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PLC September - October 2011 Newsletter
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The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC) In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support Registered Charity Number: 273635 Our Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support A Member of The Plymouth Third Sector Consortium (PTSC) Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon, Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees
The Voice of PLC September – October 2011 Address: c/o 80 Warleigh Avenue, PLYMOUTH, PL2 1DH, Devon, UK Mobile: 07745819828 (text only) Email: [email protected] Website: http://plymouthlc.webs.com
FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR Written by Edward (Ted) BURNETT
Welcome Members and Friends! Well, our first year of PLC has passed! In fact, it's been more than a year, and I think it’s been quite an interesting time for us all. We’ve had a wide range of guest speakers and managed a few outside trips and events. I should like to thank everyone for their help and support during our first year... to name just a few: The Staff of the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre who have been excellent hosts and have always made us all very welcome! Maggie, Emer and Julia for their part in giving us the help, support and advice any time we needed it. Geoff, who as I think you will all agree, has worked tirelessly as our Club’s Secretary. Jean, for all her hard work as Treasurer in sorting out the finances for our Club. And finally I should like to thank all our Members and Friends for showing their support. Because without you we would not have a club! Many thanks! Ted Chair, PLC
EDITORIAL COMMENT NTERNET Links. If you’re reading this on-line and come across words with blue lettering that are underlined, then
you can click on these links and be taken directly to another site for more information on that particular topic. If you read this on Microsoft Word, you can put your cursor over the link, hold down the Control (Ctrl) Key and click! Ed.
GREETINGS! EST WISHES TO Susan STEPHENSON for her birthday on Sunday, 25
th September 2011. Susan is staunch
and loyal member of PLC. Have a lovely day Susan!
APPY BIRTHDAY TO Alan Derek PEACEY for Wednesday, 28
th September 2011. Alan is a Friend of PLC although
he resides in Norway!
ONGRATULATIONS TO Ted & Liz BURNETT for Friday, 21
st October 2011 on the occasion of their anniversary.
Ted was the Chair of PLC for 2010 – 11. And we all know that behind any good man is a good woman! Well done Liz!
EVOTED HUSBAND. This is for all women who think men are heartless!
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Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 2
THE PLC SEPTEMBER 2011 MEETING UR SEPTEMBER 2011 Meeting took place at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Center at Derriford
Hospital on Monday, 5th
September 2011 at 11 a.m. There were only seven of us in attendance including three Friends. Another member joined us later. The business side of the meeting was kept very brief with Ted simply giving an overview on forthcoming events.
Mr. Charles HANDLEY of Countrywide Supplies Ltd. gave us an informative talk regarding his products. He reminded us once again that before ordering something new from his catalogue we should always remember to first seek approval from Maggie or Julia. As all Members attending were alrerady customers of Countrywide it was difficult to judge whether Charles was content or frustrated! Ted presented Charrles with a Plymouth Tie Pin / Lapel Badge and a Thank You Card on behalf of all Members.
Mr. Michael W.M. BRIDGER, a Consultant Surgeon at ENT Derriford Hospital will be retiring fairly soon He is widely respected amongst medical staff and patients alike, and will be missed. We were so grateful to him for giving up some of his valuable time to give us an extremely informative talk about his lifetime’s work on head-and-neck cancers and how treatments have changed over the years. He was a pioneer in his field in his day! Mr. BRIDGER also gave an update on which direction he thought treatments might go in the future, touching upon laser and transplants. All very interesting! Ted then presented Mr. BRIDGER with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of all Club Members.
In the picture: Ted BURNETT presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Michael W.M. BRIDGER.
Photograph courtesy of Liz BURNETT
More photographs at: Photobucket.com (fullscreen slideshow),
and PLC Facebook page (smaller but faster).
AFFLE. Because of the few numbers attending the September 2011 Meeting it was decided to dispense
with the monthly raffle this time.
UBSCRIPTIONS. Because of the few numbers attending the September 2011 Meeting it was decided not to
collect any subs this month.
