Health & Wellbeing

Premium bar and restaurant, The Alchemist are not ones to shy away from supporting great causes and will be doing their bit to raise awareness for men’s mental health this month.

This June The Alchemist are exclusively partnering with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) charity, in support of its movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.

Famed for theatrical, immersive experiences, The Alchemist has created a limited edition drinks menu including four Woodford Reserve based cocktails which will be available throughout June.

In addition, the Alchemist has pledged to donate £1 to CALM for every Golden Apple sold from the limited edition menu in support of the great cause. The menu includes devilishly delightful concoctions such as the Summer Salad, a savoury but sweet drink as well as the Dark F consisting of Woodford Reserve, blackberry liqueur, apple cider, purple smoke.

There can be a stigma around the topic of mental health, especially in the male community and The Alchemist wants to help change that. Throughout the month The Alchemist will also be posting bios from their male team members, about their experiences and how they combat stress / anxiety. What's more, we have organised some epic events to celebrate & raise awareness.

So what are you waiting for? Get down to your nearest Alchemist to try the new limited edition menu and support a very worthy cause.

New online research from Diabetes UK, to mark the start of Diabetes Week 2018 (11 – 17 June), has revealed that one in three people in the Midlands (33 per cent) would seek advice online first over talking to a GP about a health concern.

The poll, carried out by YouGov on behalf of Diabetes UK, also showed that just one in five (21 per cent) of respondents said they would feel comfortable speaking to an employer about health concerns. While three quarters of people (73 per cent) said they would feel comfortable talking about a friend or loved one’s health condition, only 62 per cent said they’d feel comfortable talking to friends or loved ones about their own health.

The theme for Diabetes Week 2018 is Talk About Diabetes, and Diabetes UK is taking the opportunity to help people with diabetes have honest, open conversations about their condition with healthcare professionals, friends and family.

In light of these findings, Diabetes UK has produced a list of top tips to encourage people with diabetes to have conversations they may have been avoiding having with their healthcare professional team.

Diabetes UK’s top tips for people with diabetes talking to healthcare professionals:

·         Diabetes is complicated and different for everyone. There’s no such thing as a silly question. So don’t be afraid to ask about whatever’s on your mind.

·         It’ll really help if you go to your appointment with some questions in mind. You could write them down or send them to your healthcare team beforehand.

·         This time is for you, so let your healthcare team know what you’d like to talk about from the start.

·         Sometimes you’ll have more to talk about and you might need more time. If you can, book a double appointment so you don’t have to rush.

·         There might be things you feel uncomfortable talking about. But your healthcare team is there to help, so be honest and make the most of their medical expertise.

Peter Shorrick is Regional Head, Midlands and East, at Diabetes UK. He said:

“Talking about diabetes can be hard. But for someone living with the condition, or caring for someone who does, it can mean getting the right treatment, ensuring your rights are protected at work, or making sure your child gets the best care at school. That’s why being able to talk about diabetes, and having people to talk to about the condition, is so important.

“This diabetes week we want to help people live better with diabetes, by giving them tools and tips to start tricky conversations, and get the support they really need.

“Finding information online about diabetes can be tricky, too, and risky if you don’t know where to start. We’d recommend using the Diabetes UK website, or our helpline, if you want to be signposted to expert advice about living with or managing any aspect of diabetes.”

An earlier survey of more than 8,000 people living with or affected by diabetes carried out by Diabetes UK showed that greater support for emotional and psychological health; better access to healthcare professionals who understand diabetes; and more support and understanding at work and school were priorities for those affected by the condition.

To support this, the charity has also developed tips to help healthcare professionals sensitively approach conversations with their patients living with diabetes, as well as to help the public start a conversation with someone they know who has the condition.

Diabetes UK’s Tips for Healthcare Professionals include:

·         Some things are hard to talk about and that’s fine. Just be frank and use clear, simple language. It’ll help both you and your patient feel more relaxed and comfortable.

·         Sometimes there’s a lot to talk about in an appointment, and you might need more time. You could suggest booking a double appointment next time and highlight other ways to get in touch, such as email. Don’t forget about our helpline that’s there to offer support as well.

