Health & Wellbeing

With over 11,900 people living with dementia in Birmingham, many of whom are in relationships, Alzheimer’s Society has issued some relationship guidance to help affected couples better maintain their relationship following the charities recently launched ‘Ultimate Vow’ campaign.

Dementia can put a strain on a romantic relationship. This can be caused by the person’s difficulties with memory and communication, as well as changes in their energy levels, motivation and interests.

With the government announcing the launch of the 'swap to stop' scheme, in which one million smokers will be offered vape starter kits in a bid to make the nation "smoke free" research has revealed Walsall as the second city already most in pursuit of smoking cessation.

Residents of Walsall searched related terms at a rate just below that of Inverness with 488 searches per 100k, that is 283 per 100k, or a massive 138% over the national average.

One benefit of scientific research is how expanding knowledge in one area leads to breakthroughs in another. In the United States, research designed to protect astronauts from radiation exposure in space is helping to fight cancer on Earth. An astronaut working on the International Space Station for six months faces as much radiation as 1,000 chest X-rays, according to NASA, America’s space agency.

The new Chair of the volunteer managed, member-based forum, Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment Association (BHSEA) has been announced as Wayne Bishop, Health and Safety Manager of family-owned construction business, Speller Metcalfe based in Malvern, Worcestershire. The appointment was officially made at the Association’s Annual General Meeting at Walsall Football Club, Walsall.

Neil Male has been appointed as the new Chair of trustees at the Kaleidoscope Plus Group and will be starting with immediate effect. He will be taking over from Chris Mills who has served as the Chair of trustees for three years.

The Midlands based charity helps thousands of people across the UK each year and offers a range of services for people in need, struggling with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Neil, who has been a non-executive director at Kaleidoscope Plus Group for three years, is recognised as a transformational business leader in the Midlands.

A local Burntwood man is making a heartfelt appeal for people to support St Giles Hospice in their 40^th anniversary year, after the charity cared for his wife, Anna, before her death in May 2021. Matt Morgan, 49, said his final farewells to Anna just a day before their 7th wedding anniversary.

Speaking about Anna’s journey, Matt said: “Anna was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and, after a long journey, it was deemed ‘not curable’. That’s when St Giles Hospice came into the picture. St Giles supported Anna with respite visits, medication management and Hospice at Home care.”

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that clinically vulnerable children aged 6 months to 4 years should be offered a COVID-19 vaccine.

Although young children are generally at low risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, infants and young children who have underlying medical conditions are over seven times more likely to be admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Units.

A 56-year-old man living with Parkinson’s is going to cycle nearly 1,400 miles from Liverpool to the Polish-Ukrainian border to raise money for Parkinson’s UK and children’s charity Terre des hommes. 

Gary Shaughnessy, from Tadley, will be joined by seven friends, and they will cycle around 100 miles every day for two weeks. Gary, who is Chair of Trustees for Parkinson’s UK and the Z Zurich Foundation, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and he is determined to not let the condition define him.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is advising the public that effective immediately, children age 12 years and younger can access free medical care at The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

In a statement, the Ministry said the decision comes in light of the increase in admissions being experienced at the Bustamante Hospital for Children as a result of respiratory illnesses.

Sunday 2nd April 2023 saw the Birmingham Walkathon make its return, 10 years since last taking place in the city.

Birmingham based charity, Help Harry Help Others joined forces with former BRMB Director and original event visionary, David Bagley, to bring back the famous event, which saw almost 1000 Brummies sign up to pound the pavements, raising much needed funds for local charities including Help Harry Help Others, Birmingham Children's Hospital, NSPCC Birmingham, Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid, All Making A Difference and Birmingham Mind.

The staff and volunteers at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s West Midlands-based shops have been raising awareness of the lifesaving equipment they have in store that can be used for lifesaving bystander support.

The store is equipped with an automated external defibrillator, which can be vital if a person goes into cardiac arrest. Sadly, only ten per cent of patients survive with a good recovery after suffering an out of hospital cardiac arrest.

The countdown is for a determined fundraiser as he laces up the trainers ready to tackle a half marathon to support mental health and wellbeing charity, The Kaleidoscope Plus Group.

Account manager, Liam Coombes is taking part in the London Landmarks half marathon and is raising funds for the Midlands based charity. The Midlands-based charity helps thousands of people across the UK each year and offers a range of services for people in need, struggling with their emotional health and wellbeing.

Health insurance for staff should be provided by the employers. At Hyatt Hotels in California staff is begging guests to donate.

“I just paid for breakfast at the Hyatt-operated Thompson Hotel in Hollywood, California”, said World Tourism Network chair Juergen Steinmetz. Not having a breakfast buffet, but a combination of a yogurt dish, a simple breakfast sandwich, and a cappuccino came to $41.39 plus an expected tip of $8.00.

In honour of World Autism Awareness Week, running from 27th March to 2nd April, Percussion Play is highlighting the healing power of playing music in the great outdoors and how it can support people with Autism.

It is well-known that playing musical instruments lifts people’s moods and creates a powerful sense of well-being.  Music therapy has been shown to significantly improve communication for those with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions. 

Barnet Council has approved its first dementia strategy as it prepares for a large increase in the number of residents living with the condition.

The strategy is designed to help the council and its partners in the health and voluntary sectors provide more proactive support, maximising people’s independence, health and wellbeing.

Health City Cayman Islands officially opened its new Radiation Oncology Centre in Camana Bay this week, ushering in a new era of hope for cancer patients in the Cayman Islands and surrounding territories.

Equipped with the latest technology in the form of a Siemens TruBeam Varian Lineae Accelerator, the Centre is the first of its kind in the Cayman Islands and one of the most advanced in the region.