REASURER’S REPORT. Because of the few numbers attending the September 2011 Meeting it was decided
hold over the report until the October 2011 Meeting.
THE PLC CHARABANC TRIP EVEN INTREPID PLC MEMBERS met at the Roborough Tesco’s Car Park at 2 p.m. on Saturday, 10
th September
2011 to go on a Coach Trip to Dartmeet to enjoy a real Devon Cream Tea. Dartmeet is set in a particularly beautiful part of Dartmoor with rolling tors (hills) and a fast-flowing running river. The sun even managed to shine for us! The journey to and from Dartmeet meanders through some lovely scenery and it was a rare treat for the drivers amongst us to be able to take in those views... rather than concentrating on the road! We held a raffle during our Cream Tea that realised £8 which we promptly handed over to Patrick, our driver, as his tip for the day! Fiona won the prize so she’ll be supplying the prize for our October 2011 Meeting.
Photographs courtesy of Liz BURNETT → View Slideshow
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Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 3
Charabanc
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This 1920 Punch cartoon shows UK government ministers in a charabanc.
A charabanc or "char-à-banc" is a type of horse-drawn vehicle or early motor coach, usually open-topped, common in Britain during the early part of the 20
th
century. It was especially popular for sight-seeing or works outings to the country or the seaside, organised by businesses once a year. The name derives from the French char à bancs (carriage with wooden benches), the vehicle having originated in France in the early 19
th
century. Although the vehicle has not been common on the roads since the 1920s, a few signs survive from the era; a notable example at Wookey Hole in Somerset warns that the road to the neighbouring village of Easton is unsuitable for charabancs.
THE PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS ALENDAR of EVENTS. A copy of the Club’s Calendar of Events, including Future Entertainments for the next 12
months or so, is available on our Club’s website. Please keep yourselves up-to-date by taking an occasional peek!
EPTEMBER 2011. Wednesday, 14th
September 2011: The Speak Easy Club in Cornwall has invited Members of
PLC for a trip to Devoran, near Truro, for a Soup & Sandwich lunch. Members of the Recovery Club from Cornwall have also been invited. Those who have given their names to Geoff so far have a car seat reserved. Anyone else wishing to attend should notify Geoff as soon as possible so as to avoid disappointment. We aim to meet up at Devoran Church at 12 noon.
CTOBER 2011. Friday, 7th
October 2011: A Laryngectomee Study Day is being organised by
Julia and Maggie. It will be held at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre. Please make a note of this date in your diaries as we have cancelled our normal Club Meeting for Monday, 3
rd October 2011! Our Club Meeting will take
place in the Double Room of the Mustard Tree between 11 and 12 noon on the 7
th... just prior to lunch. Members
should note that we have been invited to attend both morning and afternoon sessions, as well as lunch, which has kindly been provided by our Medical Equipment Suppliers. So do please come prepared for a longer stay than normal! Click THIS to view the full programme. A hard copy of the programme is attached for those not on-line.
OVEMBER 2011. Monday, 7th
November 2011: John MCKENNA of ColeBROOK Housing Carers has kindly
accepted our invitation to be our Guest Speaker.
ECEMBER 2011. Monday, 5th
December 2011: Members agreed at the August
2011 Meeting that Ted should book a Christmas Dinner to be held at the Acropolis Restaurant in Plymouth City Centre at 7 p.m. Members also agreed that the cost of this event should be offset by Club Funds.
DERRIFORD HOSPITAL CANCER SERVICES GEOFF ATTENDED AN Internal Head & Neck Validation Panel Meeting at Derriford Hospital on Monday, 15
th August 2011.
Geoff was in attendance as an observer in an attempt to gain a continuing insight into the Peer Review Process. Should anyone wish to have further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Geoff.
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LARYNGTECTOMY CLUBS
(NALC) LC RECEIVED A COPY of the minutes of the meeting of the NALC General Committee held on Monday, 4
th July
2011. NALC only ever send the one copy so if anyone wishes to see a copy then do please let Geoff know. PLC was not represented. Just for interest, these are the main points covered:
Attendance. 18 representatives from across the UK were in attendance.
