Health & Wellbeing

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!”

Marriott International today announced that it is following the Starbucks’ lead and is planning to remove all plastic straws and drink stirrers from all of its 6500 hotels and resorts across 30 brands around the world by 2019.

“We are proud to be among the first large U.S. companies to announce that we’re eliminating plastic straws in our properties worldwide,” said Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International.

Once fully implemented in one year, the company could eliminate the use of more than 1 billion plastic straws per year and about a quarter billion stirrers. A single plastic straw – which might be used for about 15 minutes – will never fully decompose.

“Removing plastic straws is one of the simplest ways our guests can contribute to plastic reduction when staying with us – something they are increasingly concerned about and are already doing in their own homes. We are committed to operating responsibly and – with over one million guests staying with us every night – we think this is a powerful step forward to reducing our reliance on plastics,” added Mr. Sorenson.

Marriott’s initiative is the latest change the hospitality company is making to enhance the sustainability of its operations and reduce plastic consumption. Earlier this year, Marriott began replacing small toiletry bottles in the guest bathrooms of about 450 select-service hotels with larger, in-shower dispensers that distribute more product for guests to use, reducing waste. The new toiletry dispensers are expected to be in place at more than 1,500 hotels in North America by the end of this year, which would enable Marriott to eliminate more than 35 million small plastic toiletry bottles annually that typically go to landfills.

These initiatives build on Marriott International’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. Last year, the company set its most ambitious sustainability and social impact goals ever that call for reducing landfill waste by 45 percent and responsibly sourcing its top 10 product purchase categories by 2025. These goals and other sustainability programs help reduce our environmental footprint and are part of the company’s Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction initiative that addresses social, environmental, and economic issues.

Following on from recent NHS 70 celebrations, hospital laboratories across the UK are opening their doors to the public to demonstrate that biomedical science is at the heart of their healthcare.  Through the analysis of blood, tissue and other samples, biomedical science staff produce the data on which doctors, consultants and surgeons plan treatments. Handling over 150 million samples each year, laboratory staff are responsible for 70% of all diagnoses in the NHS and yet their work is largely unknown to the public.

Biomedical Science Day is organised by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the professional body for biomedical scientists, laboratory support staff and students. The IBMS encourages biomedical science staff and students on IBMS accredited degree courses to celebrate Biomedical Science Day. It aims to raise the profile of biomedical science and to show that its role is at the heart of patients’ healthcare.

In only its second year, the awareness day has gained significant popularity amongst biomedical laboratory staff across the UK, with the majority of the profession planning to open the doors to their laboratories or organise events. This year 158 hospitals, NHS trusts and universities are taking part, with more events happening in school classrooms and career fairs.

Biomedical scientists typically work behind the scenes in hospital laboratories and are involved in the different stages of a patient’s journey. Whether a blood test, tissue biopsy or swab, any sample taken in hospital or at a GP’s surgery will be analysed by a biomedical scientist.

IBMS President Alison Geddis commented, “Despite many encounters with our work throughout their lifetime, most people are unaware of the important role of biomedical science in their healthcare.

The theme for Biomedical Science Day 2018 is ‘at the heart of healthcare’. It aims to highlight how the role of our members is central to patients’ healthcare as biomedical science produces the data on which doctors, consultants and surgeons base their diagnoses to plan a patient’s treatment.”

Public Health England (PHE) launches new ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign in the West Midlands to highlight blood in pee as a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancers. The campaign will encourage everyone to ‘look before they flush’ and visit their GP without delay if they notice blood in their pee, even if it’s just once.

A new survey reveals that only 19% of adults aged 50 and over (those most at risk of these cancers) in the West Midlands region say they check the colour of their pee every time they go to the toilet.¹ If people don’t look before they flush, they may not notice blood in their pee.

A new short film featuring TV doctor, Dr Dawn Harper, is being released as part of the campaign. The film shows what to look out for as the colour of blood in your pee can vary – from very diluted, to bright red or even dark brown, like the colour of weak black tea. Blood in pee is a symptom in almost two thirds (64%) of all bladder cancers and around a fifth (18%) of kidney cancers.

Dr Lola Abudu, Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands, said: “Blood in pee is a major symptom of both bladder and kidney cancers, so we’re asking people to ‘look before you flush’ the toilet. Even if you notice blood in your pee just the once, you should tell your doctor straight away. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but bladder and kidney cancers are more treatable if they are found early. Other potential symptoms to look out for are pains that don’t go away, either in the tummy or the side below the ribs; weight loss, pain when peeing and cystitis – a urinary tract infection that can recur after treatment. If you have any of these symptoms and they persist, you should definitely visit your doctor, and don’t worry that you’re wasting their time, because going to the GP could save your life.”

