Health & Wellbeing

Colors: Purple Color
Colors: Purple Color

Members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) will be hosting events throughout the UK promoting herbal medicine and its benefits. The events offered vary from guided herb walks and herbal workshops, to presentations and talks. Some members also offer free or discounted services and products throughout this week.

Many plants generally considered to be weeds actually have health benefits. By attending an organised herb walk a member of NIMH will share this knowledge, pointing out which plants have these benefits, how to identify them, teach people about how herbalists use them and for what health conditions, plus give suggestions on how to safely use some of these plants at home. Herbal workshops demonstrate methods on how to make remedies at home for family and friends, and often attendees can take home preparations that they have made. These events are fun as well as educational, as people are often amazed at what they can do for themselves in order to help maintain good health.

Herbal Medicine Week 2018 is from the 16th to the 24th June, and for more information check out their website at https://www.herbalmedicineweek.co.uk/

National estate agents Leaders is set for a week-long fundraiser in order to support its charity partner Teenage Cancer Trust.

The property specialist’s 125 branches across the UK, as well as its head office in Worthing, will take part in special activities and events from 11th June to raise money for the good cause.

Among the fundraising efforts due to take place are cake sales, raffles, sponsored walks, competitions, games and long-distance runs.

Allison Thompson, managing director (lettings) at Leaders, says: “We are all looking forward to our fundraising week for Teenage Cancer Trust, during which we hope to raise the majority of our £50,000 target for the year.

“Just as they have in previous years, I know our colleagues from across the country will come together to tackle a range of fantastic challenges and raise plenty of money in a variety of innovative and imaginative ways.

“Teenage Cancer Trust supports thousands of people aged between 13 and 24 who are diagnosed with cancer. We have seen its invaluable work first hand and are committed to showing as much support as possible.”

Sian Cooper, Teenage Cancer Trust’s regional fundraiser, says: “We can’t wait to see how Leaders is going to be raising money for young people with cancer over the course of their fundraising week. Everyone at Leaders has been so dedicated to helping us reach every young person with cancer and we can’t thank them enough.”

Leaders named Teenage Cancer Trust as its new charity partner in January 2018 and is aiming to raise £50,000 on its behalf this year. The charity runs 28 specialist units in the UK designed to care for young people living with cancer, as well as their loved ones.

Health City Cayman Islands and its founder, Dr. Devi Shetty, won a total of three prestigious awards at America's largest health care conference meeting in the U.S. capitol last month.
A panel of international medical care luminaries, assembled by the World Health Care Congress at the 2018 Health Value Awards, presented two of its major honors to Dr. Devi Shetty, founder of Health City Cayman Islands and chairman of Narayana Health. A third award was given to Health City Cayman Islands itself.
Dr. Shetty, an internationally recognized cardiac surgeon and entrepreneur, won a gold prize in the Lifetime Achievement awards for Clinical Care, which Health City Clinical Director Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil said was recognition of providing the highest quality of care based on U.S. parameters while still reducing the cost.
"Dr. Shetty wanted to prove he can do it in the Cayman Islands (not the least expensive place by any means in the Caribbean to do business) through efficiencies, through having the right model," said Dr. Binoy, as he is known. He also noted that Health City's pricing right now is about one-third the pricing that one would find at a similar institution in the United States.
Dr. Shetty won a second gold Lifetime Achievement award for his outstanding Public Leadership. "As Dr. Shetty often states, 'a solution that isn't affordable isn't a solution' and we at Health City are fulfilling his vision by offering super-specialty tertiary care at affordable prices - thereby creating greater access to health care for many more people from the region and beyond," Dr. Binoy said.
The third prize received by the Health City Cayman Islands team was the silver award in the Direct Care Providers category. Health City Director of Business Development Shomari Scott said: "It's always good to have a body as esteemed as the World Congress actually state that, 'yes, Health City, not only are you doing great work, but we're going to give you an award just to show our appreciation of what you're doing in the health care space'." He added that Health City was being considered a "disrupter" in the medical field, demonstrating that the highest quality outcomes can be provided at affordable prices.
Health City, a Joint Commission International-accredited tertiary care hospital in Grand Cayman, was one of 57 finalists selected from the hundreds vying for a variety of awards in several categories.
The 2018 Health Value Awards ceremony took place at Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, April 29 as part of the 15th Annual World Health Care Congress.
More than 350 nominees competed in the awards to be the best and brightest applications to improve health outcomes, reduce costs and implement innovative health industry practices.
Health City Cayman Islands was represented at the annual World Health Care Congress and the 2018 Health Value Awards by Clinical Director Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, Director of Business Development Shomari Scott, USA Sales Specialist Mary Jones and board member Gene Thompson.
The awards - silver, gold and the lead diamond prizes - are sponsored by World Congress, the Validation Institute and the Health Rosetta Institute.

Staffordshire residents Ian Davies and Katie Berger have been awarded the ‘inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future’ award at this year’s Advancing Healthcare Awards (AHA).

Ian is a lecturer in biomedical science at Staffordshire University. Katie is a biomedical scientist at the University Hospitals of North Midlands. Both are members of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Ian and Katie received the IBMS-sponsored AHAward for ‘inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future’. They were awarded for their project, ‘Sustainable workforce planning through healthcare science degree apprenticeships’.

