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TRANSCRIPT
HERSTMONCEUX INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CENTRE (HIHC)
Newsletter No. 7 Summer 2020
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” By Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter (2008).
This quote sums up how I feel about the events we are living through. I may not be a rainbow, but I am part of a team that tries hard to help people to improve their wellbeing.
We are going through an unprecedented time of rapid change and uncertainty. The Covid-19 virus has caused fear, anxiety and uncertainty in patients and in the medical teams trying to look after them. You, our patients, have adapted to the changes and used our resources thoughtfully while being aware of the massive pressure on the NHS at present. We are very grateful to our team for their help and support.
From the beginning our team at Herstmonceux Integrative Health Centre has worked hard to continue to provide an excellent service to our patients while protecting the safety of all our patients and staff. We were told by NHS England to change to remote consultations, so we have adapted to mostly telephone or video consultations, with face-to-face consultations only when there is no suitable alternative. We wear our scrubs and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect both patients and staff. There have been many challenges to install, learn how to use, and become more comfortable with new technology such as video calls. I cheered when my first video call connected successfully!
I have enjoyed seeing more people out walking, running and cycling during the lockdown. I hope that many of you will continue with this daily exercise with proven benefits to health and wellbeing. You may have been on the receiving end of my “You will feel better with ten minutes’ walk every day.” advice in the past!
We are already thinking about what our service will look like when the lockdown starts to lift. It seems to us that some patients like our telephone and video consultations and that they might find these fit in better with busy lives than face-to-face appointments for some things. We will try to find a balance that enables timely access for all while excluding no-one. It will of course take some time for any changes to settle in and be fine-tuned, so please bear with us when we are able to start the new schedules.
Please remember that we are still here to support you and look after your wellbeing. Please do not ignore any serious symptoms you have; phone to book a telephone consultation or use the online consultation link on our website and we will give you advice and see you if necessary.
Keep safe, continue social distancing, and do your best to keep mentally and physically well.
Best wishes to you all, Dr Katy Dodge
A rainbow over the surgery.
CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS BY TEXT
With regard to appointment reminders sent by text from the Surgery, when and if you send CANCEL, could you please avoid adding any other text as we do not currently check SMS messages. The same applies to campaign messages, i.e. for flu clinics and Covid support.
APPOINTMENTS - WHAT WILL THE NEW ‘NORMAL’ LOOK LIKE?
As part of the COVID-19 plans, general practices had to put triage measures in place to reduce infection risk for patients and staff. One of those measures was to remove the option of booking appointments on-line to ensure we were able to triage all patients appropriately.
Telephone and video consultations are making up the highest percentage of consultations currently, with face to face appointments being offered by the clinicians where clinically required and there is no risk to patient or staff.
We are constantly reviewing capacity and demand, and discussing how schedules will look in the weeks and months to come. We will be looking to revert to a type of ‘normal’ as soon as guidance allows and we can ensure the safety of everyone.
As soon as we have any news on opening on-line appointments etc. we will inform patients via the website, emails, text messages etc. Please continue to phone in the first instance so that we can direct you to the most appropriate clinician.
ENGAGE - On-Line Consultations with our GPs
To be able to have an on-line consultation with one of our GPs, you need to first register with ENGAGE, which is part of the NHS Online Service, through the following link. https://wsp.psf-live.co.uk/#/login You can use this option to send in prescription enquiries, administration queries and any clinical queries that you would like an answer to.
If you submit your query before 11.00 am Mon – Friday you will receive a response from the team that day.
AccuRx - Video Consultations with our GPs
AccuRx is integrated within EMIS, our clinical system; it enables our clinical team to send a link to the patient for them to click onto and have a live video consultation via their SMART Phone, tablet, iPad, (but not a computer or laptop). Video consultations can be requested through reception.
LIVI - SEE A LIVI GP BY VIDEO
This service is available at weekends and evenings. During the Covid 19 crisis, the opening hours of this service have been extended to:
Monday to Friday: 9am – 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 4pm
LIVI is free to use and HIHC is a participating practice which means that your electronic medical records will be available for LIVI’s GPs. https://www.livi.co.uk/
Like your usual GP, LIVI GPs offer medical advice, prescriptions and referrals for a wide range of medical problems. You can usually see a GP in less than 30 minutes, or you can book ahead.
The key things to be aware of are:
· This facility is only available via an app on your mobile phone, tablet or iPad (not via a personal computer or laptop)
· You will need to take a photo of yourself when first registering for the service
· You will need to scan in either a passport photo or driving licence photo when registering
· LIVI is not available for children under 2
· This service is not delivered by your usual GPs
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT FROM ST. WILFRID’S HOSPICE
· In response to the Covid-19 crisis, St Wilfrid’s Hospice is temporarily extending adult bereavement support to the whole community, beyond those directly linked to the hospice.
· They recognise that this crisis affects all bereaved, whether their loved one died due to the virus, whether people have been unable to visit their loved one or whether grief feels particularly hard in these times where many of us are distanced and isolated.