Mr Adel Makar, consultant urologist with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “In the West Midlands, around 2,000 people are diagnosed annually with kidney and bladder cancer, with an average of 880 people in the region losing their lives each year. People over 50 are most at risk from these cancers, but only 19% of people over 50 in the West Midlands check their pee every time they go to the toilet. If you ‘look before you flush’ to check for blood in your pee, and talk to your GP immediately, even if you see blood just the once, then you could catch kidney or bladder cancer in the early stages when it is most treatable.”

Karen Sabin, 53, is a nursing assistant practioner and Kidney Cancer UK Ambassador from Nuneaton, she said: “My kidney cancer was caught early, after I noticed a pain in my side and slightly darkened urine, and visited my GP to discuss my symptoms. I had surgery to remove the kidney and needed no further treatment. It’s so important that everyone knows that blood in pee could be a sign of cancer, and to go and see your doctor as soon as possible, even if you only see it once. If it is cancer, early diagnosis means it’s more treatable.”

Blood might not appear every time, so it is important that people seek medical help even if they notice it just once. Worryingly, around 49% of those surveyed in the West Midlands said they would not seek medical advice if they saw blood in their pee just once,¹ however, 46% of those surveyed said they would wait and see if it happened again, potentially putting off a vital diagnosis.¹

When asked why they would not go to the GP straight away if they noticed blood in their pee, some concerning delays for seeking help were uncovered; 18% in the West Midlands say they would be worried about wasting the GP’s time and 21% would only book an appointment sooner if they had other symptoms.¹

Latest figures show that every year in England around 19,100 people are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer and sadly, around 8,000 people die from these diseases. Early diagnosis is critical; 84% of those diagnosed with kidney cancer and 77% of those diagnosed with bladder cancer at the earliest stage (stage 1) will live for at least five years.^4,5,† At a late stage (stage 4), this drops to 10% and 9% respectively.^4,5,

Dr Dawn Harper, TV Doctor and GP, said: “I’m urging people to be vigilant to changes in their body and to check their pee. I hear all too often about people who have delayed seeking medical advice if they have worrying symptoms – like blood in pee – because they are afraid of what the doctor might find or what the treatment might be. If you do notice blood in your pee, it’s probably nothing serious, but it’s always worth checking with a health professional, you won’t be wasting their time. It’s vital that people don’t put off getting help; if it is cancer, early diagnosis saves lives.”

Professor Chris Harrison, National Clinical Director (Cancer), NHS England, said: “The earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chances, which is why it is vital people understand what to look out for and when to visit the GP. This campaign has the important aim of helping raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer and encouraging people to visit their GP after seeing blood in their pee.”

The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign runs until 23 September and includes advertising on TV, radio and in washrooms and online. For further information about the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer, search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’.

With summer upon us and wedding, holiday and festival season in full swing, you need to be looking your best. Whether you’re looking for a whole new look for the sunshine or to simply revitalise your roots, the colour packages at Supercuts could give you the perfect look.

This season Supercuts have done the hard work for you by hand picking four of the hottest hair trends for you to choose from. Simply walk into a salon, choose your package A, B, C or D sit back, relax and leave with a hot new do for summer.

The new collection is inspired by the Wella professional’s SS 18 trend, Nontouring and Blonde Nontouring. This technique adds a natural glow and infuses hair with warmth while blending sharp contrast in shapes and texture. These include Graphic Bronde (A) which introduces flashes of lightened hair laced through darker shades. Focal Bronde (B) which brightens hair with cleverly placed ribbons of light around the hair line. Natural Bronde (C) for those looking to shift gears this summer and emphasise subtle and sophisticated multi tonal shades of brunette. And Boho Blonde (D) designed for longer hair top create lighter tones for a natural glow and modern blonde look

If you’re not a fan of the lighter look don’t worry - the four colour packages on offer at Supercuts are suitable for all shades and colours and the colour experts in salon will be able to advise the best package for you. All of the great value packages also include a bonding treatment, shampoo, cut and blow dry and prices start from £53.00.

However, your hair journey doesn’t end there, after care is crucial to ensure your colour continues to pop for months to come.

Kieron Foyles, Creative Director at Supercuts has given us his top tips on how to maintain healthy hair in the heat.

