated. Let relaxation and enjoyment be found in the arts”). The general idea is that art is the last energy or path to the soul, which is second only to morality and benevolence. It is firmly placed in front of philosophy and science.

“My understanding is that morality, benevolence and art are spiritual aspects, while all other disciplines are learned through human nature. Learning in these disciplines requires a diligent and genius mind, while studying art only requires sincerity and love. Therefore, in a certain sense, learning art is a more convenient passage to the truth. May we work together to make the future of art a prosperous one!”