· As far as they are able they will extend their bereavement support to all recently bereaved in our catchment area.
· People can self refer via their website https://www.stwhospice.org/Pages/Category/bereavement
· or ring 01323 434251 to ask for a call back regarding bereavement support. Their administrator will take basic details from you and then ask someone from their support team to be in touch.
· The link for professional referrals is here https://www.stwhospice.org/referral-form-and-criteria
· The Seahorse Project continues to accept referrals for bereaved children. https://www.stwhospice.org/1-to-1-bereavement-support
GENES & GREENS
Hate eating your greens? It may not be your fault, according to a US study. The research suggests that some of us have a gene that makes certain compounds in veg such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage taste bitter. The same gene also makes some of us averse to dark chocolate, coffee and beer.
Source: Lifespan magazine
FRIENDS AND FAMILY SURVEY TEXTS
Thank you to everyone, as ever, for their friends and family comments which in the main are excellent and give the team a real boost.
There are a couple of comments made by patients that we would like to respond to:
· For patients having trouble getting through on the phone at 8.30am the surgery now has an online consultation option to enable written queries, requests, information etc. to be sent to the surgery for responding to that day. To access this service please click on the “Online Consultations” link on the website. (See ENGAGE information page 2.)
· One person commented “Please stop sending me text surveys about your service which, by the way, is fine”
This refers to the Friends and Family Survey text (FFT) sent to patients after they attend an appointment. NHS England manage this survey and as such the repetition of texts is out of our hands; however NHSE have reduced the number of times they send a FFT request. The text can just be ignored if the patient wishes.
CAULIFLOWER
This photogenic vegetable goes from strength to strength, thanks to a slew of vitamins and minerals, as well as plant nutrients.
Native to the north-eastern Mediterranean, cauliflower is a good source of Vitamin C.
It also contains manganese and a wealth of sulphur-containing compounds, which help support the body’s cardiovascular, digestive, immune, inflammatory and detox systems.
Source: Lifespan magazine
Dr Rachel Harrison
I grew up just down the road, in Ringmer, and have spent most of my life near the South Downs.
After medical school in Oxford, I returned to Sussex and worked on the medical wards at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. After several years training in acute medicine and then oncology, I spent a year working in New Zealand and finally joined an expedition to Mount Everest to be the base camp doctor for a group of mountaineers, before returning to the UK to start my family.
Once back in the UK, I decided to train as a GP. I have now been working as a GP in and around Brighton for the last 11 years. I live in Lewes with my husband and 3 children and I still love to run, walk and cycle on the South Downs. Cycle touring is a great passion of mine and I am still riding the same Roberts touring bike that was made for me 25 years ago! I managed to persuade my whole family (including my 7 year old son) to cycle from Dieppe to Paris last summer, carrying our tents, which was my favourite summer to date. I practice yoga and mindfulness as much as I can and love to sing in a local natural voice choir.
I was so pleased to have the opportunity to join the team at HIHC this year and to work in a health centre that puts holistic care and true health and wellbeing at the heart of everything they do. I also love the focus we have on sustainability in health care and the wider community.
I love being a GP and having the opportunity to get to know and help people with their health over time. I believe continuity is one of the most important tools we have in primary care.
As well as working at HIHC, I also currently work as a school doctor and enjoy working with young people. However, I would say that I am a true generalist and like to tackle the whole range of problems that general practice can throw at us. I have recently volunteered with refugees in Calais and have an interest in working with migrant populations and those who have been displaced.
Although it has been an unusual start in a new role with the challenges of coronavirus, I am looking forward to settling in here!
ANOTHER ONE OF BILL BRYSON’S FASCINATING FACTS
PATIENT LINK GROUP/HERSTMONCEUX INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTRE
· CANCELLED EVENTS
What a difference one newsletter makes!! We were enthusiastic and full of energy when writing the last one, looking forward to our Castle Ceilidh and planning our picnic and walk in the woods! After all the planning and preparation, we had to cancel both events; but upon reflection it was the correct thing to do – it was only a week later that the Government put the lockdown in place. What a responsible lot we are……
Despite having to cancel, as a Patient Link Group working closely with the Practice we nevertheless feel it was a fantastic achievement and the best barn dance that never happened. We sold over 100 tickets and had everything well organised. So we are now world class barn dance planners – you can look forward to future ventures now we know we can do it. And we would not want to waste all those things we bought.
Meanwhile, we have been helping the Practice with various things from a distance but have not had any meetings. Only when it is safe to do so and the Practice is ready, will we be meeting up again.
BUT there is something YOU can do in the meantime. We agreed a set of objectives for us to work on with the Practice and one of these was a patient survey. This would be different from the friends and family survey you may reply to after a Practice visit. We want to know about you and what you want. When we get feedback directly from you it means we can drive the actions with the Practice to improve the experience for everyone.
