membership magazine west leicestershire issue 3

THREETHREETHREE

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West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group

Members’ Magazine | Winter 2012www.wlmembership.org

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Run, swim and cycle your way to fitness

2 Winter 12, Issue 3: be healthy be heard

Dear members,Welcome to the second edition of our magazine for West Leicestershire be healthy be heard members

Contactus:If you have a practical tip, health suggestion or an interesting story, please send it for inclusion in the next issue using the contact details below. We are also looking for cover stars – send us your picture and health story if you would like to appear on our coverEmail: [email protected]

Post: Please send all correspondence to:

West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group Freepost ADMAIL 4149 Loughborough LE11 1YW

Telephone: 0300 555 5345

Please note that the membership helpline is open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Published by: NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCT Cluster, Fosse House, 6 Smith Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicestershire LE19 1SX


It’s been a busy few months since our last issue. In September we were visited by the NHS Commissioning Board, the final step in our path towards authorisation and we received some very positive feedback from the assessment panel – find out more on page three.

On pages six and seven Professor Lakhani, a GP in South Charnwood and a member of our CCG Board, tells us about the importance of spotting the signs of cancer early.

And, if you need a bit of motivation to get fit, then take a look at pages eight and nine – our cover star Paul Cannaby tells us all about his love of triathlons.

Winter can be a challenging time for health and the colder weather puts increased pressure on people suffering with long term conditions, those with a disability and older people. On page 11 read more about how to ward off the winter bugs and make the best use of your local health care services, and on page 12, you’ll find some useful advice for keeping warm and well this winter.

On page 13, we take a look at Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, including how to

spot the warning signs and, if you’re a smoker, the New Year is a great time to turn over a new leaf and kick the habit.

Congratulations to Mrs Annette Tebbutt from Coalville, the winner of the Leicester Tigers tickets from the Sudoku puzzle competition in the last issue. Why not turn to the back page in this issue and have a go at our winter-themed word search?

As always, our thanks go to those of you who’ve taken the time to get in touch – your feedback really is vital in helping us shape the future of local healthcare.

Wishing you a warm and healthy winter.

Dr Nick Pulman

Chair, West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group

Winter 12, Issue 3 be healthy be heard 3

In addition to our Cover Star article which gives local people the opportunity to share their inspiring health stories and introduce others to a variety of fitness activities, we want you to be able to share even more stories and experiences with us so we can really make this your magazine. Maybe you’d like to talk about a particular health service you have used or perhaps you have recovered from an illness and would like to tell others about your journey. You might have some health and fitness tips that

you’d like to pass on, or maybe you’re a member of a Patient Participation Group (PPG) and have a local event or initiative you’d like to publicise.

Whatever your health related story we’d love to hear from you.

We also want to offer you the opportunity to get in touch with the West Leicestershire CCG Board. Perhaps you have some questions about our commissioning plans, maybe you’d like to know more about our on-going projects, or

perhaps you’d like to pass on some feedback. Whatever your question, you can write to the magazine and we’ll try to publish as many questions and answers as possible in the next edition.

If you’d like to get involved, please include your name, a contact telephone number and a brief outline of your story or question. Write to us at West Leicestershire CCG, Freepost Admail 4149, Loughborough, LE11 1YW, call us on 0300 555 5345 or email us via [email protected]

This visit formed part of the NHS CB’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) authorisation application process, which ensures that CCGs like ours can prove they’re ready to take on full statutory responsibility for commissioning local health services in April 2013.

During the course of the day we presented our vision and strategy for transforming healthcare in West Leicestershire and told them about the work we are doing on proactive care, the Loughborough Walk-In

Centre and community hospitals, as well as our work on COPD, diabetes and end of life care.

The panel were impressed with our achievements so far and we received some very positive feedback. Following the desktop assessment we submitted in July, the NHS CB reviewed our evidence and highlighted 21 areas

as red, or in other words, needing further development. At the end of September’s site visit, 20 of these areas were given the all clear and rated green. Only one area requires further work and we have submitted a plan to address this.

In early December we hope to receive a final authorisation decision from the NHS CB.

– another step forwardAs we reported in the Autumn issue of this magazine, in September this year we were visited and assessed by a panel of experts including senior members of the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB)

Authorisation

We always appreciate feedback from members on our magazine and one of the things you’ve asked for is more patient-focused articles and features. So in 2013 we’d like to offer you even more opportunities to get involved

Get involvedand make it your magazine


A provider has been appointed to run the service and the building, and improvement works are already underway.