This curriculum established a part-time training route that would enable support staff to train as biomedical scientists, linked to the new degree apprenticeship standards.

Ian explained, “Utilising the Trust apprenticeship levy to fund the degree means that this now provided a financially sustainable way for Trusts to develop their own staff and offer an alternative route into degree education which enhances social mobility and widens participation in health education – it is targeted at staff who may have lacked the formal qualification or the opportunity to access university education in the traditional ‘post school’ format.

For us, the value is also the wider connection that this demonstrates between the university and NHS Trusts; by identifying employer need and then working with Trust colleagues to design a programme that is fit for purpose is exactly what our Connected University philosophy is all about.”

Katie said, “I am extremely honoured to have received this award on behalf of the University Hospitals of North Midlands in conjunction with Ian Davies from Staffordshire University. We have worked closely together to establish an innovative healthcare science degree to enable the best medical laboratory assistants and associate practitioners to study within their workplace to become biomedical scientists through an apprenticeship scheme.

To be acknowledged with this award for inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future, sponsored by the IBMS, is fantastic. I am absolutely over the moon, working with Staffordshire University was fantastic and now to be recognised formally is a wonderful feeling.

Personally, I am genuinely humbled. It was a fantastic day anyway and hearing the stories of other scientists and what amazing things are achieved by us every day was awe inspiring. We now have a new way to study for the next generation of scientists.”

IBMS President Alison Geddis said, “I am delighted Ian and Katie have won this award. I am thrilled they were recognised for such an important innovation, which will allow for many more promising biomedical science staff to enter the profession.”

Waitrose has unveiled new research into attitudes towards health and wellbeing revealing that many of us equate healthiness with an overall sense of wellbeing and happiness rather than simply dieting or exercise.

The research comes as the supermarket launches a number of new health initiatives to help customers. This includes a supermarket first - the announcement of 100 Healthy Eating Specialists who will direct customers who ask towards healthier choices on the shop floor (more details below).

Motivations to become healthier: 'tombola Birthdays' and 'unhealthy selfies'

In research among 2000 people, half admitted that they didn't feel on top of their health; with a third saying they didn't have enough time to focus on their health.

It also reveals that the most common motivator for getting healthy is seeing an unflattering photo of oneself or no longer fitting into an item of clothing. And a so-called 'tombola Birthday', one ending in a zero or five, is a big driver to getting healthy, as is a special event such as a wedding.

Social media plays a part in our attitude towards health with almost 1 in 10 of those surveyed saying that seeing friends online being healthy motivated them to get started. For 18-24 year olds, social media's influence was higher, with almost a fifth of those surveyed saying it would kick start a new approach to health.

Parental Pressures The research also looked at the challenges facing parents which can be the point in life where their health gradually, and often imperceptibly, drifts.

For many parents there's the drive to get healthy for their children's sake, but more than half find the pressures of juggling family life an obstacle to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Half of parents (49%) admitted their health had drifted since having children but they plan to focus on it when the kids are older. Yet 40% of parents say their children can actually help them to get healthier, for example by learning about health in school and pestering the family to make positive changes.

Aim small Many have found the key to feeling healthy is cutting themselves a bit of slack by aiming small; enjoying good food and wine in moderation; spending time outdoors; or time with those they love.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of those currently feeling in good control of their health say they feel more positive when taking a long term approach to creating healthy habits.

Health and nutrition is a rapidly growing market in the UK. To help customers make healthier choices, Waitrose is announcing a number of new initiatives to help shoppers make small but achievable changes.

Waitrose Health Initiatives:

  • Waitrose has announced the launch of Healthy Eating Specialists. In a retail first, these shop floor specialists will direct customers towards healthier choices. 11 will be in place by May and 100 by the end of the year.
  • Waitrose is moving to the next stage of its trial for personal nutrition consultations, and for the first time, testing outside of London, at its Basingstoke shop.
  • From this month, the supermarket will launch its new magazine 'Waitrose Health'. Edited by Peta Bee, the magazine will appeal to healthy eaters who want new ideas, but also to people who aspire to a healthier lifestyle.
  • Waitrose has now put its new 'Good Health' mark on more than 1600 lines  to make it easier for customers to make healthier choices. A third of those surveyed said highlighting healthy options would help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • The supermarket is launching its new 'Beautifully Simple' campaign this week using a series of recipes to inspire customers to cook everyday meals with a small number of fresh ingredients.
  • Waitrose will also be increasing health information available to customers. This  includes tips and inspiration in its publications and online; plus advice and classes from experts, including Shona Vertue and Professor Greg Whyte.
  • Further new health initiatives will be launched by Waitrose over the next few months.
Moira Howie, Nutrition & Health Manager, Waitrose, said:  "Many shoppers have the best intentions to be healthier but busy lives get in the way. We know that small steps, top tips and nuggets of good advice can help them get started and importantly stay on track. Research shows that changes do not have to be radical to have a positive effect and can have a lasting impact on health.”