A group of us will be constructing this in the near future. If you have any questions you think we should include please let me know – just email me or if you prefer WhatsApp or text me on 07555 538276.
Lynn Bowman, Chair of the Patient Link Group (PLG)
Tel: 07555 538276 Email: [email protected]
Race is one millimetre deep. Intrepidly attending the dissection of a corpse, Bryson quotes the surgeon who pulled back a minute layer of skin and said: “That’s all that race is – a sliver of epidermis.” As we spread across the world, some people are thought to have evolved lighter skin in order to glean vitamin D from weaker sunlight. Throughout human history, people have “de-pigmented” and “re-pigmented” to suit their environment.
Biologically, skin colour is just “a reaction to sunlight”, Bryson quotes the anthropologist Nina Jablonski as saying. She adds: “And yet look how many people have been enslaved or hated or lynched or deprived of fundamental rights through history because of the colour of their skin.” Source: Bill Bryson’s book “The Body – a Guide for Occupants”
LAUGHTER IS DEFINITELY THE BEST MEDICINE
Did you know there is such a thing as Laugher Yoga Classes?! Because our bodies apparently can’t tell the difference between fake and real laughter, laughter has real mood-lifting, stress-reducing and immune-boosting benefits.
HEALTH COACHING PROGRAMME
Due to Covid-19 our health coaches were no longer able to see patients face-to-face or run our weekly 10 step resilience programme. In order for us to continue to run the programme for patients we have made some adaptions and are now offering one to one health coaching sessions through Zoom/face time or land line calls, and our 10 Step resilience programme is hosted once a week through Zoom.
Currently this is available to all HIHC patients over 18 and if anyone is interested please email [email protected] for further information. We have over 50 patients on the current programme; some have their partners and family members joining in as well. Patients log into the Zoom weekly sessions which are totally anonymous and participants’ video links are switched off so they can see and hear the hosts but are not visible to anyone else.
Each week an email goes out to participants with details of the Zoom subject matter for that week - this includes handouts and exercises. We also offer each patient the opportunity to work one to one with our Health Coach as mentioned before. Working with the Health Coach can be on issues from bereavement, mental well-being to help with weight loss, isolation and self-esteem. The Health Coach Programme entitles participants to 2 hours of 1-1 coaching; one session for 1 hour followed by two subsequent sessions of 1/2 hour.
Patients that are referred to the Health Coach Project can also access our website where they are able to obtain further health information on movement, nutrition, breathing exercises and emotional resilience. Patients are also able to watch yoga videos, listen to meditation audios and access webinars with our Nutritionist - Jo Majithia.
VITALITY VILLAGES NEWS
Due to Covid-19, sadly all Vitality Villages activities have been suspended; but we will let people know as soon as we are able to all meet up again.
Herstmonceux Community Routes - Vitality Villages aim is to promote the health and well-being of the community of Herstmonceux and surrounding villages. To support this the Truggers group are working in collaboration with the E.S.C.C. Rights of Way team and the Parish Council to improve access to our local footpath network. In particular a number of local routes have been identified as Community Routes that would benefit the residents of the parish if they could be upgraded and better maintained. Routes near Cowbeech, Windmill Hill and Herstmonceux are being considered. In fact, if the project continues there is no reason why all footpaths in the parish could not become part of one or more Community Routes. So, what’s being done?
Footpath Clearance - Every Friday morning during spring, summer and autumn a small group of volunteers working under the authority of E.S.C.C. help clear footpaths, gates and stiles of obstructions including brambles and nettles, fallen and overhanging branches and all manner of encroaching vegetation. Our main work though is having a natter and putting the world to rights. We decide on which footpaths to tackle and how long we stay out. More volunteers are always welcome.
Stile Replacement - Traditional stiles can be very difficult to climb over if they are not well maintained. Even good stiles are problematic for those of us who have balance or joint issues. To improve access to footpaths we are looking to replace traditional stiles with either gates, kissing gates or ladder stiles. There is no one size fits all solution as terrain, landowner requirements and safety have their effects. The fallback solution however is a ladder stile. They fit neatly into the same space as traditional stiles and can be made stockproof. They are sturdy and relatively easy to negotiate with left and right handholds. And not least, they are constructed by The Men’s Shed based at the Bader International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle, which makes them by far the cheapest option.
Currently due to the Covid-19 restrictions all work is temporarily on hold. However, if you are interested in helping us out with either the Footpath Clearance group or the Stile Replacement group and would like to hear more details please don’t hesitate to contact Steve on 01323 833473. Or, if you are interested in the construction of ladder stiles and The Men’s Shed and would like to hear more about that contact Alan on 01323 833306.
JOKES – Please email any suitable jokes you may have to Bea Simmons: [email protected]
FUTURE NEWSLETTER ARTICLES Please email to:
Lynn Bowman (Editor) at [email protected]
or [email protected]
Herstmonceux Active
Exercise in the park is back every Friday (Herstmonceux rec) 6.30pm to 7.30pm – with options for gentle start lessons (big demand for easing back into exercise)… voluntary donation of £3, and taster sessions are free.