·         Your patient is more than just a number. By understanding their day-to-day lives you can help them manage their diabetes better. A simple question about their favourite hobby or weekend plans can often build rapport and make a huge difference.

In order to get people talking this Diabetes Week, Diabetes UK is also asking people to share their own tips about having difficult conversations. Get involved and share your tips on the website www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetesweek or on social media using the hashtag #talkaboutdiabetes.

*The survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Diabetes UK on 31st May - 1st June 2018. Total sample size was 2072 adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

University of Wolverhampton students were tasked with creating posters designed to save lives in a collaborative project recently.

Sixteen students studying for a degree in Graphic Design at the Wolverhampton School of Art were given a design brief to create a winning poster to promote organ donation that has special appeal to young people for local community group, Promoting Organ Donation (POD UK).

The collaboration between the University, City of Wolverhampton Council, POD UK, NHS Blood and Transplant and partners at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust saw the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing team up to organise the poster project.

POD UK is a community group that meets quarterly at the University to discuss issues in organ donation, planning campaigns, events and publicity.

Students were mentored by Professor Magi Sque, Chair in Clinical Practice & Innovation in the University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, who talked to them about her organ donation research and offered advice about their work from a client perspective.

Marc Austin, Course Leader in Graphic Design at the University, said: “We are extremely proud of our students and the course engagement throughout this collaborative initiative. Being able to provide hands-on experience with a real-life creative brief is vital for students when they are learning and this project offered a wealth of expertise from all kinds of areas which has been channelled into some really creative work.”

Professor Magi Sque said:  “Members of the panel who reviewed the poster designs were extremely impressed by the quality of work with some remarking that they were excellent concepts and beautiful designs.  It’s been a real pleasure to see this project come to life and to see how engaged the students are in the subject matter.”

The student work was unveiled at a special event held in the Mayor of Wolverhampton’s Parlour where former Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands and Patron of POD, Paul Sabapathy awarded certificates and prizes to the students in the presence of the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page and Dr Satya Sharma MBE, Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.

The winner was Andre Howe who was awarded £200 for the winning design with runners up, Sam Chambers and Lennie Finch who were awarded £100 each.  The winning design may be used as part of a national awareness campaign.

Sam Chambers, Graphic Design student from Halesowen who clinched one of the awards, said: "This was a really interesting project to work on as it wasn't just about making things look nice, it was designing something that could make a real difference.  I'd like a career in advertising and this kind of real life project is great for my CV and will really help when I start to look for a job after graduation later this year."

Students that took part in the design competition were Ethan Bayton, Gary Cartlidge, Sam Chambers, Chris Cooper, Georgia Cox, Carlene Davis, Jaseera Douglas, Lennie Finch, Josh Hinkins, Andre Howe, Mohammed ‘Taf’ Hussain, Fabian Lacek, Billy-Dean Lawrence, Almas Mukadam, Sophie O’Dwyer and Danielle Poole.

With an estimated 3 million middle-aged adults physically inactive across the country,  and 43% of 40-60 years olds in the West Midlands not managing at least 10 continuous minutes each month, Public Health England (PHE) and the    Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) are encouraging adults to incorporate brisk walking into their days as a way to improve their general health and wellbeing.

As part of the push to get adults doing more moderate intensity physical activity each day, health experts are encouraging people to increase the intensity of their walking, rather than just focus on the distance or number of steps.

Moderate intensity physical activity means getting the heart rate up and breathing faster. Just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is an easy way for adults to introduce more moderate intensity physical activity into their day and reduce their risk of early death by up to 15%.

To help adults do this, PHE’s ‘Active 10’ app has been created and it is the only app of its kind that combines intensity and time, rather than just distance.

Taking a 10 minute brisk walk each day can help build up towards the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) recommendation of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. This has been linked to health benefits including a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

A new survey by PHE looking at adults perceptions of physical activity in the West Midlands found that:

• Many adults struggle to fit in exercise, in the West Midlands, 35% say not enough time is the main reason, followed by 32% not feeling motivated, and 23% being too tired
• Over half (56%) of adults in the region think more than 240 minutes of exercise per week is required to see general health benefits – nearly double the recommended guidance of at least 150 minutes – and 19% in the West Midlands think that more than 420 minutes per week is required (an hour per day)
• Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) adults in the region say they walk more than 10 minutes per day, however this drops to just over half (51%) who say they walk briskly for this amount of time.