Finance. Current Account: £65,235.54 Business Account : £34,818.63
AGM. The AGM was held in London but the turnout was poor. Geoff and Jean represented PLC.
Annual Luncheon. The Annual Lunch was held on Sunday, 4
th September 2011 at Penrith. Although
invited, none of our Members attended.
Larynx Transplants. An article will be published soon in the CLAN Magazine.
Next Transplants. An article will be published soon in the CLAN Magazine.
PLC ON FACEBOOK ANDA, OUR WEBMASTER, has now put our Club on Facebook. Please do go online and take a look. Go to
Facebook and then put Plymouth Laryngectomy Club into the Search Box! Alternatively, just click on this link. When you get there, please show us your support by clicking on the LIKE button. And do please leave a comment... this is YOUR Facebook Page!
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Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 4
THE RECOVERY CLUB, CORNWALL EOFF EMAILED A copy of the August 2011 Newsletter to those of our members on-line. Those not on-line should
contact Geoff for a hard copy. Some of us will have the opportunity of meeting up with members of The Recovery Club on our trip to Devoran in September 2011. The Recovery Club and the Speak Easy Club will both be in attendance! That's good news!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
From: THOMAS Nicola (TORBAY CARE TRUST) To: Geoffrey READ [email protected] Sent: Thu, 11 August, 2011 9:27:01 Subject: RE: PLC NEWSLETTER
Geoff,
Thanks for your newsletter. I’ve added your website address on our website, on the support page. The link is: http://www.peninsulacancernetwork.org.uk/public/othersupport/Pages/HeadNeck.aspx
Hope this is OK!
Nikki
Nikki THOMAS Network Nurse Director Peninsula Cancer Network www.peninsulacancernetwork.org.uk www.facebook.com/peninsulacancernetwork
Editorial Comment: Thanks Nicola! I hope other organisations will follow your lead! Ed.
THE SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE
EOFF RECENTLY VISITED the South Western Ambulance Services Training College recently where he met up with
Lizzie RYAN, the Education Business Manager. It was agreed that the Ambulance Service Emergency Control Room for our region could flag-up the names and details of our Club Members so, in the event of a medical emergency, the Service could ensure that their paramedics could be properly briefed that the patient was a Laryngectomee so they would know what to do, and more importantly, what not to do! The Service could also ensure their ambulances would be kitted out with any special neck-breathing equipment that may be necessary. The Data Protection Act forbids me passing anyone’s personal details to anyone else without that individual’s authority. So if you wish to take part in this scheme, would you please complete the attached form and email it, or pass it back to me? I will then ensure that your details are passed on to our local Ambulance Service. This authorisation will need to be renewed every six months but don’t worry... the Club will send out reminders. One last point: Laryngectomees do not have to be Club Members to participate in this Scheme and we have passed blank forms to Julia and Maggie to dish out to their patients as required.
NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS
DISCLAIMER Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this section are
not necessarily those held by the PLC Committee nor its Members.
GIFT OF a Voice. I wanted to share with you the story A Gift of a Voice which is about my efforts to speak again.
It was posted in the Georgetown University Homepage as a feature story and can be seen on-line at: http://gumc.georgetown.edu/news/stories/230883.html For those not on-line, it’s repeated below... I do hope that you will find it inspirational! Thanks!