All ages, all sizes, all welcome.
24%
….. that’s the percentage by which your risk of dying from any cause could be reduced if you own a dog, says a US systematic review. The potentially life-stretching benefits could be due partly to increased physical activity from waking the dog, says the authors.
Source: Lifespan magazine
13 MILLION
…… that’s how many people in the UK are dangerously overweight, according to Diabetes UK. The Obesity Health Alliance is calling for the government to make reducing obesity a key priority, as well as protecting children from junk-food marketing and educating healthcare professionals.
Source: Lifespan magazine
All About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. It causes ongoing damage to the brain and affects the brain cells which produce dopamine. As the cells stop working it affects the movement of the body.
According to the NHS:
· Parkinson’s is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra area of the brain leading to a reduction in dopamine.
· The dopamine reduction is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
· It is unclear exactly what causes the loss of nerve cells.
· It is a progressive condition and there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s.
· Parkinson’s can affect anyone, although it is more prevalent in men aged 50 to 89. – unclear why
Key Stats:
· 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime
· Around 145,000 people in the UK are living with the condition, predicted to rise to more than 172,000 people by 2030
· Two people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every hour – 18,000 a year
· There are more than 40 symptoms of PD
· Ultimately, more than one million people are likely to be affected by the condition in the UK
What are the Main Symptoms?
· Each person living with the condition can experience symptoms differently.
· Symptoms can be categorised as motor and non-motor, and people may also experience mental health issues.
· Those symptoms most associated with Parkinson’s are tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement, though there is no ‘typical’ experience of Parkinson’s.
· Other motor symptoms include falls and dizziness; freezing (feeling stuck to the ground); muscle cramps and dystonia (unexpected contraction of muscles).
· Other non-motor symptoms include fatigue; low blood pressure; bladder and bowel problems; restless legs; sleep issues; eating, swallowing and saliva control problems; speech and communication problems; and eye problems.
· Mental health issues include mild memory and thinking problems; anxiety, dementia; depression; hallucinations and delusions.
Available Treatment Options
· People can live well with Parkinson’s on the correct treatment.
· Advances in treatments mean that many people now have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
· Physical therapy, medication, and for some people, surgery are available treatments.
· As every person experiences Parkinson’s differently, treatment is tailored to the individual. Often a combination of treatments work well which can take time to get right.
· Upon diagnosis most people are prescribed levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor depending on their age, lifestyle and symptoms.
· Parkinson’s treatments generally work to increase dopamine in the brain, act as a dopamine substitute or block enzymes that break down dopamine.
Source:
www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support
A Patient’s Perspective on Parkinsons
I was diagnosed when I was 55 in 2018. I was truly devastated and two years down the line I am still having difficulties coming to terms with my DIAGNOSIS. Many people believe it to be a disease that affects the elderly but it is not always just the elderly. It is a difficult disease to diagnose and I was misdiagnosed initially by a neurologist as being depressed and stressed. It took two years to finally get a diagnosis.
Back in 2016 I was crying a lot and feeling low. This was very out of character for me. I then noticed that I could not put my left foot in a shoe, I was unable to push my foot in. I then developed a frozen shoulder and I had treatment from a chiropractor. Things did not improve. I then began to get a pain in my left thigh when I was driving which was peculiar. The twitches then began all over my body. I had a urinary tract infection which I had never had before. Constipation was also a big problem.
I started to think I was going mad and felt no one believed me so I completed a mindfulness course. In the end I decided to pay to see another neurologist who diagnosed me within half an hour. One of the big things is you have a reduced or absent arm swing when you are walking. After talking to lots of people and reading lots of research there does seem to be some commonalities to look out for. I have listed tremor which is one of the commonest symptoms, but I did not present with a tremor. I think it is prudent to consider Parkinson’s if you have the following issues.
• Tremor
• Right or left sided weakness (I have left sided weakness)
• Frozen shoulder
• Feeling low and crying a lot
You may have one or all of these symptoms. Don’t forget everyone is different. For some people the first symptom may be that they lose their sense of smell and develop a ‘mask like’ appearance with their face.
Now I am on a journey that is no doubt very hard at times. Coming to terms with this illness Is also very hard for family and carers and consideration should be given to their needs. There is a lot of support out there, either on the internet or by post or joining groups. Parkinsons.org is extremely helpful as is the Michael J Fox foundation. There is an enormous amount of research being carried out to try and obtain a cure and to find more treatments. Most people will have access to a Parkinson’s nurse and they will keep in touch with you as needed. They seem to know everything in my opinion.
On a positive note, I have gained lots of friends I wouldn’t previously have known and I now go to a choir particularly for people with Parkinson’s. I attend a group at the Hydro hotel on the first Wednesday of each month from 1600-1800 hours which is an informal gathering and we have a good chat. I also go to the gym at Eastbourne hospital on a Saturday morning for an hour as exercise is one of the key things to do as it helps to protect the neurones that are left.