Dr Lola Abudu, Director for Health and Wellbeing at PHE West Midlands, said: “We all lead busy lives, but summer is the perfect time of year to spend more time outside and be more active. The good news is that just 10 minutes of brisk walking every day can really benefit your health in many ways; improving your mood and reducing the risks of serious long-term health conditions like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Brisk walking is simply walking at a pace that gets your heart pumping faster and makes you feel slightly out of breath, and research shows it’s the combination of the intensity of activity and how long you are active that leads to health benefits.

“The Active 10 app is the first free app to show you when you are walking fast enough and long enough to get health benefits. It shows how much brisk walking you are doing, where you can increase your pace and how you can fit more Active 10s into your day. The app also sets goals and provides hints and tips to keep you going, so you can walk your way to a healthier you.”

Julia Wagstaff, manager at Edgbaston Community Centre, Birmingham, runs activities for local community members of all ages and abilities, she said: “It’s quite shocking to learn that 3 million middle-aged adults, age 40-60, in this country are not getting any exercise whatsoever. Sadly, as they get older their health problems will increase, unless they do something about this now.

“At Edgbaston Community Centre, we recognise the importance of keeping communities healthy. We run weekly health and wellbeing clubs and our members think the Active 10 app is a fantastic way to get busy people – who say they don’t have time to exercise and those not accustomed to exercise – to get fit and healthy. People can walk briskly and increase their heart rate anywhere, in the park with friends, during the school run, or in the garden. The app is a great way to keep people motivated, and they can even compare notes with friends, family members and their partners.”

Professor Sir Muir Gray, Clinical Adviser for the Active 10 app and One You campaign, said: “The additional health benefits that can be achieved by walking at a brisk pace for periods of 10 minutes or more – as opposed to totting up a certain number of steps throughout the day – are undeniable.

“I’d advise anyone of any age and activity level to start to fit in at least one 10 minute brisk walk a day as a simple way to get more active, especially those who may be taking medication for a long term health condition – you will receive even more benefits from walking briskly for 10 minutes or more a day.”

Dr Zoe Williams, GP and RCGP Clinical Champion for Physical Activity and Lifestyle, said: “GPs want their patients to be healthy and enjoy life, and there are simple ways in which we can all improve our health. I often encourage my patients to take up more daily physical activity, which can start with just a 10 minute brisk walk – it would be great to see more people doing this across the country. Moving more is an important step forward to improving the health of the nation and looking after our NHS, which is often overburdened by lifestyle related illness.”

Already more than 30,600 people in the West Midlands have downloaded the   ‘Active 10’ app and in a single month, approximately 90,025 ‘Active 10s’ (10-minute brisk walks) were completed by Active 10 users.

‘Active 10’ is supported by the RCGP and was developed by PHE in collaboration with The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. Join the 600,000 people across the country who have downloaded ‘Active 10’ and make the first step towards a healthier you. Search ‘Active 10’ to download the app for free.

Twenty apprentices are being recruited to deliver sports, health and wellbeing programmes in Wolverhampton schools.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has worked with ConnectEd Partnership and Active Black Country to establish the Community Sport and Health apprenticeships – and people are being invited to apply for the posts now.

The successful candidates will complete a Level 3 apprenticeship while delivering fun, inclusive and challenging health and wellbeing programmes focusing on healthy eating, physical activity and sport within local primary, secondary and special schools.

As well as working with pupils and staff within participating schools, the apprentices will also work in the local community, encouraging families to live healthy and active lives.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are working hard to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people, and this innovative programme will help pupils achieve healthier lifestyles and get their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity."

Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, added: "This is an excellent opportunity for young people who are passionate about sport, physical activity and healthy lifestyles to take that first step on the career ladder through an apprenticeship which will not only give them valuable skills and a nationally-recognised qualification, but also a weekly wage."