Itzhak BROOK, MD, MSc
Professor of Medicine Georgetown University Washington DC, USA Blog site: driBROOK.blogspot.com Email: [email protected]
THE GIFT OF A VOICE STARING AT THE AUDIENCE, Dr. Itzhak BROOK was nervous. In front of him were doctors and cancer survivors. He thought about surviving Israeli wars and the time he lost a patient, but nothing would prepare him for his first speech after losing his vocal cords to cancer. Outfitted with a prosthesis to help him speak, BROOK faced a challenging audience: would they stay or would they go? What BROOK learned after his speech would help him realise the power and gift of his voice. As a professor at Georgetown University Medical Center, BROOK is revered for his professionalism and ability to teach medical students the art and science of medicine. A natural at the sciences, BROOK discovered his affinity for medicine as a young child. “Growing up my parents believed in a solid education,” says BROOK. “I felt an obligation to make something of my life and my passion for medicine evolved throughout high school.” BROOK finished medical school in Jerusalem, Israel and completed fellowships at Ivy League universities in the United States, publishing research on anaerobic microbes and head and neck infections. He says it was in paediatric infectious diseases where he felt most at home. “When I was a doctor of internal medicine, I lost a couple of patients and that was hard for me,” says BROOK. “But when I went [in]to paediatrics and infectious diseases, I felt I could fight and win on behalf of my patients... it was so rewarding for me.” Along the way BROOK lectured medical students and physicians and treated patients using his voice as an instrument to share his love and passion for medicine. That all changed in 2006 when BROOK was diagnosed with cancer. After learning he had throat cancer, BROOK explains he was “shaken to the core” and did not share it with his friends or colleagues. “It felt like a death sentence,” says BROOK. “I asked my children and wife to keep the news private because I did not want to feel stigmatized as a cancer patient for fear of looking weak and vulnerable.”
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Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 5
BROOK felt as if his lucky star was gone. But, with the love and support of his family guiding him, BROOK made it through the gruelling radiation appointments that required a leave of absence from work and teaching. While recovering from the first round of treatment, BROOK received some unexpected news from his doctor. His cancer was back with a vengeance. This time, BROOK did not have a choice except to tell his friends and family his diagnosis was bleak. BROOK and his wife felt it best to tell their children in person, not over the phone. He met with them face-to-face so that he could answer their questions. “Each one of my five children is special and we took a lot of time deciding how to tell them my cancer had returned,” says BROOK. His daughter, Sara BROOK, was devastated. “My dad had always been a symbol of strength in my life and his sickness forced me to accept that he was vulnerable,” she says. “Although he has approached his sickness with the same persistence he's exhibited during previous challenges, cancer is such an unknown and powerful force. It's a scary fight.” After revealing the news to his family and friends he was surprised at the outpouring of emotional support. People did not stigmatise him or turn their backs, instead they embraced him. BROOK found an otolaryngologist who would see him through his darkest days. The doctor informed BROOK that his only hope for a cure was to remove his larynx... a procedure that would leave him voiceless. “All of my life I have used my voice to teach and to communicate with patients,” says BROOK. “The thought of losing my voice was terrifying but I didn’t have a choice... it was lose my life to cancer or lose my voice... I chose losing my voice.” BROOK did receive some good news prior to surgery. His doctors told him a voice prosthesis might allow him to speak again one day in the future, but it would be a slow and tedious process. This hopeful possibility that would help get BROOK through surgery. After the surgery, BROOK fought frustration and depression and faced additional health issues as a result of surgery. Then there were the uncertainties of the voice prosthesis... how would his voice sound? What if the prosthesis failed to work? The surgery to insert the voice prosthesis was successful, but speaking again did not come easily. Learning to speak included additional speech pathology visits and, as BROOK feared, he was not immediately comfortable with the sound of his new voice. “Imagine not sounding like yourself,” says BROOK. “I spoke with a soft whisper... I had no idea how people might react.” Following physical therapy and learning to use his prosthesis, BROOK rebounded. He returned to teaching and the medical profession. But, this time, he was going to do it differently. He no longer remains distant from his patients. Now he hugs them, he comforts them. He encourages them to use their voices and to speak up when something is wrong. He knows what it’s like to be in their shoes. “Our voice is our most powerful tool. It’s our biggest advocate for our health and wellness,” he says.
So when he was asked to give a lecture to a large group following his treatment, BROOK hesitated, but after much thought he accepted the invitation. Although he feared people would walk out of the room, unable to understand or cringe at his airy, soft whisper, he began to speak. “I am Dr. Itzhak BROOK,” he said. “I am a cancer survivor.” To his surprise, no one left the room. Instead, all remained silent as he recounted the story of his amazing fight with an eventual victory. This first public speech after cancer awakened a new passion in him... to share his story with patients and doctors, encouraging patient-doctor communication and active patient participation. He now tours the country giving lectures and presentations, no longer the hesitant individual afraid to share his voice, but a man who has learned that his soft whisper has the impact of a shout.