10
Newsletter No. 7 Summer 2020
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” By Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter (2008).
This quote sums up how I feel about the events we are living through. I may not be a rainbow, but I am part of a team that tries hard to help people to improve their wellbeing.
We are going through an unprecedented time of rapid change and uncertainty. The Covid-19 virus has caused fear, anxiety and uncertainty in patients and in the medical teams trying to look after them. You, our patients, have adapted to the changes and used our resources thoughtfully while being aware of the massive pressure on the NHS at present. We are very grateful to our team for their help and support.
From the beginning our team at Herstmonceux Integrative Health Centre has worked hard to continue to provide an excellent service to our patients while protecting the safety of all our patients and staff. We were told by NHS England to change to remote consultations, so we have adapted to mostly telephone or video consultations, with face-to-face consultations only when there is no suitable alternative. We wear our scrubs and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect both patients and staff. There have been many challenges to install, learn how to use, and become more comfortable with new technology such as video calls. I cheered when my first video call connected successfully!
I have enjoyed seeing more people out walking, running and cycling during the lockdown. I hope that many of you will continue with this daily exercise with proven benefits to health and wellbeing. You may have been on the receiving end of my “You will feel better with ten minutes’ walk every day.” advice in the past!
We are already thinking about what our service will look like when the lockdown starts to lift. It seems to us that some patients like our telephone and video consultations and that they might find these fit in better with busy lives than face-to-face appointments for some things. We will try to find a balance that enables timely access for all while excluding no-one. It will of course take some time for any changes to settle in and be fine-tuned, so please bear with us when we are able to start the new schedules.
Please remember that we are still here to support you and look after your wellbeing. Please do not ignore any serious symptoms you have; phone to book a telephone consultation or use the online consultation link on our website and we will give you advice and see you if necessary.
Keep safe, continue social distancing, and do your best to keep mentally and physically well.
Best wishes to you all, Dr Katy Dodge
A rainbow over the surgery.
CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS BY TEXT
With regard to appointment reminders sent by text from the Surgery, when and if you send CANCEL, could you please avoid adding any other text as we do not currently check SMS messages. The same applies to campaign messages, i.e. for flu clinics and Covid support.
APPOINTMENTS - WHAT WILL THE NEW ‘NORMAL’ LOOK LIKE?
As part of the COVID-19 plans, general practices had to put triage measures in place to reduce infection risk for patients and staff. One of those measures was to remove the option of booking appointments on-line to ensure we were able to triage all patients appropriately.
Telephone and video consultations are making up the highest percentage of consultations currently, with face to face appointments being offered by the clinicians where clinically required and there is no risk to patient or staff.
We are constantly reviewing capacity and demand, and discussing how schedules will look in the weeks and months to come. We will be looking to revert to a type of ‘normal’ as soon as guidance allows and we can ensure the safety of everyone.
As soon as we have any news on opening on-line appointments etc. we will inform patients via the website, emails, text messages etc. Please continue to phone in the first instance so that we can direct you to the most appropriate clinician.
ENGAGE - On-Line Consultations with our GPs
To be able to have an on-line consultation with one of our GPs, you need to first register with ENGAGE, which is part of the NHS Online Service, through the following link. https://wsp.psf-live.co.uk/#/login You can use this option to send in prescription enquiries, administration queries and any clinical queries that you would like an answer to.
If you submit your query before 11.00 am Mon – Friday you will receive a response from the team that day.
AccuRx - Video Consultations with our GPs
AccuRx is integrated within EMIS, our clinical system; it enables our clinical team to send a link to the patient for them to click onto and have a live video consultation via their SMART Phone, tablet, iPad, (but not a computer or laptop). Video consultations can be requested through reception.
LIVI - SEE A LIVI GP BY VIDEO
This service is available at weekends and evenings. During the Covid 19 crisis, the opening hours of this service have been extended to:
Monday to Friday: 9am – 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 4pm
LIVI is free to use and HIHC is a participating practice which means that your electronic medical records will be available for LIVI’s GPs. https://www.livi.co.uk/
Like your usual GP, LIVI GPs offer medical advice, prescriptions and referrals for a wide range of medical problems. You can usually see a GP in less than 30 minutes, or you can book ahead.
The key things to be aware of are:
· This facility is only available via an app on your mobile phone, tablet or iPad (not via a personal computer or laptop)
· You will need to take a photo of yourself when first registering for the service
· You will need to scan in either a passport photo or driving licence photo when registering
· LIVI is not available for children under 2
· This service is not delivered by your usual GPs
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT FROM ST. WILFRID’S HOSPICE
· In response to the Covid-19 crisis, St Wilfrid’s Hospice is temporarily extending adult bereavement support to the whole community, beyond those directly linked to the hospice.
· They recognise that this crisis affects all bereaved, whether their loved one died due to the virus, whether people have been unable to visit their loved one or whether grief feels particularly hard in these times where many of us are distanced and isolated.