Work began on site in October 2012, with the car park being the first area targeted for improvements. When the work is completed, there will be an additional 183 parking spaces for use by patients, visitors and staff.

Clinics based in Outpatients Department 3 were moved to other areas of the hospital and work started on the internal reconfiguration of the building in November 2012. This work will give patients access to a better urgent care service with the addition of observation bays and increased access to diagnostics, such as blood tests and x-rays, at weekends. Observation bays will

allow patients to be monitored at the urgent care centre, for example, following an asthma attack, avoiding the need for these patients to be transferred to larger hospitals which can often be distressing.

With a range of clinicians already based at the hospital there is also the potential to access their expertise on site. For example, doctors who specialise in the care of older people currently run clinics at the hospital.

Dr Nick Willmott, Chair of the WIC Transition Board, said: “When work is complete at the

hospital we will be able to deliver improved care and an increased range of urgent care services locally.”

The move will mean that patients who require urgent care but not acute A&E services can be treated at Loughborough Hospital and will not have to travel to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

While we appreciate there will be some disruption for patients and visitors attending the hospital in the next few months, we hope the boost to services at the hospital will be something the people of Loughborough can be proud of.

We will continue to keep you updated about the move – visit our website at www.westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk for the latest information.

Urgent care centre on track to open in April 2013

Loughborough’s new urgent care centre, which replaces the current walk-in centre, is on track to open in April 2013

Request for patients’ stories

As part of the Choose Better campaign in West Leicestershire, we want to talk to people who have experienced excellent service from their GP or pharmacy, in particular in relation to getting appointments, using the out of hours service or excellent advice given by your local pharmacy. If you think you have a story to tell, please contact us by email:

[email protected]


PPGs work in partnership with their GP practices to help patients contribute to improving services and the quality of care. Around 40 representatives came together at this interactive meeting to encourage PPGs to share good practice.

The meeting started with a talk from practice manager, Rebecca Bowler from Newbold Verdon Medical Practice who encouraged PPG members to share their various activities. During the discussions it was clear local PPGs have been carrying out a range of innovative activities, including encouraging people to think about the consequences of patients missing appointments at their GP practice. Others had been raising awareness around the importance of getting a flu vaccination and how to use health services appropriately to prevent unnecessary attendance at the emergency department. Some PPGs had also been fundraising and involving the wider community to decide how the funds should be spent, with one PPG buying books for the local primary school.

The update was followed by a talk

on the Choose Better campaign and how patients can use NHS services more effectively. PPGs were encouraged to be ambassadors for the campaign by helping practices to display information and promoting services such as the out of hours arrangements and extended opening hours. You can find out more about the campaign at www.choosebetter.org.uk

The representatives were then given an update on the Proactive Care project which featured in our autumn magazine. The main focus of the project is to make sure people with long term conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure problems or lung

conditions get the right care, at the right time, by the right people. There was also an opportunity to find out about the Self Care Strategy which aims to support the people of Leicestershire to keep themselves healthy.

The highlight of the event was an opportunity for representatives to go ‘speed dating’ as they moved round different tables sharing good practice with other delegates.

Discussions included the use of Facebook to help PPGs engage with different groups, how mystery shoppers could be used to improve services and how PPGs could offer support with patient surveys and practice appraisals.

The next meeting of the network takes place in January 2013 and Chief Executive of the National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP), Stephanie Varah, will be attending to speak to the PPG representatives.

If you’d like to join your local practice’s PPG, speak to your practice manager for more information.

In October, representatives from 25 practices, LINk and the out of hours team attended the third meeting of the West Leicestershire Patient Participation Group (PPG) Network

Working togetherto improve your services


Cancer


As a practising GP, I sometimes see people coming in late with symptoms of cancer. I also know that when cancer is found at an early stage, treatment is often easier and cure is more likely. I have been privileged to have worked with a national project looking at awareness and early diagnosis of cancer and I want to share three top tips with you.

SPOTEARLY

Thanks to advances in medicine there have been major improvements in cancer survival in recent years. Cancer Research UK says that cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s. But there is still a long way to go. Every year, 4600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Leicestershire – this means 17 new cases every working day.