By Tressa KIRBY, GUMC Communications
Published July 20, 2011
ANCER LARYNGECTOMEE TRUST. Geoff has received a hard copy of the September 2011 edition of their
Newsletter. Please contact Geoff if you wish to see a copy. Alternatively, you can contact the Trust at:
Cancer Laryngectomee Trust, National Association of Neck Breathers,
P.O. Box 618, Halifax HX3 8WX
Telephone: (01422) 205 522 Website: www.cancerlt.org Email: [email protected]
ARE QUALITY COMMISSION (CQC): The CQC has now published its Annual Report & Accounts for 2010/11. This
shows that they have now completed the task of registering all adult social care and independent healthcare services, as well as private ambulances and dentists... almost 30,000 services in total... to the timescales set in legislation. They say that this meant diverting resources away from core inspection functions for a time, leading to a temporary drop in the numbers of inspections. Inspections will now become the top priority. An electronic copy of the report is available at: http://www.cqc.org.uk/publications.cfm?fde_id=18566. The report is 100 pages in length so Geoff cannot help out those not on-line!
LAN NEWSLETTER. CLAN is the official magazine of the National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC). The
Plymouth Laryngectomy Club is affiliated to NALC. The September 2011 edition of CLAN is online now! Click to view it fullscreen Download the pdf (825.82 KB) I have received some hard copies which I will be redistributing to members who are not on-line. I do hope you all get the time to read this edition as there are some insteresting snippets inside it.
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Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 6
XERCISE, NOT REST, is Important After Ops. This article was published in The Herald on Thursday, 11
th August 2011.
MACMILLAN Cancer Support has launched a campaign to encourage people in Plymouth affected by cancer to exercise more. The Move More campaign follows a report that showed the importance of physical activity in the recovery and long-term health of cancer patients. Patients have long been encouraged to rest after treatment, something which Move More shows puts cancer patients at risk. Macmillan Cancer Support has estimated that at least 1.6 million cancer survivors are at risk of long-term health problems and the recurrence of some cancers because they are not exercising enough. The report found that 150 minutes of exercise a week can cut the risk of breast cancer recurring by 40%, compared to those doing less than an hour. Similarly, the risk of bowel cancer returning can be reduced by roughly half by doing six hours of moderate physical activity per week and the risk of dying from prostate cancer can be reduced by up to 30% with 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. The survey found that many health professionals are not aware of emerging evidence that exercise could improve recovery and long-term health. The survey showed that 72 per cent of GPs and 60% of oncologists do not discuss the possible benefits of exercise with their patients. David CROSBY, from Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "There really needs to be a cultural change, so that health professionals see physical activity as an integral part of cancer after care, not just an optional add on." He added: "It doesn't need to be anything too strenuous... doing the gardening, going for a brisk walk or swim all count. Health professionals can refer patients to a variety of services."
'VE BEATEN CANCER, says Ex-England Star Bryan ROBSON after being given the All Clear. This article was published
in the Daily Mail on Friday, 26th
August 2011.
All clear: Bryan ROBSON has beaten throat cancer after he received a letter from a doctor that treated him.
Former England football captain Bryan ROBSON has declared that he has beaten throat cancer. The 54-year-old said he was given the news in a letter from the specialist who treated him. ROBSON will now have another check-up to make sure the rest of his body is clear but says medics are confident that will be the case. It was revealed in March that the former Manchester United star, nicknamed ‘Captain Marvel’, had been diagnosed with the disease.