As Health City Cayman Islands celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, hospital doctors, management and staff at the Caribbean tertiary care hospital are looking back at a busy 12 months of life-saving emergency procedures, groundbreaking regional firsts, and increased visits by international patients.
The Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospital, positioned as a model for global health care transformation by its founder Dr. Devi Shetty, has recorded more than 55,000 patient visits since opening its doors in April 2014.
During its fourth year of operations, the list of Health City's innovations and critical high-level care services grew at a rapid pace. In 2017, the hospital became the Caribbean's only regional center for an advanced form of life support called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO.) The ECMO system acts as an artificial heart or pair of lungs during therapy, allowing the patient's organs to rest while natural healing of the affected area takes place. Health City's ECMO capabilities saved the lives of several local and international patients during the year, and have become an integral aspect of the hospital's critical care facilities.
Several technically difficult and rarely performed cardiothoracic surgeries were conducted, including a pulmonary thrombo endarterectomy to correct chronic high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries of a senior citizen, and a pulmonary endarterectomy to remove blood clots in the lungs of a young father. Both dramatic surgeries were performed by Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, Clinical Director and Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon at Health City.
Caymanian Zoe Bodden, age 80, had difficulty breathing and couldn't walk, but after her surgery she was back to fighting form. "Dr. Binoy saved my life. After the surgery he would come to visit me at least four times a day, and then shortly after I got out of hospital, he went on vacation to India and every day he would text Minerva [my nurse] and ask her how I was doing," she said.
Thirty-three-year-old Bjorn Ebanks' lungs were clogged with blood clots, and his heart arrested twice before being put on ECMO and undergoing surgery. He was grateful to be alive after his ordeal, and credited Dr. Binoy, as he is affectionately known, with saving his life. "Dr. Binoy is one of the best I would say. Most doctors would probably have given up on me. I'm grateful that I am here and I can have another chance to see my family," the young Caymanian said.
Further advances were seen in the areas of cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. New services and procedures were introduced, the first being cryoablation to treat atrial fibrillation. Health City's Chief Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist Dr. Ravi Kishore was the first in the Caribbean to perform the procedure, which introduces a deflated cryoballoon into the heart. "Through this balloon we can introduce a liquid, which cools and dilates the balloon, and then freezes whichever structure it is put into," explained Dr. Kishore.
 
Jamaica-based English patient Peter Tuckey was thrilled with the result: "It's an excellent facility and I'm so happy that it's close to Jamaica ... I'll be back to exercising, back to golf ... so everything's on the up."
 
Later in the year, Health City became the only facility in the Americas to offer Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) device implantation for the treatment of heart failure. Currently offered in the U.S. on a clinical trial basis only, CCM does not affect the cardiac rhythm directly. Rather, the aim is to enhance the heart's natural contraction sustainably over long periods of time. Both local and international patients successfully received CCM devices during the year.
Dr. Kishore explained: "What we are proud of is, this is the first time we have introduced this device in the entire Caribbean, and even in the U.S. it's an investigational device so it's not routinely implanted in patients in the U.S. and none has been implanted in Central America and South America. In that sense, I think we have introduced yet another novel therapy in the region."
The first patient to receive a CCM device at Health City was also pleased with the outcome.
Caymanian Howard Vernon said: "Dr. Ravi is very easy to understand, he gets to the point and he believes in showing you what can be done. I would definitely recommend Health City to anyone, anytime."
In the neurosciences, the first awake craniotomy in the English-speaking Caribbean was performed at Health City in 2017. In an awake craniotomy, the skull is opened and brain surgery is performed while the patient is conscious. In this case, there was a tumor in a crucial part of the patient's brain, which controls fine motor movements. The surgeons needed to be able to speak with the patient to ensure the removal of the tumor did not damage his speech and hand movements. This was especially important as the patient is a watchmaker by profession. He fully recovered within three months.
The patient, a resident of the Cayman Islands, was referred by his primary care physician to Dr. Romnesh de Souza, Interventional Neurologist at Health City Cayman Islands, on suspicion of a stroke. Dr. de Souza explained that the patient's occupation involved working with fine instruments requiring a great degree of precision and dexterity. This therefore presented a challenge to the neurosurgical team, led by neuro surgeon Dr. Susheel Wadhwa, who was keen not to damage surrounding parts of the brain that control motor skills and other functions, such as language, during the surgery.
"This is the first operation of this nature at Health City. But fortunately for us, we had the entire team. Right from the technicians to the nurses to the anesthetists to the surgical team, it was the same team which was performing these surgeries in India and so the surgery could be carried out smoothly," Dr. Wadhwa said.
Another big development in the hospital's fourth year was in the area of orthopedics, with the introduction of limb lengthening surgery. Health City is the first hospital in the region to use a minimally invasive technique utilizing a device known as a "magnetic nail." The hospital's first limb lengthening case was a complicated one, involving a 10-year-old boy from the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Chief Orthopedic Surgeon Alwin Almeida explained the benefits of the new technique and device being used by Health City in its limb lengthening procedures. "The concept of limb lengthening means we can actually make people taller by expanding their bones, especially those of the lower limbs. One of the biggest advantages of limb lengthening using the precise nail is that a painful and difficult procedure has been simplified and been made painless, not to mention minimally invasive," he said.
Overall, these advances and firsts were part of a busy year, which saw increasing numbers of air ambulances coming to Health City from all over the region. The various medical and surgical teams saw a steady flow of patients coming from new markets in Latin America and the English-speaking Caribbean.
The ongoing growth was also accompanied by ownership changes. The Narayana Health Group, one of India's largest private health care organizations and founded by Dr. Devi Shetty, purchased the majority share in Health City Cayman Islands from the U.S.-based Ascension. The purchase, finalized in January 2018, makes the hospital wholly owned by Narayana Health, and underscores the confidence Dr. Shetty has in Health City's model.
Speaking at the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong in March, Dr. Shetty lauded Health City as an example for the rest of the world to follow. "We built Health City with the idea of transforming health care of the Caribbean region and the Western Hemisphere - and perhaps the rest of the world. We have a phenomenal opportunity to use technology and make health care safer, (accessible and affordable) for the patient," he said.
Closer to home, Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil underscored the hospital's ethos as the fourth anniversary milestone was reached. "Health City Cayman Islands continues to follow our mission to transform the delivery of health care in the Caribbean and beyond. We have seen our patient numbers from several international markets rise over the past year, adding to the growth seen in prior years. As we continue to add to the range of specialties that we offer and remain on the forefront of medical innovation, we always maintain our patient-centric focus on providing high quality, compassionate and affordable care. We believe this is demonstrated by the glowing testimonials of our patients, who entrust their health to us. We are dedicated to honoring their trust, and grateful for their faith and confidence in us," he stated.