Keep calm and condition

Once colour is added to your hair it can become drier than usual, so a deep leave-in conditioner should be a staple part of your hair routine at least once a week. Simply apply to damp hair after leave in for 15-20 minutes, rinse out and feel fresh.

Turn down the heat

In the immediate few days and weeks after colouring your hair, try to cut down on the heat you apply, whether this be blow drying, straightening, curling or even washing with extra hot water. If it is unavoidable try to use your hair dryer on a cool setting and keep it at least 15cm away from your hair. But for the summer why not try a beach wave look and let your hair dry naturally to reduce any risk of damage.

Protect against the pool

If you are jetting off on holiday this summer, there are a few things to consider before going for a dip in the pool as chlorine can discolour and weaken your hair. For the serious swimmers out there consider using a swim cap to offer full protection, alternatively using a leave-in conditioner or coconut oil will create a barrier between the water and your hair.

Hold off on washing

The more you wash your hair the more the colour is likely to fade away, so cutting down on your washes is one of the best ways to make your look last longer. Try to limit your washes to 2-3 times a week. As well as helping the colour it will also preserve the natural oils leaving your locks feeling luscious.

Ask instore at your nearest salon for more details on the four colour packages.

Health champions from a local pharmacy visited primary school pupils to help them discover the importance of healthy eating.

Using interactive exercises, staff from Northwood Pharmacy helped Year 1 pupils at Oak Meadow Primary School learn about different food groups, the importance of getting a healthy balance and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Pupils also took part in a healthy shopping exercise at a virtual supermarket and devised their own food group plates.

The visit formed part of the Healthy Living Pharmacy programme which was launched by the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Local Pharmaceutical Committee and Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group last year.

The quality mark is given to pharmacies which proactively engage with the public to tackle health inequalities and improve wellbeing, both within the pharmacy and by reaching out to businesses, schools and community groups in their local area.

Carol Haycock, a member of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “As a Healthy Living Pharmacy, we believe that every contact counts, and teaching children to look after themselves and respect their bodies at a young age will help them to go on and live well in the future.

“Children are incredibly good at passing on learning so hopefully they will share what they have learned about healthy eating with their families.

“We hope to build on this in the future and work with other schools and community organisations in the local area.”

Oak Meadow Primary School Headteacher Simon Arnold said: “In addition to our continual focus upon developing healthy lifestyles, we plan an annual Health Week which provides us with focused time to look at how we can encourage our children to keep themselves safe and healthy.

"The children have enjoyed visits from a dental therapist, the fire brigade and health champions from Northwood Pharmacy who kindly gave up their time to deliver such meaningful workshops about healthy eating to our Year 1 pupils."

Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “It was great to see this partnership with Oak Meadow Primary School which enabled the children to identify carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables and protein.

“They know that these foods are healthy and conversely, foods with salt and sugar like chocolate and crisps are best taken in small bites. Such important understanding stands them in good stead for their future health and wellbeing.”

The initiative also supports one of the central ambitions set out in the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Vision for Public Health 2030 – to work with partners and support them to maximise the impact of everything they do to transform health outcome for the people of Wolverhampton.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We need to create the right environment for our children to grow up to be fit and healthy, and instilling in them at a young age the importance of healthy eating is a great step on the path to good health and wellbeing.”

Two local doctors' surgeries have made simple changes to become more dementia friendly.

Penn Manor Medical Practice and Duncan Street Primary Care Centre in Blakenhall are now officially Dementia Friendly GP Practices after introducing a number of low-cost changes which have made their services more accessible to people living with dementia and their carers.

They include enabling all staff, including those on reception, to become Dementia Friends, improving signage and developing a register of patients who may need reminding of upcoming appointments.

The changes have been made following a review by Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, a member of the Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance, of national research which highlighted some of the challenges patients living with dementia and their carers faced when they visited their doctor, and changes which could help remove these barriers.

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Penn Manor Medical Practice and the Duncan Street Primary Care Centre are leading the way in our drive to create Dementia Friendly GP Practices in Wolverhampton.

"Penn Manor has quite a few patients living with dementia, and this is an opportunity to work better with them and ensure they and their carers have a good experience when they come to see their GP. We hope that other surgeries will follow in their lead and take some simple steps to become more dementia friendly."

Helen Ryan, Practice Manager, said: "We decided to go for Dementia Friendly GP Practice status because we wanted to make the patient experience much easier for people with signs of dementia, early dementia and later stage dementia.