ROBSON, who was the Thailand national coach at the time, went to doctors after having difficulty swallowing and feeling a lump on his throat. He underwent surgery and radiotherapy. ROBSON said yesterday: ‘It was great news that I had in the letter. Things seem to be going well for me.’ He said he was overwhelmed by the level of support from the public. 'I’ve been getting messages all the time and I have had great support from fans throughout the world and at West Brom, Middlesbrough, Thailand and obviously United. 'I’d like to thank everyone for that.' ROBSON joined the Reds in 1981 for a then British record of £1.8m. In what was a barren decade by their standards his all-action performances helped them lift the FA Cup in 1983. ROBSON also lifted the Cup Winners Cup in 1991, the Premier League in 1993 and 1994 - the same year the Red Devils also won the FA Cup. He won 90 England caps and scored 26 goals.
To read more please click on this link.
HE MONKEE WHO Sings Better Than Ever Because He Had Throat Cancer. This article was published in the Daily
Mail on Tuesday, 16th
August 2011.
Having long ago turned his back on his wild rock past, Peter TORK had every reason to think he was in reasonably good health. But two years ago, The Monkees star received terrifying news... the dry throat and husky voice he’d developed were signs of cancer of the neck. The diagnosis was ‘a real jolt’, says the 69-year-old.
His symptoms first appeared in the autumn of late 2008. If you wish to read more, then please click on this link.
EW PATIENT TRANSPORT Policy for Plymouth. NHS Plymouth is carrying out a piece of work about the
production and implementation of a Patient Transport Policy, the purpose of which is to make sure that they are in line with national practice and that they have clear guidance on the management of patient transport. Additionally, the policy hopes to ensure that resources are targeted to the right people at the right time, with the appropriate level of support. This policy has been developed in conjunction with both NHS Devon & Cornwall & Isles of Scilly NHS Trust, to ensure a standardised approach for all patients across the South West Peninsula. They would welcome any feedback that people might be able to give. If any groups feel it would be useful for NHS Plymouth to come out and discuss it with them they would be happy to do this. The national policies which have been used to inform the production of local policy are as follows:
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or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 7
• Health Care Travel Costs Scheme • Patient Transport Service
Further supporting information is available on the NHS Plymouth Website.
Let us know what you think about patient transport and how it could be improved... we need to hear from you by 12
th September 2011. Please contact the Plymouth LINk
Support Team:
Freepost RRZE-AGZT-EXRS LINk Support Team Unit 15, HQ Building, 237 Union Street, PLYMOUTH, PL1 3HQ, Devon. Telephone: (01752) 202407 Mobile: 07533 432200 Website: www.plymouth-link.co.uk Email: [email protected]
LYMOUTH HEALTHWATCH Information Event. This event will take place on Thursday, 22
nd September 2011 from 9
a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Charter Room of Plymouth Guildhall.
Discuss how HealthWatch can represent local views
Find out about the Government’s plans for HealthWatch
Share your ideas about how it could work
Please contact Plymouth LINk to let them know if you would like to attend and give your preferred date at: Plymouth LINk Support Team
Freepost RRZE-AGZT-EXRS, Unit 15, HQ Building, 237 Union Street, Plymouth, PL2 3HQ, Devon. Telephone: (01752) 202407 Email: [email protected]
OCIAL CARE DIRECTORY Launched. This article was published in The Plymouth Herald on Wednesday, 17
th
August 2011.
PLYMOUTH City Council has launched a new online directory of Social Care & Health Services. The Plymouth Online Directory (POD) has been designed to make information more accessible and give people greater choice and control over the services they want to use. The website draws together information about health and wellbeing, highlighting services and organisations to help people maintain their independence in their own homes. It contains information on local and national charities, community groups and organisations offering advocacy services, money advice and training, employment and volunteering opportunities Councillor Grant MONAHAN, Cabinet member for Adult Health & Social Care, said: "People are increasingly choosing to organise their own services and POD will help by bringing the information together into one place and making it easier to understand and navigate." Dr. Peter RUDGE, Chairman of the Plymouth Health service's Commissioning Group, added: "The council's development of the POD is a wonderful step forward in our efforts to help patients, clients and professionals navigate their way to everyday solutions to meet their needs."