Applicants must have a passion for physical activity and healthy lifestyles and able to encourage and motivate others to do well. They also require GCSEs at grades C or 4 and above in English and Maths.

Successful candidates will earn £150 per week, gain a Level 3 qualification and receive paid holiday and pension. A dedicated mentor will also support them in their role.

The full misery of surviving summer in Britain with hay fever has been revealed – leaving exhausted sufferers stuck indoors with the doors and windows shut.

The condition means a third (33%) of hay fever sufferers in the West Midlands are forced inside during summer, with 44% avoiding outdoor sports and nearly half (48%) saying it ruins summer for them completely.

With an estimated 18m hay fever sufferers in the UK, over six in ten (62%) of those surveyed in the West Midlands endure sleepless nights.

Double World Champion hurdler Colin Jackson, who had to drop a promising cricket career because of hay fever said: “Hay fever is awful.

“You don’t want to be outdoors - at the best time of year to be outdoors - sleep is a pain because you can’t open the windows at night and your eyes are so itchy you want to dig them out, wash them and put them back in.”

The survey, carried out by Atomik Research for ASDA Pharmacy, revealed that, for hay fever sufferers in the West Midlands:

·         Eighty-six per cent say they never research pollen levels when going away

·         Seven in ten (70%) said others do not understand their condition – against a national average of 54%

·         A third (33%) of hay fever sufferers are forced to spend the whole summer with the windows and doors shut to keep pollen out

Over half (54%) of hay fever sufferers say they have more than three nights of disturbed sleep each week.

More than a third (35%) find runny noses, itchy eyes and a persistent cough mean they struggle to concentrate at work with 17% forced to take time off work because of hay fever.

Over a quarter (27%) say their condition makes it difficult to enjoy the summer sun with their children.

Colin Jackson CBE, who took gold in the 110m hurdles at the 1993 and ’94 World Championships, said: “I used to play cricket for my county as a teenager. When the cricket season began I was excited – but my eyes weren’t.

“Being in a field from May onwards when you suffer from hay fever is bound to be a problem – but I was opening the bowling and batting at number five – and there was not enough time to get my itchy, streaming eyes under control.

“So, I decided to focus on athletics, which is generally a bit later in the season and doesn’t make me suffer as much.

“I suffer hay fever caused by both grass and tree pollen – so it’s a double whammy. I’m never sure whether my eyes or nose suffer worse – your eyes are itchy but your running nose gets so sore.

“I am constantly having to shut the windows in summer when it’s windy so the pollen doesn’t blow inside and I end up listening to the pollen forecasts more than the weather.

“It’s like having a cold – but a continuous cold that lasts for five months.”

ASDA Pharmacist Maq Din added: “There is currently no cure for hay fever and you can’t prevent it but you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.

“Staying cooped up inside is not a realistic way of living your life and avoiding hay fever symptoms but there are a few steps you can take to keep yourself protected if you’re venturing outdoors.

“These can include eye drops and nasal sprays, something as simple as wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes and showering or changing your clothes after you’ve been outside to wash off the pollen.”

Members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) will be hosting events throughout the UK promoting herbal medicine and its benefits. The events offered vary from guided herb walks and herbal workshops, to presentations and talks. Some members also offer free or discounted services and products throughout this week.

Many plants generally considered to be weeds actually have health benefits. By attending an organised herb walk a member of NIMH will share this knowledge, pointing out which plants have these benefits, how to identify them, teach people about how herbalists use them and for what health conditions, plus give suggestions on how to safely use some of these plants at home. Herbal workshops demonstrate methods on how to make remedies at home for family and friends, and often attendees can take home preparations that they have made. These events are fun as well as educational, as people are often amazed at what they can do for themselves in order to help maintain good health.

Herbal Medicine Week 2018 is from the 16th to the 24th June, and for more information check out their website at https://www.herbalmedicineweek.co.uk/

National estate agents Leaders is set for a week-long fundraiser in order to support its charity partner Teenage Cancer Trust.

The property specialist’s 125 branches across the UK, as well as its head office in Worthing, will take part in special activities and events from 11th June to raise money for the good cause.

Among the fundraising efforts due to take place are cake sales, raffles, sponsored walks, competitions, games and long-distance runs.

