THE main cause of COPD is smoking; symptoms include breathlessness, chronic cough, regular phlegm production and frequent winter bronchitis or wheeze. It affects more than 9,000 people across south west Essex and some people are living with COPD without realising. This survey has been developed to discover patients’ experiences of current services, how effective and accessible these services are and to identify areas for improvement.
THURROCK Council was one of the first authorities in the country to agree to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control and on Wednesday (8 January) Leader Cllr John Kent put pen to paper. Smoking is a killer and particularly so in Thurrock where it accounts for more early deaths than any other cause.
THURROCK Council has won back the £1.1 million given to Essex County Council when Public Health services were transferred to local authorities from the NHS earlier this year. Thurrock complained that the Primary Care Trust (which covered the whole of SW Essex) spent more in Thurrock, in comparison, than in other areas it covered – Brentwood and Basildon.
A PACKED room of the leading track and field coaches across the county came to the Stanford-le-Hope branch of Cedar Hall Clinics to listen to a series of lectures about different aspects of human physique and the consequences before, during and after physical activity.
ESSEX has seen an increase in HIV cases over the last year, with Southend and Thurrock having some of the highest rates in the county, according to new figures. The statistics, published in a Public Health England Report, were released in the run up to National HIV Testing Week last week.
SOME basic advice that everyone can use includes: use paracetamol if you have a temperature caused by coughs, cold and flu paracetamol can also be used for pain relief for complaints such as earache, stomach ache, sore throats, general aches and sprains anti-diarrhoea and re-hydration mixtures for adults if they have an upset stomach get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids
THE number of HIV tests being carried out in Thurrock has increased year on year since 2009, however, not every eligible person took up the offer. In the lead up to this year’s World AIDS Day – 1 December – a national HIV Testing Week is running between 22 to 29 November. During the week, the Terence Higgins Trust is teaming up with other organisations across England to encourage gay men and African people in particular, to take an HIV test.
NEW figures show that 250 more people in Thurrock are living with diabetes than a year ago and the figure for 2020 is expected to rise by a further 1,600. The Thurrock Goup meets every month to support local people living with diabetes and raise awareness of the condition. A number of activities throughout the year also raise funds for the benefit of anyone with diabetes locally and donations are also made towards research projects.
NHS Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be holding its Governing Body meeting on 27th November 2013 at 10am. Members of the public are warmly invited to attend. The meeting will be held in the Main Hall at The Culver Centre, Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon, Essex. RM15 5RR.
FOLLOWING Tuesday (12 November) evening’s overview and scrutiny discussions on Thurrock’s Annual Public Health Report, portfolio holder Cllr Barbara Rice said it showed a “robust strategy to help reduce the unacceptable health inequalities”. Cllr Rice said: “The important news contained in the full report was overshadowed by silly errors in the short report given to full council last month.”
WITH more than one out of every 10 people admitting they have used A&E departments when they knew they didn’t need to, it’s no surprise that hospitals are reporting increasing numbers of people are using A&E every year when there are more suitable health services available to them.
PREGNANT women and mothers are invited to have their say about NHS-funded maternity services. NHS England has this week begun asking the Friends and Family Test (FFT) question in every NHS maternity unit across the country including both Basildon and Southend Hospital. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across south Essex are encouraging all local residents to take part in the survey to help them to monitor the quality of local maternity services.
THE AWARD-winning Cedar Hall Clinics based at Stanford-le-Hope and Benfleet has a new addition to its team. James DeCiccio comes armed with a Masters degree and with rich experience of treating injuries.YT sat down with James to talk about the services he provides.
NHS Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be holding its Governing Body meeting on 30th October 2013 at 10am. Members of the public are warmly invited to attend. The meeting will be held in the Main Hall at The Culver Centre, Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon, Essex. RM15 5RR.