Cradling new-born baby O’Shea, jewellery maker Michael Willis cherished that first time he met his grandson.

Granddad, Michael, who suffers from sarcoidosis, a rare lung condition, was told last year by doctors at City Hospital, Birmingham, he had six months to live – unless he underwent a double lung transplant.

Desperate to save him, consultant respiratory physician Dr Arvind Rajasekaran contacted the Royal Papworth Hospital, in Cambridge, hoping they would assist in finding a donor - and carrying out the necessary operation.

Within two months a suitable donor was found and Michael, age 60, underwent the operation - in June last year.

“I’m extremely grateful to the person who donated their lungs to me,” he recalls. “Like my wife said, someone had to go so I can be here. It was a miracle for me and my family.”

After being diagnosed, he had to use a non-invasive ventilator machine to keep him breathing as he slept. The medical team at City Hospital tried everything to help him, but the last straw was when he collapsed at home in his bathroom. He had developed pneumonia.

Dr Rajasekaran added: “We knew that Michael’s lungs couldn’t cope with the condition anymore, and that he desperately needed a double lung transplant.

Fortunately we were able to find a match for him and he had the surgery in June. Without the transplant Mr. Williams could have died within six months. We were so pleased that his operation was a success and he is recovering remarkably well.

“I feel that I have been given a second chance,” Michael said. “I need to make the most of it. Without the transplant, I would not have been able to see my great grandson.

Before I had this condition, I was very healthy and I worked full time - until I started showing symptoms of Scardoidosis. I struggled to move from one room to another, and I wasn’t able to breathe very well. I felt exhausted taking just small steps. I even needed to use an electronic wheelchair to go to the toilet.”

Dr Rajasekaran said: “It was a great collaboration between the two hospitals, and we hope to continue working with them more in the future.

He can now walk into my clinic and it really makes it all worthwhile to see how the operation has transformed his health.  Since then he has been receiving specialist treatment at home from our community respiratory service.”

“I am a very fortunate person,” granddad Michael said. “I know it’s not always easy to find a match, especially for people from the African Caribbean community like myself. I hope that my story will inspire more people to consider organ donation because it saves lives.”

He went on: “It was an amazing moment meeting baby O’Shea - and one I thought would never happen.

I’m cherishing every moment that I am able to spend with my family.”

A new awards programme for NHS, public health and social care organisations was launched on Wednesday 18 April, supported by the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England.

The Sustainable Health and Care Awards will highlight and celebrate the outstanding sustainable practices taking place which are making real benefits for health and the environment such as cutting carbon, air pollution and promoting green space.

There are a total of 12 awards, ranging from water and energy, building design efficiency, successful staff engagement, and carbon reduction.

The awards are based on the 10 themes of the Sustainable Development Unit’s Sustainable Development Assessment Tool which are closely aligned to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as well as also two awards to celebrate and recognise inspirational individuals.

The awards are free to enter and are open for entry by any public sector health and care organisations in England. The closing date for entries, which need to be submitted on the Sustainable Health and Care website, is 20 July 2018.

The awards ceremony will take place following the Sustainable Health and Care conference and exhibition in November 2018.

All organisations who are shortlisted for an award will receive two complimentary places to the awards dinner and ceremony, as well as access to the conference and exhibition.

Submissions will be assessed by the level of impact on four areas: governance and policy, corporate impact, procurement and supply chain, and working with staff, patients, and communities. The submissions will be assessed by a panel of judges from across the health, environment and private sectors.