Allison Thompson, managing director (lettings) at Leaders, says: “We are all looking forward to our fundraising week for Teenage Cancer Trust, during which we hope to raise the majority of our £50,000 target for the year.

“Just as they have in previous years, I know our colleagues from across the country will come together to tackle a range of fantastic challenges and raise plenty of money in a variety of innovative and imaginative ways.

“Teenage Cancer Trust supports thousands of people aged between 13 and 24 who are diagnosed with cancer. We have seen its invaluable work first hand and are committed to showing as much support as possible.”

Sian Cooper, Teenage Cancer Trust’s regional fundraiser, says: “We can’t wait to see how Leaders is going to be raising money for young people with cancer over the course of their fundraising week. Everyone at Leaders has been so dedicated to helping us reach every young person with cancer and we can’t thank them enough.”

Leaders named Teenage Cancer Trust as its new charity partner in January 2018 and is aiming to raise £50,000 on its behalf this year. The charity runs 28 specialist units in the UK designed to care for young people living with cancer, as well as their loved ones.

Staffordshire residents Ian Davies and Katie Berger have been awarded the ‘inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future’ award at this year’s Advancing Healthcare Awards (AHA).

Ian is a lecturer in biomedical science at Staffordshire University. Katie is a biomedical scientist at the University Hospitals of North Midlands. Both are members of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Ian and Katie received the IBMS-sponsored AHAward for ‘inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future’. They were awarded for their project, ‘Sustainable workforce planning through healthcare science degree apprenticeships’.

This curriculum established a part-time training route that would enable support staff to train as biomedical scientists, linked to the new degree apprenticeship standards.

Ian explained, “Utilising the Trust apprenticeship levy to fund the degree means that this now provided a financially sustainable way for Trusts to develop their own staff and offer an alternative route into degree education which enhances social mobility and widens participation in health education – it is targeted at staff who may have lacked the formal qualification or the opportunity to access university education in the traditional ‘post school’ format.

For us, the value is also the wider connection that this demonstrates between the university and NHS Trusts; by identifying employer need and then working with Trust colleagues to design a programme that is fit for purpose is exactly what our Connected University philosophy is all about.”

Katie said, “I am extremely honoured to have received this award on behalf of the University Hospitals of North Midlands in conjunction with Ian Davies from Staffordshire University. We have worked closely together to establish an innovative healthcare science degree to enable the best medical laboratory assistants and associate practitioners to study within their workplace to become biomedical scientists through an apprenticeship scheme.

To be acknowledged with this award for inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future, sponsored by the IBMS, is fantastic. I am absolutely over the moon, working with Staffordshire University was fantastic and now to be recognised formally is a wonderful feeling.

Personally, I am genuinely humbled. It was a fantastic day anyway and hearing the stories of other scientists and what amazing things are achieved by us every day was awe inspiring. We now have a new way to study for the next generation of scientists.”

IBMS President Alison Geddis said, “I am delighted Ian and Katie have won this award. I am thrilled they were recognised for such an important innovation, which will allow for many more promising biomedical science staff to enter the profession.”

Waitrose has unveiled new research into attitudes towards health and wellbeing revealing that many of us equate healthiness with an overall sense of wellbeing and happiness rather than simply dieting or exercise.

The research comes as the supermarket launches a number of new health initiatives to help customers. This includes a supermarket first - the announcement of 100 Healthy Eating Specialists who will direct customers who ask towards healthier choices on the shop floor (more details below).

Motivations to become healthier: 'tombola Birthdays' and 'unhealthy selfies'

In research among 2000 people, half admitted that they didn't feel on top of their health; with a third saying they didn't have enough time to focus on their health.

It also reveals that the most common motivator for getting healthy is seeing an unflattering photo of oneself or no longer fitting into an item of clothing. And a so-called 'tombola Birthday', one ending in a zero or five, is a big driver to getting healthy, as is a special event such as a wedding.

Social media plays a part in our attitude towards health with almost 1 in 10 of those surveyed saying that seeing friends online being healthy motivated them to get started. For 18-24 year olds, social media's influence was higher, with almost a fifth of those surveyed saying it would kick start a new approach to health.