· As far as they are able they will extend their bereavement support to all recently bereaved in our catchment area.
· People can self refer via their website https://www.stwhospice.org/Pages/Category/bereavement
· or ring 01323 434251 to ask for a call back regarding bereavement support. Their administrator will take basic details from you and then ask someone from their support team to be in touch.
· The link for professional referrals is here https://www.stwhospice.org/referral-form-and-criteria
· The Seahorse Project continues to accept referrals for bereaved children. https://www.stwhospice.org/1-to-1-bereavement-support
GENES & GREENS
Hate eating your greens? It may not be your fault, according to a US study. The research suggests that some of us have a gene that makes certain compounds in veg such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage taste bitter. The same gene also makes some of us averse to dark chocolate, coffee and beer.
Source: Lifespan magazine
FRIENDS AND FAMILY SURVEY TEXTS
Thank you to everyone, as ever, for their friends and family comments which in the main are excellent and give the team a real boost.
There are a couple of comments made by patients that we would like to respond to:
· For patients having trouble getting through on the phone at 8.30am the surgery now has an online consultation option to enable written queries, requests, information etc. to be sent to the surgery for responding to that day. To access this service please click on the “Online Consultations” link on the website. (See ENGAGE information page 2.)
· One person commented “Please stop sending me text surveys about your service which, by the way, is fine”
This refers to the Friends and Family Survey text (FFT) sent to patients after they attend an appointment. NHS England manage this survey and as such the repetition of texts is out of our hands; however NHSE have reduced the number of times they send a FFT request. The text can just be ignored if the patient wishes.
CAULIFLOWER
This photogenic vegetable goes from strength to strength, thanks to a slew of vitamins and minerals, as well as plant nutrients.
Native to the north-eastern Mediterranean, cauliflower is a good source of Vitamin C.
It also contains manganese and a wealth of sulphur-containing compounds, which help support the body’s cardiovascular, digestive, immune, inflammatory and detox systems.
Source: Lifespan magazine
Dr Rachel Harrison
I grew up just down the road, in Ringmer, and have spent most of my life near the South Downs.
After medical school in Oxford, I returned to Sussex and worked on the medical wards at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. After several years training in acute medicine and then oncology, I spent a year working in New Zealand and finally joined an expedition to Mount Everest to be the base camp doctor for a group of mountaineers, before returning to the UK to start my family.
Once back in the UK, I decided to train as a GP. I have now been working as a GP in and around Brighton for the last 11 years. I live in Lewes with my husband and 3 children and I still love to run, walk and cycle on the South Downs. Cycle touring is a great passion of mine and I am still riding the same Roberts touring bike that was made for me 25 years ago! I managed to persuade my whole family (including my 7 year old son) to cycle from Dieppe to Paris last summer, carrying our tents, which was my favourite summer to date. I practice yoga and mindfulness as much as I can and love to sing in a local natural voice choir.
I was so pleased to have the opportunity to join the team at HIHC this year and to work in a health centre that puts holistic care and true health and wellbeing at the heart of everything they do. I also love the focus we have on sustainability in health care and the wider community.
I love being a GP and having the opportunity to get to know and help people with their health over time. I believe continuity is one of the most important tools we have in primary care.
As well as working at HIHC, I also currently work as a school doctor and enjoy working with young people. However, I would say that I am a true generalist and like to tackle the whole range of problems that general practice can throw at us. I have recently volunteered with refugees in Calais and have an interest in working with migrant populations and those who have been displaced.
Although it has been an unusual start in a new role with the challenges of coronavirus, I am looking forward to settling in here!
ANOTHER ONE OF BILL BRYSON’S FASCINATING FACTS
PATIENT LINK GROUP/HERSTMONCEUX INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTRE
· CANCELLED EVENTS
What a difference one newsletter makes!! We were enthusiastic and full of energy when writing the last one, looking forward to our Castle Ceilidh and planning our picnic and walk in the woods! After all the planning and preparation, we had to cancel both events; but upon reflection it was the correct thing to do – it was only a week later that the Government put the lockdown in place. What a responsible lot we are……
Despite having to cancel, as a Patient Link Group working closely with the Practice we nevertheless feel it was a fantastic achievement and the best barn dance that never happened. We sold over 100 tickets and had everything well organised. So we are now world class barn dance planners – you can look forward to future ventures now we know we can do it. And we would not want to waste all those things we bought.
Meanwhile, we have been helping the Practice with various things from a distance but have not had any meetings. Only when it is safe to do so and the Practice is ready, will we be meeting up again.
BUT there is something YOU can do in the meantime. We agreed a set of objectives for us to work on with the Practice and one of these was a patient survey. This would be different from the friends and family survey you may reply to after a Practice visit. We want to know about you and what you want. When we get feedback directly from you it means we can drive the actions with the Practice to improve the experience for everyone.
A group of us will be constructing this in the near future. If you have any questions you think we should include please let me know – just email me or if you prefer WhatsApp or text me on 07555 538276.