Health Minister Stephen Barclay said: “The NHS is a world-leading organisation in many areas and I am keen to ensure that sustainability is one of them. Given the NHS employs 1.5 million people, it has the potential to play a leading role in contributing to a sustainable future.

“That is why I’m delighted to support the Sustainable Health and Care Awards, celebrating the trusts and care providers which are not only delivering excellent services but innovating ways to cut carbon, waste and pollution. In its 70th year, these pioneers are paving the way for a greener and more sustainable NHS for future generations.”

Jerome Baddley, acting director of NHS England’s Sustainable Development Unit, said: “The Sustainable Health and Care campaign is not just for the NHS. It’s for the entire health and care system.

“We want to encourage, support and celebrate action from local authorities and social care providers so the system can come together and further reduce its impact on the environment and deliver benefits for patients, staff and communities.”

Danny Mortimer, the chief executive of NHS Employers, said: “We want the NHS to thrive for another 70 years, and in order for that to happen, sustainability is more important than ever.

“These awards are a great opportunity for organisations to be recognised for all the hard work they do towards creating a greener, more sustainable health and care system.”

The Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) is funded by and accountable to NHS England and Public Health England to work across the NHS, public health and social care system.

The SDU help organisations across health and care embed and promote sustainable development in order to reduce emissions and pollution, save money and improve the health of people and communities.

SEARCH engines like Google and Bing are more likely than any other source of information to provoke anxiety during pregnancy, according to new research.

A survey of 300 UK mums who have given birth in the past five years published in the UK Maternity Reportby the UK’s leading private midwifery services provider, Private Midwives, revealed that search engines were more likely than any other source to provide information which causes further worry and anxiety.

The news comes following midwife, lecturer and advisor to BBC’s Call the Midwife, Terri Coates, revealed that the internet was stopping women from turning to their professional midwife for advice.

As many as 41% reported this was the case, while almost the same number (38%) said they had read information about pregnancy in online forums such as groups and chat boards which had caused them concern.

Despite this, 89% admitted that they had consulted the internet for non-emergency health advice or information about their pregnancy, and outside of midwife appointments, mums-to-be are more likely (53%) to turn to the internet for non-emergency advice or information than anyone or anything else.

Many will do this regularly throughout their pregnancy - more than 1 in 10 (13%) searched for advice online on a daily basis, while more than 1 in 4 (27%) did so every few days.

Linda Bryceland, head of midwifery at Private Midwives, said: “Traditionally during pregnancy, women often found themselves receiving huge amounts of conflicting information – everything from well-meaning loved ones, to media and even strangers in the supermarket. But the internet has opened up a whole range of new sources of information, which in many cases may not be medically qualified and given without context or taking into consideration women’s individual circumstances and medical backgrounds. What’s more, this is available at the touch of the button, on a whim - so it is not surprising that women are finding themselves logging off and feeling more worried than they were to begin with.

“If women have concerns or questions about their pregnancy, the best thing to do is to resist the temptation to quickly search for more information or the answer online, and instead speak to a medical professional – whether that’s their midwife, the non-emergency NHS 111 phone line or their GP, who can provide professional, clinical information and guidance, which takes into account their medical history and individual circumstances.”

According to the survey, as many as 90% of UK women who gave birth in the past five years experienced anxiety and worry during their pregnancy.

A nursing lecturer at Birmingham City University is leading a medical programme in Zambia that is helping to set up a framework for developing and qualifying nursing personnel in the Southern African country.

Major Chris Cater teaches in the University’s Defence School of Healthcare Education, where he heads up a team responsible for training the British Armed Forces’ future nurses. Prior to this he worked in the Army as a nurse, having completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and other deployments to the Middle East as part of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps.

In 2015 Major Carter answered an advertisement in a medical journal for volunteers to set up a critical nursing care program in Zambia; a stable, landlocked, low income country with 60 per cent of the population living in rural communities. Yet whilst it is poor, Zambia is training its doctors and anaesthetists, helped by international investment in terms of money and resources.

Initially the task facing Chris and the three other volunteers was to visit Zambia’s main hospital and help them to identify what resources were needed, and to advance a framework for developing their nursing staff.

Major Chris Carter, Nursing Lecturer, Defence School of Healthcare Education, Birmingham City University, said:

“The doctors there realised that their project to develop healthcare was not going to reach its full potential unless investment was also being made in nursing staff. The doctors were being trained in current practice, applied in the context of a developing country, dealing with diseases totally different to what we see in the UK, but which are common there. However, without the nurses who do the majority of the care, the project wouldn’t work.”

“What transpired was that, despite what the advert said, in fact there was no project, no funding – nothing.”

Therefore, Major Cater convinced The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), a UK NGO, to fund him for a two week needs assessment. Since then he has been to Zambia seven times, staying for periods of two to four weeks. In 2016, for example, he worked with the Zambian Ministry of Health, travelling almost 5,000km and visiting 16 public hospitals as he gathered a snapshot of the challenges facing nurses and critical care in the Commonwealth country.

Chris and the team then wrote a report for the Ministry of Health, recommending what they can could do as a project group to help build the country’s capacity in nursing capability, including a graduate programme. As a result, Chris attracted funding from the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the EU and Birmingham City University, which also provides all the professional back office function and governance needed to keep such a project running.