Parental Pressures The research also looked at the challenges facing parents which can be the point in life where their health gradually, and often imperceptibly, drifts.

For many parents there's the drive to get healthy for their children's sake, but more than half find the pressures of juggling family life an obstacle to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Half of parents (49%) admitted their health had drifted since having children but they plan to focus on it when the kids are older. Yet 40% of parents say their children can actually help them to get healthier, for example by learning about health in school and pestering the family to make positive changes.

Aim small Many have found the key to feeling healthy is cutting themselves a bit of slack by aiming small; enjoying good food and wine in moderation; spending time outdoors; or time with those they love.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of those currently feeling in good control of their health say they feel more positive when taking a long term approach to creating healthy habits.

Health and nutrition is a rapidly growing market in the UK. To help customers make healthier choices, Waitrose is announcing a number of new initiatives to help shoppers make small but achievable changes.

Waitrose Health Initiatives:

• Waitrose has announced the launch of Healthy Eating Specialists. In a retail first, these shop floor specialists will direct customers towards healthier choices. 11 will be in place by May and 100 by the end of the year.
• Waitrose is moving to the next stage of its trial for personal nutrition consultations, and for the first time, testing outside of London, at its Basingstoke shop.
• From this month, the supermarket will launch its new magazine 'Waitrose Health'. Edited by Peta Bee, the magazine will appeal to healthy eaters who want new ideas, but also to people who aspire to a healthier lifestyle.
• Waitrose has now put its new 'Good Health' mark on more than 1600 lines  to make it easier for customers to make healthier choices. A third of those surveyed said highlighting healthy options would help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• The supermarket is launching its new 'Beautifully Simple' campaign this week using a series of recipes to inspire customers to cook everyday meals with a small number of fresh ingredients.
• Waitrose will also be increasing health information available to customers. This  includes tips and inspiration in its publications and online; plus advice and classes from experts, including Shona Vertue and Professor Greg Whyte.
• Further new health initiatives will be launched by Waitrose over the next few months.

Cradling new-born baby O’Shea, jewellery maker Michael Willis cherished that first time he met his grandson.

Granddad, Michael, who suffers from sarcoidosis, a rare lung condition, was told last year by doctors at City Hospital, Birmingham, he had six months to live – unless he underwent a double lung transplant.

Desperate to save him, consultant respiratory physician Dr Arvind Rajasekaran contacted the Royal Papworth Hospital, in Cambridge, hoping they would assist in finding a donor - and carrying out the necessary operation.

Within two months a suitable donor was found and Michael, age 60, underwent the operation - in June last year.

“I’m extremely grateful to the person who donated their lungs to me,” he recalls. “Like my wife said, someone had to go so I can be here. It was a miracle for me and my family.”

After being diagnosed, he had to use a non-invasive ventilator machine to keep him breathing as he slept. The medical team at City Hospital tried everything to help him, but the last straw was when he collapsed at home in his bathroom. He had developed pneumonia.

Dr Rajasekaran added: “We knew that Michael’s lungs couldn’t cope with the condition anymore, and that he desperately needed a double lung transplant.

Fortunately we were able to find a match for him and he had the surgery in June. Without the transplant Mr. Williams could have died within six months. We were so pleased that his operation was a success and he is recovering remarkably well.

“I feel that I have been given a second chance,” Michael said. “I need to make the most of it. Without the transplant, I would not have been able to see my great grandson.

Before I had this condition, I was very healthy and I worked full time - until I started showing symptoms of Scardoidosis. I struggled to move from one room to another, and I wasn’t able to breathe very well. I felt exhausted taking just small steps. I even needed to use an electronic wheelchair to go to the toilet.”

Dr Rajasekaran said: “It was a great collaboration between the two hospitals, and we hope to continue working with them more in the future.

He can now walk into my clinic and it really makes it all worthwhile to see how the operation has transformed his health.  Since then he has been receiving specialist treatment at home from our community respiratory service.”

“I am a very fortunate person,” granddad Michael said. “I know it’s not always easy to find a match, especially for people from the African Caribbean community like myself. I hope that my story will inspire more people to consider organ donation because it saves lives.”

