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News from the Lancashire Gujarat Health Users' Forum.
- Looking After Your Eyes
- Holistic Update and Forthcoming Events
- LGHUF Acknowledged in Royal Society for Public Health Publication
New
Health Mela Poster Now Available- Holistic Complementary Medicine Lecture
- 2012 Health Mela and Preston Guild
- Preston Medics go to London for Community Health Check
- HLC3 Master Ceremony at Alston Hall
- GHS Holistic Group Activities
- 2011 Health Mela
- Sponsored Fire-Walk
- Hepatitis B & C
- View the Health Mela Newsletter Online
- Download the 2010 Health Mela Programme
- Free Support for Adult Carers
- The LGHUF Melas - A Medical Student's Perspective
- See the 2009 Health Mela Video
- Bolton's First LGHUF Health Mela
- Health Seminar Programme
- Weight Loss
- Dental Care
- Strokes
- Pathology & Immunology
- Allergy Information & Advice
- Complementary Medicine - an Introduction
- Gold Award for Prof. Romesh Gupta OBE
- News Archive
Looking after your eyes is very important, not least because the early detection of symptoms can often help to ensure that more serious conditions don't develop. To explain this in more detail, Dr Abha Gupta (StR) of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh, has produced an informative article that looks at the warning signs of many common problems and what can be done to treat them. The article also considers the question of free eye tests and the many kinds types of people who are eligible for free tests.
The document can be downloaded here as a PDF. (179kB).
Holistic Update and Forthcoming Events for 2012
2011 was an eventful year for the Holistic Living Group. In addition to the achievements of its students (see below), it also took part in a series of lectures, conferences and even an Eye Health camp in Madhi village in South Gujarat. These and other impressive achievements are detailed in a short document, produced by JaiShri Mistry, a copy of which you can download here as a PDF document (102kb). The same document also provides a list of some of the many interesting events that will be taking place in 2012.
LGHUF Acknowledged in Royal Society for Public Health Publication
The work of the Lancashire Gujarat Health Users' Forum has received further recognition in the form of an article in the society's magazine, "Perspectives in Public Health". A copy of the article can be downloaded here. (PDF 795kb).
New 2012 Health Mela Poster Now Available
A new poster for the 2012 Health Mela has just been completed and should be appearing at public sites shortly.
This year's Mela is one of the most notable health promotion events in the Preston Guild Year and will include a wide variety of health related displays. Key features include:
- Free personal tests including measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, blood sugar and blood cholestrol
- Personal and confidential health counselling including healthy living advice
- Many activities for children including wii, make your own smoothy cycle, face painting, fun activities and competitions
- Refreshments
- Displays, presentations and dance
- A great opportunity to meet people
- Free to attend
To see a larger version of the poster, please click here.
Holistic Complementary Medicine Lecture
We recently reported that ten students had qualified as Masters of Holistic Lifestyle Coaching. At the event, Christine Anscough gave an interesting presentation on the subject of Holistic Complementary Medicine, a copy of which is reproduced here as a PDF. Please click here to download it.
2012 Health Mela and Preston Guild
The date of the 2012 Health Mela has been set. It will take place on 21st April and, because 2012 is the year of Preston Guild, it will be held at the Guild Hall in Preston rather than its usual venue. Preston City Council is supporting the event.
However, 2012 will be unusual in that it will see not one but two Health Melas taking place within the county. The second will be held at Leyland Civic Hall on 22nd September in partnership with Leyland Rotary Club.
More details will be published shortly.
Preston Medics go to London for Community Health Check
14
undergraduate medical students based at Lancashire Teaching Hospital undertook
a public health check in Redbridge Town Hall, East London under the supervision
of Prof Satyan Rajbhandari & Prof Romesh Gupta on 24th Sep 2011. They
were invited by local organisers of ‘Sewa Week’ because of
their expertise in running such events. Preston based medical students
have formed a group called the ‘Health Olympics’ which regularly
conducts such events in Lancashire, and it is clear that the reputation
of this event and of the Health Mela approach to community healthcare
is growing nationally.
Prof Satyan Rajbhandari, Diabetes consultant based at Lancashire Teaching Hospital said, “This invitation to London confirms the value of such service to improve the health of community. Medical students learn a great deal from such events about prevention of disease and how to deal with middle aged people who do not have time to go to doctors but are concerned about their health.”
Prof Romesh Gupta, Consultant Physician based at the same hospital said, “There is a need for doctors and medical students to be involved in community programme and such events make people from ethnic minority more aware of their health.”
This event was attended about 500 people. People above the age of 45 were invited for ‘Health Screening’ to measure their height, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol. Their results were discussed by the team of expert medical students and were shown their life time risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. 57 people, mostly of South Asian origin undertook this and the Preston team found 2 cases of high blood pressure, 3 cases of high cholesterol and 2 cases of diabetes. The individuals concerned were referred to their own doctors for further management.
HLC3
Master Ceremony at Alston Hall
On Sunday 4th September 2011, ten students appeared at Alston Hall near Preston to be presented with certificates confirming that they were now recognised as Masters of Holistic Lifestyle Coaching. They had each successfully completed a five year course, which examines a wide range of factors affecting an individual's wellbeing, from their mind and emotions to issues such as lifestyle, diet and exercise.