Professor Mayur Lakhani CBE is a practising GP in South Charnwood and a Board Member of the West Leicestershire CCG. He tells be healthy, be heard more about spotting cancer early


1 2 31 Look out for signs and symptoms

If you develop any of the symptoms listed below please book an appointment to see your GP without delay. These are the most important symptoms to look out for as agreed by experts. If you have any of these symptoms, it does not mean that you definitely have cancer, but it does mean you should see your GP and get checked out.

Signs of cancer for men and women:

• An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body

• A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole

• A sore that won’t heal after several weeks

• A mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks

• A cough or croaky voice that lasts longer than three weeks

• Persistent difficulty swallowing or indigestion

• Problems passing urine• Blood in your urine• Blood in your bowel motions• A change to more frequent

bowel motions that lasts longer than three weeks

• Unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats

• An unexplained pain or ache that lasts longer than four weeks

• Breathlessness• Coughing up blood

Signs of cancer for women:• An unusual breast change• Bleeding from the vagina after

the menopause or between periods

• Persistent bloating

2 See the doctor

Sometimes people worry whether seeing the doctor is the right thing to do. But if you notice any of the symptoms listed or anything unusual about your body, it is important to see your doctor. It can help to write down your concerns before you go. People worry about wasting a doctor’s time or are embarrassed by their symptoms. But as GPs, we are trained to deal with these sensitive issues on a daily basis.

Sometimes cancer can be really hard to diagnose early. This can be because the presentation is not straightforward or is hidden by other conditions that the patient may have. It is therefore important that if you have persistent symptoms, even if the initial tests have been negative, you return to your doctor.

And it is ‘ok’ to ask your doctor to review your progress and condition. One rule of thumb is that if you have been three times or more with the same complaint to see a GP, ask for a review with another GP in the practice or discuss a referral. For suspected cancer, your GP is able to arrange a hospital appointment within two weeks for tests to exclude cancer.

3 Prevent cancer – healthy living and

screening saves livesCancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell contains a set of instructions telling the cell how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions may allow a cell to become cancerous.

Smoking, alcohol, obesity, poor diet, certain types of family history, sun exposure and certain viruses can make cells cancerous. However leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent 40 percent of cancers.

• Smoking should be avoided including passive smoking

• Maximise your intake of fruit and vegetables every day of the week

• Keep to within seven pounds of your ideal body weight

• Alcohol intake should be less than 15 units per week and try to have three alcohol free days per week.

In the UK, we have national screening programmes, for breast, cervical and bowel cancers. Ask your GP for more information.

Top tips to beat cancer:• Prevent cancer by healthy living

• Take up any screening offers

• Go to the doctor if you are worried or have any symptoms that are not getting better

• Work with your doctor. Ask questions such as ‘what do you

think is wrong with me?’ or ‘could it be cancer?’

For more information on the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative at Cancer Research UK visit:

www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/spotcancerearly/


THREEWhat is a triathlon?

Triathlon is a sport that includes three separate elements or disciplines, a swim, a bike and a run, with races completed in that order. The swim can take place in an indoor swimming pool, or outdoors in lakes, rivers or the sea, called “Open Water”. The bike section is typically on public roads, although some events do offer closed roads where there is no traffic. The run section can be on closed sections of road, but is more often held on the paths that surround the lake where the earlier swim section took place.

The triathlon season runs from around late April to the end of September, with races across the county on most weekends and some weekdays.

How did you get into this sport?

My interest in triathlon started when a friend completed a half marathon in late 2004. I was already a keen runner, and not to be outdone, I started looking for a different challenge that involved more than running alone. The internet can be a dangerous thing, and soon I found out about a sport I knew nothing about – Triathlon. I entered my first race, an Olympic distance race (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) at

Rutland Water, in early 2005. I trained over the winter, and finished in a fairly respectable two hours and 25 minutes.

The more I found out about Triathlon, the more I knew

THREESometimes it can be difficult to fit one fitness activity into our lives, but for at least ten hours a week, Paul Cannaby, 34, from Kirby Muxloe trains for three different sports so he can take part in triathlons. He tells ‘be healthy, be heard’ more about his training

THREET h e p o w e r o f



THREETHREE that I wanted to complete the IronMan distance (3800m swim, 180km bike, 42km run), and in 2006 I completed IronMan UK in 11 hours and 43 minutes.

What type of training do you do?

My training programme varies depending on the races I have planned for the season. Training for the IronMan ranged from ten hours a week during the initial stages, and peaked at around 20 hours a week. In the off season, during the winter months, I typically train for around ten hours a week, spread over six days. Around half the training time is spent on the bike and the other half is made up of a bit more running than swimming.