From nothing, Chris has built up the team which has grown from just four enthusiasts into a truly international collaboration. Working closely locally with the Lusaka College of Nursing, the Zambia Union of Nurses Organization (ZUNO), the Ministry of Health and the General Nursing Council of Zambia, Chris’ work is delivered in accordance with the country’s own priorities in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Such has been the success of the project, 900 healthcare workers have been trained since 2015, that the Army is keen to explore the benefits for the UK Armed Forces. Last year Chris took six students from the Defence School of Healthcare Education – one from the Navy, the rest from the Army – to Zambia as part of their training.

Not only did Birmingham City University students get to see the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and malaria – which while rare in the UK, in their careers they will have to know about – perhaps more importantly they gain valuable experience in the pressures of practicing in a resource-limited environment.

Major Chris Carter added: “We watched a doctor performing a procedure and I talked the students through it. I told them to watch how he and the nurses were working – only opening equipment when they needed it, so they didn’t waste anything – because it’s too precious.

“I challenge them; imagine you are on board a ship, or in the field – you’re not going to have an infinite supply of gloves, oxygen, swabs. Plus, when you’ve got 10 patients on a ward, and there’s only three of you, there’s no agency you can call, no extra staff, it’s just you.”

Chris uses the experience to get the students thinking in a different way. A way which might just make a difference when on the battlefield.

He said: “I get them to think about what they would do in that situation. Which is your sickest patient at the moment? Why do you think that? I get them to think through some of the clinical decisions they would never face in the NHS. ‘You’ve only got 10 ventilators, but you’ve got 11 patients who need it – what are you going to do?’”

Tesco's ground-breaking 'Free Fruit for Kids' initiative has proved a real hit with children and parents, with over 50 million pieces of free fruit given to children since the programme launched almost two years ago.

The scheme was the brainchild of Maria Simpson, a Tesco colleague from Brigg Superstore in Lincolnshire, who suggested giving free fruit to parents for their children to eat during shopping trips as an alternative to sweets.

The idea was taken up by the store and was so well received by customers that Tesco decided to launch it nationwide, with stands now in 800 stores across the UK. Research last year by Tesco and mumsnet highlighted the positive effect the initiative has had, with a third of parents saying their children have eaten more fruit thanks to the scheme. Three quarters of parents said that the initiative has made their shopping trip easier.

As well as giving away 50 million pieces of fruit, Tesco can also reveal the nation's children are opting for bananas as their preferred free healthy snack. Over 21 million bananas have been snapped up by kids while their parents are shopping, followed by 19 million apples and 10 million oranges.

The initiative is just one part of Tesco's drive to help make it easier for colleagues and customers to eat more healthily through its Little Helps Plan. Earlier this week, the retailer confirmed that all own brand soft drinks fall below the government's new sugar levy, after a decade of work with its suppliers to reformulate and reduce sugar content in soft drinks. Tesco achieved this feat 17 months before the levy comes into effect.

Maria Simpson, Customer Assistant at Brigg Superstore, said: “Over 50 million, wow! This means that children across the UK have had a healthy and free piece of fruit from Tesco over 50 million times! It's incredibly humbling for me to know that children are benefiting from this. They love it and the parents love it too.”

Alessandra Bellini, Tesco's Chief Customer Officer, said: “I'm incredibly proud that a simple idea from one of our colleagues has gone on to have such a big impact. 50 million pieces of free fruit in two years will go a long way towards creating healthy habits that will stay with children as they grow up.”

Tam Fry, Chair of the National Obesity Forum, added: “Only 16% of children are eating the recommended five-a-day and this is why Tesco's Free Fruit for Kids is so important. Getting more kids to enjoy healthy food takes time and I commend Tesco for their long-term commitment on this and encourage them to continue to keep it going to help many more kids eat their five-a-day.”

Research from Diabetes UK has found that one in six (16.67 per cent) people with diabetes still at work, feel that they’ve been discriminated against by their employer because of their condition.

The survey also found that more than one third (39 per cent) of respondents said that living with diabetes had caused them difficulty at work, while 5 per cent had not told their employer that they have the condition. Around a quarter said that they would like time off work for diabetes-related appointments (23 per cent) and flexibility (26 per cent) to take regular breaks for testing their blood sugar or to take medication.

Diabetes UK hopes that the survey will start a conversation about long-term health conditions in the workplace. Managing diabetes can involve taking medication – including injecting insulin at the right time – and for some people testing blood glucose levels multiple times a day.

To prevent the onset of serious complications there are vital checks that everyone with diabetes should be getting which can require time off work. Employers can only help if they are aware that someone has diabetes and what it means both day-to-day and in the long run.

Peter Shorrick, Midlands Regional Head at Diabetes UK, said: “Thousands of people across the UK have spoken out about how a lack of understanding from their employers can make working with diabetes not just exhausting and stressful, but also potentially life-threatening. We heard from people who had to give up their jobs in order to manage their condition safely.