He went on: “It was an amazing moment meeting baby O’Shea - and one I thought would never happen.

I’m cherishing every moment that I am able to spend with my family.”

A new awards programme for NHS, public health and social care organisations was launched on Wednesday 18 April, supported by the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England.

The Sustainable Health and Care Awards will highlight and celebrate the outstanding sustainable practices taking place which are making real benefits for health and the environment such as cutting carbon, air pollution and promoting green space.

There are a total of 12 awards, ranging from water and energy, building design efficiency, successful staff engagement, and carbon reduction.

The awards are based on the 10 themes of the Sustainable Development Unit’s Sustainable Development Assessment Tool which are closely aligned to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as well as also two awards to celebrate and recognise inspirational individuals.

The awards are free to enter and are open for entry by any public sector health and care organisations in England. The closing date for entries, which need to be submitted on the Sustainable Health and Care website, is 20 July 2018.

The awards ceremony will take place following the Sustainable Health and Care conference and exhibition in November 2018.

All organisations who are shortlisted for an award will receive two complimentary places to the awards dinner and ceremony, as well as access to the conference and exhibition.

Submissions will be assessed by the level of impact on four areas: governance and policy, corporate impact, procurement and supply chain, and working with staff, patients, and communities. The submissions will be assessed by a panel of judges from across the health, environment and private sectors.

Health Minister Stephen Barclay said: “The NHS is a world-leading organisation in many areas and I am keen to ensure that sustainability is one of them. Given the NHS employs 1.5 million people, it has the potential to play a leading role in contributing to a sustainable future.

“That is why I’m delighted to support the Sustainable Health and Care Awards, celebrating the trusts and care providers which are not only delivering excellent services but innovating ways to cut carbon, waste and pollution. In its 70th year, these pioneers are paving the way for a greener and more sustainable NHS for future generations.”

Jerome Baddley, acting director of NHS England’s Sustainable Development Unit, said: “The Sustainable Health and Care campaign is not just for the NHS. It’s for the entire health and care system.

“We want to encourage, support and celebrate action from local authorities and social care providers so the system can come together and further reduce its impact on the environment and deliver benefits for patients, staff and communities.”

Danny Mortimer, the chief executive of NHS Employers, said: “We want the NHS to thrive for another 70 years, and in order for that to happen, sustainability is more important than ever.

“These awards are a great opportunity for organisations to be recognised for all the hard work they do towards creating a greener, more sustainable health and care system.”

The Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) is funded by and accountable to NHS England and Public Health England to work across the NHS, public health and social care system.

The SDU help organisations across health and care embed and promote sustainable development in order to reduce emissions and pollution, save money and improve the health of people and communities.

SEARCH engines like Google and Bing are more likely than any other source of information to provoke anxiety during pregnancy, according to new research.

A survey of 300 UK mums who have given birth in the past five years published in the UK Maternity Reportby the UK’s leading private midwifery services provider, Private Midwives, revealed that search engines were more likely than any other source to provide information which causes further worry and anxiety.

The news comes following midwife, lecturer and advisor to BBC’s Call the Midwife, Terri Coates, revealed that the internet was stopping women from turning to their professional midwife for advice.

As many as 41% reported this was the case, while almost the same number (38%) said they had read information about pregnancy in online forums such as groups and chat boards which had caused them concern.

Despite this, 89% admitted that they had consulted the internet for non-emergency health advice or information about their pregnancy, and outside of midwife appointments, mums-to-be are more likely (53%) to turn to the internet for non-emergency advice or information than anyone or anything else.

Many will do this regularly throughout their pregnancy - more than 1 in 10 (13%) searched for advice online on a daily basis, while more than 1 in 4 (27%) did so every few days.

Linda Bryceland, head of midwifery at Private Midwives, said: “Traditionally during pregnancy, women often found themselves receiving huge amounts of conflicting information – everything from well-meaning loved ones, to media and even strangers in the supermarket. But the internet has opened up a whole range of new sources of information, which in many cases may not be medically qualified and given without context or taking into consideration women’s individual circumstances and medical backgrounds. What’s more, this is available at the touch of the button, on a whim - so it is not surprising that women are finding themselves logging off and feeling more worried than they were to begin with.