What type of equipment do you need?

When starting triathlon, the range of available kit can seem daunting, but all you really need is something to swim in, a bike and a pair of trainers. For indoor pool swims, this can just be a pair of swim trunks or a swim costume. For outdoor swims in the UK, a wetsuit is normally required. Triathlon specific wetsuits are by far the best, as they are specifically designed for swimming with greater flexibility around the shoulders, and carefully placed buoyancy to improve body position in the water.

Before you jump in and spend six month’s salary on a shiny new

bike, top of the range wetsuit and the latest running shoes, it is a good idea to make sure you actually enjoy the sport first. Most people have a rusty old bike in the shed, that with a bit of love and attention will serve them fine for the first few races. Wetsuits can be hired for as little as £50 for a whole season, with an option to purchase at the end of the year if you decide you like the sport and want to continue.

The only place I would recommend spending as much as you can is running shoes. Visit a specialist running store, talk to them about what you are trying to achieve, and get your run style analysed. Time and a bit of money spent here won’t guarantee you will run injury free, but can only help put you on the right path.

What are the health benefits?

The health benefits of this sport are enormous. There is nothing better than a good run in the morning before breakfast to wake you up and get you set for the day ahead. Lunchtime runs also provide a great break in the middle of the day and make my afternoons far more productive.

I was reasonably fit before I started triathlon, as I ran regularly and played a fair bit of football, but triathlon has taken this to a new level – I have lost about a stone and a half that I never thought I would, and my body shape and composition has

improved dramatically. One major benefit is that after a six hour bike training session, covering over a 100 miles, a whole tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream can be eaten without any guilt whatsoever!

Why would you recommend triathlons as a fitness activity?

I would recommend triathlon to anyone who wants to get a bit fitter and needs to have variety in their exercise or training. Training can be done on your own or as part of a club with others and the social aspect of training as part of a group is a big attraction for many athletes.

Every bike training session is different, depending on whether you turn left or right out of the front door, whether it’s windy, raining or sunny. Run on pavements, run off road, run on forest tracks, run on the track, run on the beach, run at night, run in the day – the choice is yours and each run will be different.

One word of warning – please don’t swim outdoors (lakes or rivers) without it being an organised swim session. The risks associated with swimming in lakes or rivers on your own cannot and should not be underestimated.

THREE

Remember – you should speak to your GP before starting any new exercise plan.


With the colder weather setting in we want to help you keep healthy and make sure you know the best health services to choose if you become unwell this winter

Keeping well this winter is particularly important if you, or someone you know, has a health condition – such as asthma, diabetes, MS, or a chest, heart, liver or kidney complaint. By planning ahead and taking a few simple steps, you can help yourself to stay healthy and on top of your condition. No-one likes being ill or wants to spend time in hospital so we all need to take responsibility for looking after ourselves as best we can.

A&E is meant for real emergencies and saving lives, although it is often a first stop for many people who aren’t feeling quite right. We need to remember that A&E, and dialling 999, are emergency services that should only be used in the event of a serious injury, or when someone shows the symptoms of critical illness.

The right NHS services are everywhere – we just need to stop and think – and then choose the right one.

GP surgeries in West Leicestershire are participating in the national NHS health checks programme which aims to prevent heart disease, stroke diabetes and kidney disease

Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family.

GP surgeries in West Leicestershire are contacting patients between the ages of 40 and 74 years who have not been diagnosed with the conditions previously mentioned and inviting them to attend the surgery for a health check. If invited, even if you are feeling well, it’s worth attending as we can work with you to lower your chances of developing these

health problems in the future.

During the health check your GP or nurse will review your medical history and carry out some simple tests to assess your risk of developing future health problems. After the check you’ll be taken through the results and given personal advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on the NHS health check programme please visit

www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck or call 0845 850 9850

WORKING TOGETHER TOImprove your Health

Take control thiswinter



Sounds simple, but visit your pharmacy.

The pharmacist will give you advice on the best over the counter medication for common winter complaints such as coughs and colds that suit your condition and medication you may already be taking. They will also advise you about what remedies to keep in your medicine cabinet – from pain relief and rehydration sachets for that hangover, to antiseptic cream and plasters for minor cuts and bruises. You can find out which pharmacies are close to you by visiting www.nhs.uk/choosewell

Catch it, kill it, bin it.