Lynn Bowman, Chair of the Patient Link Group (PLG)
Tel: 07555 538276 Email: [email protected]
Race is one millimetre deep. Intrepidly attending the dissection of a corpse, Bryson quotes the surgeon who pulled back a minute layer of skin and said: “That’s all that race is – a sliver of epidermis.” As we spread across the world, some people are thought to have evolved lighter skin in order to glean vitamin D from weaker sunlight. Throughout human history, people have “de-pigmented” and “re-pigmented” to suit their environment.
Biologically, skin colour is just “a reaction to sunlight”, Bryson quotes the anthropologist Nina Jablonski as saying. She adds: “And yet look how many people have been enslaved or hated or lynched or deprived of fundamental rights through history because of the colour of their skin.” Source: Bill Bryson’s book “The Body – a Guide for Occupants”
LAUGHTER IS DEFINITELY THE BEST MEDICINE
Did you know there is such a thing as Laugher Yoga Classes?! Because our bodies apparently can’t tell the difference between fake and real laughter, laughter has real mood-lifting, stress-reducing and immune-boosting benefits.
HEALTH COACHING PROGRAMME
Due to Covid-19 our health coaches were no longer able to see patients face-to-face or run our weekly 10 step resilience programme. In order for us to continue to run the programme for patients we have made some adaptions and are now offering one to one health coaching sessions through Zoom/face time or land line calls, and our 10 Step resilience programme is hosted once a week through Zoom.
Currently this is available to all HIHC patients over 18 and if anyone is interested please email [email protected] for further information. We have over 50 patients on the current programme; some have their partners and family members joining in as well. Patients log into the Zoom weekly sessions which are totally anonymous and participants’ video links are switched off so they can see and hear the hosts but are not visible to anyone else.
Each week an email goes out to participants with details of the Zoom subject matter for that week - this includes handouts and exercises. We also offer each patient the opportunity to work one to one with our Health Coach as mentioned before. Working with the Health Coach can be on issues from bereavement, mental well-being to help with weight loss, isolation and self-esteem. The Health Coach Programme entitles participants to 2 hours of 1-1 coaching; one session for 1 hour followed by two subsequent sessions of 1/2 hour.
Patients that are referred to the Health Coach Project can also access our website where they are able to obtain further health information on movement, nutrition, breathing exercises and emotional resilience. Patients are also able to watch yoga videos, listen to meditation audios and access webinars with our Nutritionist - Jo Majithia.
VITALITY VILLAGES NEWS
Due to Covid-19, sadly all Vitality Villages activities have been suspended; but we will let people know as soon as we are able to all meet up again.
Herstmonceux Community Routes - Vitality Villages aim is to promote the health and well-being of the community of Herstmonceux and surrounding villages. To support this the Truggers group are working in collaboration with the E.S.C.C. Rights of Way team and the Parish Council to improve access to our local footpath network. In particular a number of local routes have been identified as Community Routes that would benefit the residents of the parish if they could be upgraded and better maintained. Routes near Cowbeech, Windmill Hill and Herstmonceux are being considered. In fact, if the project continues there is no reason why all footpaths in the parish could not become part of one or more Community Routes. So, what’s being done?
Footpath Clearance - Every Friday morning during spring, summer and autumn a small group of volunteers working under the authority of E.S.C.C. help clear footpaths, gates and stiles of obstructions including brambles and nettles, fallen and overhanging branches and all manner of encroaching vegetation. Our main work though is having a natter and putting the world to rights. We decide on which footpaths to tackle and how long we stay out. More volunteers are always welcome.
Stile Replacement - Traditional stiles can be very difficult to climb over if they are not well maintained. Even good stiles are problematic for those of us who have balance or joint issues. To improve access to footpaths we are looking to replace traditional stiles with either gates, kissing gates or ladder stiles. There is no one size fits all solution as terrain, landowner requirements and safety have their effects. The fallback solution however is a ladder stile. They fit neatly into the same space as traditional stiles and can be made stockproof. They are sturdy and relatively easy to negotiate with left and right handholds. And not least, they are constructed by The Men’s Shed based at the Bader International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle, which makes them by far the cheapest option.
Currently due to the Covid-19 restrictions all work is temporarily on hold. However, if you are interested in helping us out with either the Footpath Clearance group or the Stile Replacement group and would like to hear more details please don’t hesitate to contact Steve on 01323 833473. Or, if you are interested in the construction of ladder stiles and The Men’s Shed and would like to hear more about that contact Alan on 01323 833306.
JOKES – Please email any suitable jokes you may have to Bea Simmons: [email protected]
FUTURE NEWSLETTER ARTICLES Please email to:
Lynn Bowman (Editor) at [email protected]
or [email protected]
Herstmonceux Active
Exercise in the park is back every Friday (Herstmonceux rec) 6.30pm to 7.30pm – with options for gentle start lessons (big demand for easing back into exercise)… voluntary donation of £3, and taster sessions are free.