The Lancashire Gujarat Health Users' Forum would like to congratulate all those who took part.
Please click here to download the fifth issue of the GHS Holistic Group activities report, including a summary of feedback and upcoming events for the coming months. The idea is to record and communicate what's been happening and what's going on. The file is in PDF format (89k).
This unique event celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and, as ever, it was held at the GHS Centre on South Meadow Lane in Preston. It had originally been planned for an earlier date in May but had to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances.
A video of the event can be seen on the Lancashire One website.
You can view a large version of the 2001 Health Mela poster here or by clicking the image on the right.
A
PDF presentation about the 2011 Health Mela can be downloaded here.
(PDF - 2.4 MB.)
The same presentation can be viewed here as a PowerPoint presentation. (PPSX - 4 MB.)
On Sunday 30th January, GHS President Ishwer Tailor took part in an unusual fund-raising event - a sponsored fire-walk at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Walking barefoot and braving a pathway of glowing hot coals, he was able to raise an impressive £400 for the Galloway Blind Society and Harris Bursary funds. A thankfully uninjured Ishwer returned and he would now like to thank everyone who sponsored him.
A video of the event can be viewed here on the organiser's Facebook page, and more pictures and comments relating to the event can be found here.
The human liver performs several important functions in the body, producing proteins and sugars for other organs to use, storing nutrients and breaking down chemicals that the body cannot use. The most common cause of liver disease is viral hepatitis, which can have serious and far reaching effects on human health.
NHS Central Lancashire has produced two PowerPoint presentations that explain more about two of the most common forms of Hepatitis - B and C. You can download both presentations below.
Hepatitis B (2.6MB)
Hepatitis C (1.5MB)
The presentations explain the most common routes of transmission, typical symptoms and characteristics of the diseases, as well as information about prevention, vaccination, diagnosis, screening and treatments.
View the Health Mela Newsletter Online
The
Lancashire Gujarat Health Users' Forum has produced a four page newsletter
for all those interested in the Health Mela and the work of GHS Enterprise.
In it, you will find:
- A review of the 2010 Health Mela
- Facts and figures from this year's event
- Voices of support from leading figures in healthcare
- A profile of GHS Enterprise
- Information about GHS Enterprise's role in education
- Photographs of the mela and other recent events
- Contact details for key staff at the GHS Centre.
The newsletter can be download here as a PDF document.
Download the 2010 Health Mela Programme
The
full programme for the 2010 Health Mela is now available for downloading.
(Click here to download.
PDF - 4MB.)
The brochure includes a message from the chairman, Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, and from chief guest, Mike Cheshire - Medical Director for NHS North West and Department of Health North West. There are also messages of support from - amongst many others - Joe Rafferty, Chief Executive of NHS Central Lancashire; Tony Curtis, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; and Stuart Heys, Chairman of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
It features a health-check form and gives details of the programme. It also provides information about the various workshops that were held as part of the event, as well as the programme of health seminars that are routinely held at the GHS Centre throughout the year.
Other contents include information about risk factors fro heart disease, fun word-searches for children, and information about encouraging healthy dietary and lifestyle habits from an early age.
Faith groups in Lancashire are being asked to get involved in a programme designed to help and support all adult carers.
Caring
with Confidence is a free programme being delivered by Omega
in partnership with the Blackburn-based support organisation, Enterprise4All.
The programme helps carers to improve their own health and wellbeing and
that of the person they care for. It provides help in accessing the services
and benefits available to them as well as practical advice on caring.
There is a programme for all adult carers as well as one specifically
for carers of people nearing the end of life, which includes three sessions
dealing with bereavement issues.
The first session, Finding Your Way, an introduction to the programme, was held on Tuesday 20th April 2010 at Ma’ida Restaurant in Blackburn.
Omega and Enterprise4All are committed to working with local organisations, including all faith groups, to ensure as many carers as possible are made aware of this opportunity.
The two organisations are also interested in recruiting facilitators to deliver the sessions and in finding suitable venues to hold the sessions. For more information on how carers can access the Caring with Confidence programme, please phone 0845 259 3163 or email carers@omega.uk.net.
The LGHUF Melas, A Medical Student’s Perspective
The
Lancashire Gujarat Health Users Forum has been hosting an annual Health
Mela in Preston for nine years now. For the last five years the medical
students at Royal Preston Hospital have participated as volunteers, performing
health checks on members of the community who attend. During this time
the event has gone from strength to strength and the format is now being
emulated in a number of local centres. The health checks are a very popular
part of the events with those who attend, with data accumulated and feedback
over the years showing that participants have benefited from the advice
and interventions of the volunteers.