Almost everyone will have a cough or cold this winter. Don’t spread your germs. Cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in the bin and wash your hands to stop the spread of germs. It really is that simple. Use symptom relief from the pharmacy and take plenty of rest. Your GP won’t be able to prescribe anything to help.

Cold outside? It’s the perfect excuse to eat well and wrap up warm.

Keep warm inside and out by keeping active and having regular hot drinks and nutritious meals. If you have breathing problems even a small change in temperature can affect you. So take extra care.

Think ahead.

If you’re taking any medication, make sure that you have enough to last you when your GP surgery may be closed. It’s important that you book any routine appointments with your practice in plenty of time and ensure that you have enough medication to last you over these times. Don’t use A&E as a back-up pharmacy, plan ahead.

Know when NHS services near your home are open.

A&E and your GP aren’t your only options. You’ll often be seen quicker at other NHS services, so check out NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk/choosewell) for your

nearest pharmacy, walk-in centre or minor injuries unit. It’s better to do this first, rather than face a long wait in A&E. Alternatively if it’s urgent, but not an emergency, and you’re not sure what to do, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Personalised Care Plan?

It’s a good idea for those with a long term condition to have an up-to-date personalised care plan. A care plan will help you manage your condition better – especially during the cold weather. It will also help loved ones know what to do if you need medical attention. If you’re not sure if you have a Personalised Care Plan, contact your GP for more information.

QR code for NHS Choices:



Cold weather, combined with low levels of sunlight means that many of us can feel ‘under the weather’ at this time of year. But for those people who are already vulnerable, as a result of their age, illness or disability, winter weather can have a dramatic effect on everyday life

Winter weather can lead to very serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes or pneumonia, and the risks are greater if you have a long-term health condition or are over 65.

There are several things you can do to help yourself stay healthy this winter:

Eat well

Eating regular meals will help keep your energy levels up during winter, so have plenty of hot food and drinks. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and stock up on tinned and frozen foods so that you don’t have to go out too much when it’s cold or icy.

Stay active

Exercise is great for your overall health and it can also keep you warm in winter. Even moderate exercise can bring health benefits – if possible, try to move around at least once an hour, but speak to your GP before starting any exercise plan.

Dress for the weather

Wear lots of thin layers rather than one chunky jumper. Clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are particularly good at keeping in body heat. If you do go outside wear shoes with good grips to help prevent slips and falls.

Heating your home

Setting your heating to the right temperature can keep your home warm and actually lower your bills. Your main living room should be

around 18-21°C (64-70°F) and the rest of the house at least 16°C (61°F). Above this and you may be wasting your money; below this, and you may be risking your health.

If you can’t heat all of the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed. Remember to close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms you use most.

For safety, it’s important to get your heating system checked regularly and keep your home well ventilated. If you have open fires, make sure that they are properly vented and use safety guards. If you use a fire or heater in your bedroom at night, always keep a window and the door open.

Get financial support

With the rising cost of gas and electricity, heating your home in winter can be a daunting prospect, but, help is available.

You may be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments to help towards your heating bills, or be entitled to help towards improving your insulation and heating within your home through the Government’s Warm Front Scheme.

Cold Weather Payments are also available for people on pension credit or income support if the weather’s going to be particularly cold for a long period of time.

You can find out more at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or call 08459 15 15 15.

warm&wellKeep this Winter



COPD know the facts

The new year is always a good time to make a fresh start. In 2013, why not take the opportunity to give up smoking and improve your health?

Smoking causes many serious and fatal diseases including lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and emphysema. It also causes many other cancers, respiratory diseases, strokes and can affect fertility. With cigarettes containing over 4,000 toxic chemicals, 50 of which cause cancer, it’s never too late to stop smoking…

• Within the first 24 hours your blood pressure and lungs will be showing improvement.

• After three months your circulation and breathing should have improved noticeably.

• After five years, your risk of having a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.

• After ten years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.

Quitting may seem daunting but there is plenty of support available including websites, telephone advice and one-to-one support.

Why not start by calling the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4 332. They can help you decide on the best way to quit and provide information about your nearest services.

You can also visit http://smokefree.nhs.uk/ to find out more information about the effects of smoking and the range of support on offer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with COPD have trouble breathing in and out and these difficulties are caused by long-term damage to the lungs.