All ages, all sizes, all welcome.
24%
….. that’s the percentage by which your risk of dying from any cause could be reduced if you own a dog, says a US systematic review. The potentially life-stretching benefits could be due partly to increased physical activity from waking the dog, says the authors.
Source: Lifespan magazine
13 MILLION
…… that’s how many people in the UK are dangerously overweight, according to Diabetes UK. The Obesity Health Alliance is calling for the government to make reducing obesity a key priority, as well as protecting children from junk-food marketing and educating healthcare professionals.
Source: Lifespan magazine
All About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. It causes ongoing damage to the brain and affects the brain cells which produce dopamine. As the cells stop working it affects the movement of the body.
According to the NHS:
· Parkinson’s is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra area of the brain leading to a reduction in dopamine.
· The dopamine reduction is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
· It is unclear exactly what causes the loss of nerve cells.
· It is a progressive condition and there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s.
· Parkinson’s can affect anyone, although it is more prevalent in men aged 50 to 89. – unclear why
Key Stats:
· 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime
· Around 145,000 people in the UK are living with the condition, predicted to rise to more than 172,000 people by 2030
· Two people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every hour – 18,000 a year
· There are more than 40 symptoms of PD
· Ultimately, more than one million people are likely to be affected by the condition in the UK
What are the Main Symptoms?
· Each person living with the condition can experience symptoms differently.
· Symptoms can be categorised as motor and non-motor, and people may also experience mental health issues.
· Those symptoms most associated with Parkinson’s are tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement, though there is no ‘typical’ experience of Parkinson’s.
· Other motor symptoms include falls and dizziness; freezing (feeling stuck to the ground); muscle cramps and dystonia (unexpected contraction of muscles).
· Other non-motor symptoms include fatigue; low blood pressure; bladder and bowel problems; restless legs; sleep issues; eating, swallowing and saliva control problems; speech and communication problems; and eye problems.
· Mental health issues include mild memory and thinking problems; anxiety, dementia; depression; hallucinations and delusions.
Available Treatment Options
· People can live well with Parkinson’s on the correct treatment.
· Advances in treatments mean that many people now have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
· Physical therapy, medication, and for some people, surgery are available treatments.
· As every person experiences Parkinson’s differently, treatment is tailored to the individual. Often a combination of treatments work well which can take time to get right.
· Upon diagnosis most people are prescribed levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor depending on their age, lifestyle and symptoms.
· Parkinson’s treatments generally work to increase dopamine in the brain, act as a dopamine substitute or block enzymes that break down dopamine.
Source:
www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support
A Patient’s Perspective on Parkinsons
I was diagnosed when I was 55 in 2018. I was truly devastated and two years down the line I am still having difficulties coming to terms with my DIAGNOSIS. Many people believe it to be a disease that affects the elderly but it is not always just the elderly. It is a difficult disease to diagnose and I was misdiagnosed initially by a neurologist as being depressed and stressed. It took two years to finally get a diagnosis.
Back in 2016 I was crying a lot and feeling low. This was very out of character for me. I then noticed that I could not put my left foot in a shoe, I was unable to push my foot in. I then developed a frozen shoulder and I had treatment from a chiropractor. Things did not improve. I then began to get a pain in my left thigh when I was driving which was peculiar. The twitches then began all over my body. I had a urinary tract infection which I had never had before. Constipation was also a big problem.
I started to think I was going mad and felt no one believed me so I completed a mindfulness course. In the end I decided to pay to see another neurologist who diagnosed me within half an hour. One of the big things is you have a reduced or absent arm swing when you are walking. After talking to lots of people and reading lots of research there does seem to be some commonalities to look out for. I have listed tremor which is one of the commonest symptoms, but I did not present with a tremor. I think it is prudent to consider Parkinson’s if you have the following issues.
• Tremor
• Right or left sided weakness (I have left sided weakness)
• Frozen shoulder
• Feeling low and crying a lot
You may have one or all of these symptoms. Don’t forget everyone is different. For some people the first symptom may be that they lose their sense of smell and develop a ‘mask like’ appearance with their face.
Now I am on a journey that is no doubt very hard at times. Coming to terms with this illness Is also very hard for family and carers and consideration should be given to their needs. There is a lot of support out there, either on the internet or by post or joining groups. Parkinsons.org is extremely helpful as is the Michael J Fox foundation. There is an enormous amount of research being carried out to try and obtain a cure and to find more treatments. Most people will have access to a Parkinson’s nurse and they will keep in touch with you as needed. They seem to know everything in my opinion.
On a positive note, I have gained lots of friends I wouldn’t previously have known and I now go to a choir particularly for people with Parkinson’s. I attend a group at the Hydro hotel on the first Wednesday of each month from 1600-1800 hours which is an informal gathering and we have a good chat. I also go to the gym at Eastbourne hospital on a Saturday morning for an hour as exercise is one of the key things to do as it helps to protect the neurones that are left.
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