“Diabetes is one of the largest health crises of our time affecting more than 2.2 million people of working age in the UK. Missing essential health checks or not taking medication on time can lead to devastating complications, such as amputations, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and even early death.

“Discrimination and difficulties come about because employers lack knowledge about diabetes and do not understand its impact. We need to talk more about the condition and the many ways it affects people’s lives in order to persuade workplaces to offer greater understanding and flexibility. Everyone deserves to work in an environment where they can ask for the support they need.”

Often people with diabetes do not think of themselves as having a disability, but in many cases they will be covered by the definition of disability in the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act defines a disability as a ‘physical or mental impairment that has a substantial long-term negative effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’ When asking whether the condition fits the definition it is the effect of untreated diabetes and the impact on each individual that should be considered, particularly if they have developed complications.

Health chiefs in Wolverhampton have welcomed the introduction of a sugar levy on soft drinks as manufacturers will have to pay a levy on the high-sugar drinks they sell.

Around half of firms have reduced the sugar content of their products ahead of the change. Others are keeping recipes the same but increasing the price of drinks or cutting the size of bottles.

Public Health England says the levy will help reduce levels of obesity, as well as improving the oral health of children, with figures released this week showing that every 10 minutes a child in England has a tooth removed which has become rotten due to preventable decay.

John Denley, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Director of Public Health, said: "We have fundamental concerns about childhood obesity in Wolverhampton, with more than a quarter of our 10-year-olds classed as obese, compared to just under a fifth nationally.

“Having high sugar levels in their diet is a major cause of this – and it is also impacting on their dental health too.

"The introduction of this sugar levy is a national step change that will make a real difference, and is wholly consistent with our ongoing work to reduce obesity levels in Wolverhampton - we hope it will encourage consumers to choose low sugar alternatives wherever possible.”

From today, drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml will face a levy of 18p per litre. Those with more than 8g per 100ml will face a higher rate, 24p per litre.

Pure fruit juices are exempt as they do not carry added sugar, while drinks with a high milk content are also exempt due to their calcium content.

The levy is being applied to manufacturers – whether they pass it on to consumers or not is up to them. Money raised through the levy will be reinvested in school sports and breakfast clubs.

Mr Denley added: “This is about helping people to make healthier choices and, by investing the proceeds in school sports and breakfast clubs, it will help provide further opportunities for children to get the nutrition and exercise that they need to help them to learn.”

Public Health England recommends the maximum daily sugar intake for four to six-year-olds should be no more than five cubes per day, for seven to 10-year-olds the limit is six cubes and for children aged 11 years and over it is seven cubes. It says a typical 500ml energy drink can contain as many as 13 cubes of sugar, while a 330ml can of cola has around nine.

A woman who found solace in running after suffering a mental health crisis is preparing to tackle two marathons to raise money for the charity MIND.

Lynsey Kelly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe anxiety after the vehicle she was travelling in was involved in a fatal road accident seven years ago – and at her lowest point she even tried to take her own life.

Now, thanks to the support of mental health professionals and family and friends, she has made a full recovery – and is preparing to tackle the London Marathon on Sunday 22 April and the Chicago Marathon on Sunday 7 October to raise money for MIND, the mental health charity.

In 2011, not long after her father had passed away, Lynsey travelled to Tanzania to help raise money for charity. Sadly, during the trip the jeep her and five other companions were travelling in crashed, resulting in serious injuries and one fatality.

Lynsey, a Community Safety Manager with the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership, said: “When I returned to the UK I found it difficult to understand what had happened – and why I had survived when someone else didn't.

“I felt guilty and questioned myself constantly. I found my life challenging and began to struggle, but perhaps didn't realise this at the time.

“I became very insular and stopped socialising. I was quiet and withdrawn, my marriage broke down, I didn't believe that I could be a wife any longer and I stopped working. My only escape was running... running and more running.

“After several months of feeling like this I tried to take my own life, but luckily my mum found me and saved me. She and my ex-husband stubbornly refused to let me be discharged from hospital until I had been seen by its crisis team so that I could get the support I needed, and I am so glad they did.

“I was referred to a psychiatrist for support and diagnosed with PTSD and severe anxiety. I then began to piece my life back together and after two years of counselling and medication, I can stand proud of how far I have come and can say that I am 'normal' again – all be it a changed normal. I can now manage my anxieties and I see life very differently, but I'm happy once more.”

The 39-year-old from Stafford added: “The sad thing about what happened to me was that no one apart from my close family noticed or understood - because there wasn't anything physically and visibly wrong with me people assumed I was fine, and the pressure it put on those people who looked after me and supported me was completely under-estimated.

“Looking after a loved one with mental health issues is an extremely challenging job, and can impact on their life almost as much as the person they are caring for.

“Mental health needs to be better understood, accepted and talked about, and for charities to do this they need funding – and that is why I am aimed to raise at least £3,000 for MIND by taking part in these two marathons.”

TV doctor Dr Christian Jessen has launched an awareness and education campaign taking place in Birmingham and other UK cities to encourage the city’s smokers to quit by switching to vaping. In Birmingham, 14% of the population are smokers, approximately 2% below the average in the UK.