The main cause of COPD is smoking. The smoke irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring and over years this inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lungs. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to the delicate walls of the air sacs in the lungs causes emphysema and the lungs lose their normal elasticity. The smaller airways also become scarred and narrowed. These changes cause the symptoms of breathlessness, cough and phlegm associated with COPD. Some cases of COPD are caused by fumes, dust, air pollution and genetic disorders, but these are rarer.

The symptoms of COPD usually develop over a number of years, so you may not be aware you have the condition. If you notice any of the following symptoms and you’re over 35 you should visit your GP:

• increasing breathlessness when exercising or moving around

• a persistent cough with phlegm that never seems to go away

• frequent chest infections, particularly in winter

Find out more about COPD here: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

New Yearand a newsmoke

free youwarm&well



Do you haveType 2 diabetes?

What will I get out of a DESMOND session?Quite a lot! As well as getting up-to-date information, you will learn practical skills which you may find helpful in managing your diabetes. An opportunity will be provided to discuss and explore factors relating to diabetes, such as food choices, activity and medication.

You will also be able to meet and talk to others in the same situation. At the end of the sessions, everyone taking part in DESMOND will have information to take away for reference.

www.desmond-project.org.uk

The DESMOND programme was brilliant - really helped me understand MY diabetes

But what makes DESMOND so special?

DESMOND is pretty unique. It’s an education

programme designed to support you, the

person with diabetes, to become the

expert. The Educators are there to

help you increase your knowledge and

understanding of what having diabetes

will mean for you. But at the end of the

day, you will be the person in control

and making the decisions.

I attended DESMOND recently and found it very helpful. Everyone with

diabetes should go if they get the chance

Referral can be made via your GP/practice Nurse or self referral by calling Indira on 0116 2584369

So, who or what is DESMOND?

DESMOND stands for Diabetes Education and Self

Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed.

More simply...

• It’s a way of finding out more about

Type 2 diabetes.

• It’s a resource to help you manage the

changes diabetes will bring to your life.

• It’s an opportunity to meet and share

experiences with others.

Then meet DESMOND!

Desmond Poster_2012.indd 1 22/11/2012 09:04


To add a little variety to these tasty scones, why not add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to the flour to make apple and cinnamon scones or add about five chopped glacé cherries for apple and cherry scones?

These sweet scones make a lovely afternoon treat with a cup of tea, but don’t forget to indulge in moderation…

Apple sconesIngredients:

1 medium apple

250g self-raising flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

60g polyunsaturated margarine

60g sugar

Milk to mix

Method:

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/400°f/gas mark 6.

2 Grease a baking tray.

3 Peel, core and chop the apple.

4 Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl.

5 Add the margarine to the flour and using your fingertips rub the margarine in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

6 Stir in the sugar, add the chopped apple and mix together.

7 Add the milk, a little at a time, to form a soft dough.

8 Place the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/2 of an inch thickness.

9 Use a biscuit cutter to cut out the scones, brush lightly with a little milk and bake in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes until golden brown.

Winter 12, Issue 3: be healthy be heard 15

If you’re diabetic you can make these scones healthier for you by replacing sugar with sweetener.Generally you’ll need to substitute a spoon of sugar for a spoon of sweetener although this can vary a little depending on the type of sweetener you use.

For example our recipe calls for 60g of sugar, measure out the 60g into a bowl and count how many spoonfuls this is. Then use the same number of spoonfuls of sweetener in the recipe.

It’s competition timeIt’s our winter edition so here’s a winter themed puzzle for you. Simply tell us which word in our list doesn’t appear in the word search to be in with a chance to win £25 of M&S vouchers

We can provide versions of all be healthy, be heard membership publications in other languages and formats such as Braille and large print on request. Please contact the engagement and involvement department on 0116 295 1170. Please state which publication you require when you call.

Somali

Polish

Urdu

Punjabi

Gujarati

Hindi

Bengali

WINTER SNOWING SCARF GLOVES JACKET SLEDGING HAT

FROSTY ICE SLIPPERY FIREPLACE WELLINGTONS SNOWBALLS LAUGHTER

Answer:

Name:

Membership number:

Email address:

Cut out this page and post your completed word search to:

West Leicestershire CCG Freepost ADMAIL 4149 Loughborough LE11 1YW

The closing date for entries is 25 January 2013. The first correct entry randomly drawn will receive the prize.

membership magazine west leicestershire issue 3

Documents

healthy winter

fitness2 winter

winter bugs

health story

health suggestion

local people

winterthemed word search

inspiring health stories