"We have made some very small changes which are making a big difference to our patients' overall experience, including making information readily available to them and their families and making our signage much more dementia friendly. Our staff have also completed Dementia Friends training so that they better understand the difficulties that patients living with dementia have.

"The changes we have made will all help patients live better with their dementia, prevent them from being housebound and feel more able to come to the GP practice to get the help and support they need."

For more information about the help and support available to people living with dementia in Wolverhampton, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/dementia. To become a Dementia Friend, please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk.

People who are worried about dementia can contact the Alzheimer's Society for information and support either via the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or by visiting www.alzheimers.org.uk.

The City of Wolverhampton was officially granted Dementia Friendly Community status by the Alzheimer's Society in December in recognition of the efforts being made to improve services for people living with dementia, and their families and carers.

The City of Wolverhampton Council coordinates the Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance and manages an action plan on behalf of member organisations. For more information about the alliance, please visit https://bit.ly/2Kyv85Y.

PUPILS at Middlesbrough schools are being supported to promote their resilience to help them cope with challenging situations.

HeadStart aims to give all Middlesbrough’s children and young people the necessary support to achieve good emotional health by providing support at an early stage and prevent the onset of these conditions.

It is estimated that three pupils in every classroom will develop a diagnosable emotional or mental health condition.

Schools are therefore being supported to develop a robust and sustainable approach to improve the emotional health of young people aged between five and 16 through:

• Workforce development to upskill school staff to more ably support the emotional well-being of pupils

• Key workers based in each school to provide a range of solution-focused therapy

• Youth engagement through the HeadStarters pathway which supports young people to become emotional health champions

• A self-referral on-line tool available to every pupils to access direct support

• Primary to secondary transition support for all Year 6 and 7 pupils

• Peer friendship groups for more vulnerable pupils

A quality standard - developed in partnership with schools - has been introduced to support schools to audit and evidence their whole school approach to support emotional well-being.

Schools are awarded a quality rating ranging from bronze to gold, with Linthorpe Community School becoming the first in Middlesbrough to achieve the gold standard.

Achieving the gold standard demonstrates the school has embedded emotional resilience throughout school from policy to practice. Achievement of the gold standard follow rigorous inspection and audit.

Linthorpe Community School Headteacher Sarah Lymer said: “The challenges we face in Middlesbrough can have an adverse impact on pupils’ educational achievement, and for many poor emotional health can be a barrier to them achieving their full potential.

“That’s why we are fully committed to embedding the principles and outcomes of HeadStart into everything we do.

“It’s all about doing all we can to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of pupils and staff at school, as well as engaging positively with parents and carers and the local community.”

The HeadStart programme is funded by Middlesbrough Council and South Tees CCG.

Councillor Jan Brunton Dobson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “We are committed to giving all our school pupils the best possible start in life, with a firm foundation that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

“A key element of that is ensuring that they have the emotional intelligence and resilience to deal with whatever life throws at them – and the confidence to seek help when they need it.

“HeadStart is a ground-breaking initiative that has the potential to change lives, and I congratulate Linthorpe Community Primary on becoming the first school in Middlesbrough to achieve its Gold Standard.”

South Tees Director of Public Health Edward Kunonga said: “Emotional resilience in young people is a pre-requisite to good health and wellbeing outcomes, educational attainment and length and quality of life.

“Around half of people with mental health problems experience their symptoms by the age of 14.

“HeadStart provides support for children and young people at an early stage to enable them to cope in difficult circumstances to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.”

This week’s (Tuesday 26^th June)  BBC2’s Horizon documentary Teenagers vs Cancer: A User's Guide,  featured 11 remarkable young people who beautifully illustrated why teenagers and young adults need different, specialist and expert support when they face cancer. Viewers were introduced to bespoke ward facilities, specialist nursing and social worker support tailored to the age group, and funded by charities including Teenage Cancer Trust.

As the only UK charity purely focussed on the treatment, care and support of 13-24 year olds with cancer, we are determined the needs of young people with cancer should not be ignored. Teenage Cancer Trust estimate that we currently only reach about half of the young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year with our services, specifically tailored to meet the needs of young people.

Horizon has helped ensure teenagers and young people are heard and for this we are enormously grateful to everyone involved in making the programme happen. However, it is important that those watching last night realise that the job’s far from done. We are calling on the NHS to work in partnership with us, to ensure that every young person diagnosed with cancer in the UK has a Teenage Cancer Trust specialist nurse to provide expert age appropriate care, wherever they choose to be treated.

Kate Collins, Chief Executive at Teenage Cancer Trust