Organised by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the VApril campaign, which is being rolled out across cities throughout the UK during April, follows evidence recently published by Public Health England which highlights that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking and that there are substantial health benefits from completely switching from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

Smokers are being encouraged to take the VApril challenge by dropping into vaping masterclasses, being provided by specialist vaping stores in the city during April.  Participants will receive a free guide – Vape to Break the Smoking Habit - to help them transition from smoking to vaping and give them the best chance of a successful quit.

Dr Christian Jessen said: “According to a recent report by Public Health England (PHE), e-cigarettes may be contributing to at least 20,000 successful new quits per year - with the industry estimating this figure to be much higher. But as a doctor it's disappointing to hear that an estimated 40% of smokers still haven’t even tried vaping.

“I’m delighted to be joining forces with the UK Vaping Industry Association to launch VApril in the city. VApril is all about helping more smokers to make a successful and permanent switchover. I personally believe vaping has overwhelming potential to help smokers break their habit, and this is important because stopping smoking is the single most significant step that people can make to improve their health. We hope that smokers in the city will put down their cigarettes for a month, take the VApril Challenge and themselves the best chance of quitting smoking for good.”

John Dunne, a director of the UK Vaping Industry Association, added: “There is a real need for greater awareness of vaping amongst the millions of smokers still in the UK and getting more of them to consider vaping. Data shows only just 1 in 10 people understand the relative risk of vaping compared to smoking. This is despite consensus amongst high profile and respected healthcare organisations, that vaping is a small fraction of the risk posed by smoking and represents one of the best ways to quit.

“It is estimated that there are currently some 3m vapers in the UK, with almost half of these having quit smoking. VApril aims to encourage the 14% of population in Birmingham who smoke, to think about switching.”

There is a dedicated VApril website – www.vapril.org – where Birmingham’s smokers can find out more information about taking the VApril challenge, hear about vapers’ experiences, download a special guide for first time vapers and access a range of frequently asked questions about vaping.

New figures show that one in six (16%) people with a deadly inherited heart condition are only diagnosed after having a cardiac arrest, whilst a fifth (18%) of people are diagnosed after a sudden death in the family. The figures have been released by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as part of their In Your Genes campaign, which aims to raise awareness of inherited heart conditions and highlight the urgent need for better diagnosis these conditions, so people can be identified before a tragedy or life-threatening cardiac arrest.

The BHF estimates that around 54,000 people in the West Midlands have a faulty gene which puts them at an unusually high risk of developing heart disease or dying suddenly at a young age [2]. Each child of someone with an inherited heart condition has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the same faulty gene. But the majority of people remain undiagnosed. In the UK it is estimated that at least 12 young people (aged under 35) die every week from an undiagnosed heart condition.

The BHF survey of almost 200 people with inherited heart conditions from across the UK also found that nearly half of people (48%) were not diagnosed with their inherited heart condition until they were over the age of 40. The heart research charity is urging people to speak to their family about any early sudden deaths or premature heart disease in the family, which might have been caused by an inherited heart condition.

We now know about many of the genes which cause inherited heart conditions, thanks in-part to research funded by the BHF. However more research is urgently needed to better detect and treat these conditions to stop the devastation brought to loved ones, who could also be at risk themselves. Once someone has been diagnosed with an inherited heart condition, genetic testing should be carried out on first-degree relatives – a process called cascade testing. Genetic testing on family members can identify individuals who carry the faulty gene and steps can be taken to monitor individuals and reduce the risk of sudden death, such as surgery, medication or lifestyle changes.

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:

“It is extremely important that family members are offered genetic testing when there’s a history of sudden death or premature heart disease in a family. Once diagnosed, many of these conditions are manageable with medication or ICDs, and can prevent needless deaths.

“All too often, people aren’t familiar with their family history, or they aren’t aware that a sudden death might be linked to an underlying heart condition.

“We need to improve awareness of these conditions, and ensure that people have equal access to cascade genetic testing across the UK. If you have a family history of unexplained sudden deaths in your family, please speak to your GP or call our Genetic Information Service on 0300 456 8383.”

Twelve year old Owen Steatham, from Birmingham, was just nine when he collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest on his way home from school. Thankfully, paramedics were at the scene quickly and managed to save his life using a defibrillator. In hospital tests revealed that Owen was living with the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and was fitted with an ICD. As HCM is an inherited heart condition, the rest of Owen’s family have now been tested and it was revealed that his Dad and younger brother Riley (aged 7) are carrying the faulty gene. They are now being monitored so that they can be treated if they too develop the condition.

Owen’s father, David, 37, said: “We know that genetic testing has saved lives in our family. My uncle was diagnosed with the condition after Owen’s diagnosis, which led to him having an ICD fitted. Since then his ICD has delivered a shock to his heart after it went into a dangerous rhythm. Without the diagnosis and ICD he might not be alive today. Owen has also had 10 shocks from his ICD since his diagnosis, which has literally saved his life.

“My youngest son Riley, who’s just 7, and I have also got the faulty gene. This genetic testing means we are being monitored so that we can be treated if we develop this condition. I am so incredibly grateful to the genetic testing service. No one should have to go through what Owen went through.”

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