From the perspective of the students who volunteer it is a fantastic experience, both rewarding and educational. Students are currently given the opportunity to participate from third year when they begin their clinical studies, and every year we have had an encouragingly large number offer their help. The days provide a perfect opportunity for the students to put into practice a number of skills that are a very important part of medical education. The students are supported by senior doctors and offer counselling to patients on their risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, both issues which have a significant impact on the resources of the NHS and the lives of patients and families affected. Volunteering at the events necessitates a working knowledge of the processes and management of these common diseases which is cemented by the process of independent consultations. In a practical sense, the diversity of the population who present to the events necessitates communicating important health advice and test results across language barriers and to patients with all levels of medical knowledge from a variety of backgrounds.
Communication skills in particular are a vital part of the doctor-patient relationship and are part of the core components of medical education as set out by the General Medical Council. As a result of this there is a new emphasis on the teaching of communication skills within the University course, with protected sessions for teaching students effective communication. This skill is fundamental to the practice of good medicine and extends beyond communication with the patient to interactions with all colleagues and allied health professionals. The diversity of the groups involved in the event also provides a valuable insight into breadth of services available in the community, an aspect of medical education which is often overlooked.
On a personal level, co-ordinating the student volunteers over the past three years has enabled me to learn from the very organised team who carefully plan the events at the monthly meetings throughout the year and immediately preceding the Melas. I will take these valuable experiences with me as I leave Preston to begin my Foundation training, and hope to be a part of similar events in the future.
Katherine Lang-Stevenson, 5th year student Royal Preston Hospital.
An 8 minute video has recently been completed that shows the 2009 Health Mela. It includes interviews with leading healthcare professionals and LGHUF representatives and it can be seen in its entirety either on our About the Forum page or on YouTube (please click here - link opens in a new window).
Bolton's First LGHUF Health Mela
On
Saturday 24th October, the LGHUF hosted its first Health Mela in Bolton.
It was the first such event to be held outside Preston but in most other respects, it followed a very similar formula. It ran between 10am and 4pm with free entrance, and it gave visitors a chance to learn about a wide range of healthcare issues and services including blood tests for diabetes and cholesterol and 'healthy living' workshops.
Details can be found on our events page.
Health Seminars & workshops for 2009 - 2010
The 2009 - 2010 programme of health seminars and workshops has now been announced. Details can be found on our events page.
In the UK, one of the biggest threats to health and well being is obesity. In an article entitled "How to lose weight naturally", Ravi Bhanot points out that there is no special pill that will shed all excess weight from the body. For any diet to work in the long term, it has to revolve the staple diet and should be developed with holistic principles in mind. The article can be downloaded here as a PDF. (File size 81k.)
Looking after your teeth is important - and not just because it helps to avoid toothache and to maintain a healthy smile. Our latest informative article looks at the question of dental hygiene and oral problems that range from bleeding gums to mouth cancer. To find out more, please download the document here. (Word format: 38k). Our thanks go to Rachel Aspinall and Arun Vithlani for their work on this article.
Strokes can be debilitating and may have life-changing effects. They are the single biggest cause of disability in the UK and the third most common cause of death. One of their most disturbing characteristics is that they can sometimes strike without any apparent warning, but as our PowerPoint presentation explains, there are things that can be done to reduce the risks. For more information, please download the presentation here. (PPT format: 43k.) We are grateful to Professor R. Gupta OBE for producing this presentation.
The NHS Pathology Service employs 25,000 staff in the UK and performs a wide variety of roles. The Lancashire & Lakeland Immunology Service is located in the Pathology Department of Royal Preston Hospital and is the fourth largest of its kind in the UK. To find out more , you can click here to download a copy of a PowerPoint presentation that explains the department's work and functions. (File size 3.3MB).
Allergies will normally be experienced by about one in four people in the UK and their effects can range from minor irritations to life-threatening conditions. It is therefore important to be aware of what they are, how they can affect you and how doctors can test for allergic reaction. To read more, please click here to see a new poster that explains the most common symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of allergies. (This opens in a new window.)
Complementary Medicine - an Introduction
'Complementary medicine' is a phrase that is well known to many people but how exactly does it fit with what we often tend to think of as 'conventional' medicine and the work of NHS professionals?
To answer this question, Ravindra Shah from the steering group of the Lancashire Gujarat Health Users' Forum has put together a short overview of complementary medicines, which can be downloaded here as a Word document. (File size: 26k.) In it, he lists the most popular therapies and explains that complementary medicines and their associated treatments aim to stimulate the body's own self-healing abilities.
Gold
Award for Prof. Romesh Gupta OBE
On behalf of Gujarat Hindu Cultural Society and the committee members of Lancashire Gujarat Health Users Forum, we would like to congratulate Professor Romesh Gupta for receiving the "Gold Award", which has been made in recognition of his sustained and dedicated contribution to the NHS over and above any contractual requirements.
We are sure that with his record of achievement, Prof. Gupta will continue to be an example and inspiration to others, helping the NHS to continue to meet patients' needs, ensuring that the care they receive is truly excellent.
The decision to make this award has been made by various committees of medical colleagues, Health Service managers and public-patient partnerships. This is a public acknowledgement of Prof. Gupta's expertise and continued high quality of work and the award is an honour for which he can feel justly proud.
Ishwer Tailor MBE (President of GHS)
Ravindra A. Shah (LGHUF Committee member)
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