“If women have concerns or questions about their pregnancy, the best thing to do is to resist the temptation to quickly search for more information or the answer online, and instead speak to a medical professional – whether that’s their midwife, the non-emergency NHS 111 phone line or their GP, who can provide professional, clinical information and guidance, which takes into account their medical history and individual circumstances.”

According to the survey, as many as 90% of UK women who gave birth in the past five years experienced anxiety and worry during their pregnancy.

A nursing lecturer at Birmingham City University is leading a medical programme in Zambia that is helping to set up a framework for developing and qualifying nursing personnel in the Southern African country.

Major Chris Cater teaches in the University’s Defence School of Healthcare Education, where he heads up a team responsible for training the British Armed Forces’ future nurses. Prior to this he worked in the Army as a nurse, having completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and other deployments to the Middle East as part of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps.

In 2015 Major Carter answered an advertisement in a medical journal for volunteers to set up a critical nursing care program in Zambia; a stable, landlocked, low income country with 60 per cent of the population living in rural communities. Yet whilst it is poor, Zambia is training its doctors and anaesthetists, helped by international investment in terms of money and resources.

Initially the task facing Chris and the three other volunteers was to visit Zambia’s main hospital and help them to identify what resources were needed, and to advance a framework for developing their nursing staff.

Major Chris Carter, Nursing Lecturer, Defence School of Healthcare Education, Birmingham City University, said:

“The doctors there realised that their project to develop healthcare was not going to reach its full potential unless investment was also being made in nursing staff. The doctors were being trained in current practice, applied in the context of a developing country, dealing with diseases totally different to what we see in the UK, but which are common there. However, without the nurses who do the majority of the care, the project wouldn’t work.”

“What transpired was that, despite what the advert said, in fact there was no project, no funding – nothing.”

Therefore, Major Cater convinced The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), a UK NGO, to fund him for a two week needs assessment. Since then he has been to Zambia seven times, staying for periods of two to four weeks. In 2016, for example, he worked with the Zambian Ministry of Health, travelling almost 5,000km and visiting 16 public hospitals as he gathered a snapshot of the challenges facing nurses and critical care in the Commonwealth country.

Chris and the team then wrote a report for the Ministry of Health, recommending what they can could do as a project group to help build the country’s capacity in nursing capability, including a graduate programme. As a result, Chris attracted funding from the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the EU and Birmingham City University, which also provides all the professional back office function and governance needed to keep such a project running.

From nothing, Chris has built up the team which has grown from just four enthusiasts into a truly international collaboration. Working closely locally with the Lusaka College of Nursing, the Zambia Union of Nurses Organization (ZUNO), the Ministry of Health and the General Nursing Council of Zambia, Chris’ work is delivered in accordance with the country’s own priorities in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Such has been the success of the project, 900 healthcare workers have been trained since 2015, that the Army is keen to explore the benefits for the UK Armed Forces. Last year Chris took six students from the Defence School of Healthcare Education – one from the Navy, the rest from the Army – to Zambia as part of their training.

Not only did Birmingham City University students get to see the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and malaria – which while rare in the UK, in their careers they will have to know about – perhaps more importantly they gain valuable experience in the pressures of practicing in a resource-limited environment.

Major Chris Carter added: “We watched a doctor performing a procedure and I talked the students through it. I told them to watch how he and the nurses were working – only opening equipment when they needed it, so they didn’t waste anything – because it’s too precious.

“I challenge them; imagine you are on board a ship, or in the field – you’re not going to have an infinite supply of gloves, oxygen, swabs. Plus, when you’ve got 10 patients on a ward, and there’s only three of you, there’s no agency you can call, no extra staff, it’s just you.”

Chris uses the experience to get the students thinking in a different way. A way which might just make a difference when on the battlefield.

He said: “I get them to think about what they would do in that situation. Which is your sickest patient at the moment? Why do you think that? I get them to think through some of the clinical decisions they would never face in the NHS. ‘You’ve only got 10 ventilators, but you’ve got 11 patients who need it – what are you going to do?’”