Editorial Comment: Geoff applied to have PLC included in the POD and we have since been added.
RIO APPOINTED TO Help Run New Health Company. This article was published in The Plymouth Herald on
Wednesday, 31st
August 2011:
TWO former police chiefs and a banker will help run a new company set to take over Plymouth's Community Health Services. Morris WATTS, Jim WEBSTER and Marie KERR have been appointed as non-executive directors of Plymouth Community Healthcare. The social enterprise will take control of community health services, 2,200 staff and a £90million budget from NHS Plymouth, the city's Primary Care Trust (PCT). The shift is part of nationwide changes, started under Labour and being taken on by the coalition. It is taking shape alongside other NHS reforms including giving GPs wider funding powers when PCTs are abolished. Duncan CURRALL, Plymouth Community Healthcare chair designate, said he was delighted to announce the three appointments. The new organisation, which will provide community and mental health services for the people of Plymouth, is due to be launched on Saturday, 1
st October 2011.
Please click on this link to read more.
RIPS & DAYS Out on Offer to Care for Carers. This article was published in The Herald on Friday, 12
th August 2011:
CARERS are invited to take part in free summer activities. Carers Champions are working with other organisations to put
on a range of events in coming months... for carers and the people they support. Options include massage treatments, meal out, trips to Paignton Zoo, a backstage tour
of the Theatre Royal with lunch, and a trip to Buckfast Abbey. There will also be a course on Assertiveness & Confidence Building. Some activities require a £2 deposit. For more details and to secure a place call Carers Champions team on (01752) 211348.
HAT IS THE Equality Delivery System (EDS)? The EDS has been designed to support NHS organisations
to deliver better services for patients and communities which are personal, fair and diverse. It will help organisations meet the requirements of the Equality Duty which include having due regard for the need to:
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment & victimisation.
Advance equality of opportunity between different groups.
Foster good relations between different groups.
The primary purpose of the EDS is to create conversations between NHS organisations and their patients, the public and stakeholders. These conversations will help us to assess our performance, and with your help enable us to agree what equality objectives should be prioritised and the actions required.
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or email: [email protected], or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 8
Getting involved The first step for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and NHS Plymouth (provider and commissioner) is to migrate from our existing Equality Schemes (strategy and action plan) to the new EDS. This will need to be in place by April 2012 and to help us do this we are running various engagement activities which aim to:
Ensure you know what is happening, when it will happen and how it will affect you.
Increase the opportunity for feedback and input into the EDS and develop partnerships to help assist with the delivery of the EDS.
Work with you, in particular diverse communities to understand what the priorities are.
Achieve a shared understanding of the EDS.
Explain why we are taking a particular action.
We are holding an event on Wednesday, 26th
October, from 9.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., at the Welcome Hall, 4 Fore Street, Devonport to start this conversation (lunch provided). The aim of the session is to:
Inform you of the EDS and how your input can help shape and deliver the best solutions to meet the needs of the people of Plymouth.
Involve you in the development of the EDS objectives and an opportunity to comment on the EDS.
Help us assess where we are as an organisation (analysing and grading performance).
At the end of the session you will receive an Equality Champion pack which can be shared with others to help start the assessment process. We are also committed to ensuring the conversation continues after the grading process so that together we can identify objectives that will benefit communities and deliver better outcomes.
We hope that you are able to attend and please let know by Thursday, 15
th September 2011 via the contact details below.
Further details will be forwarded nearer the time. If you are unable to make this date we would still like to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]
Post: Equality & Diversity Organisational Development Building 4 Derriford Business Park Derriford, Plymouth PL6 5XN
Telephone: (01752) 437251 or (01752) 437610.
ENINSULA HEAD & NECK CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (PHANCS)
Are you interested in a support group for head and neck cancer patients and carers? This could take the form of: Group meetings, One to One meetings, Information / advice by post or E mail An on line web site, Telephone help line, Or a combination of the above.
We have established that there is a need for such a group and are in the early planning stage. If you would be interested in helping with setting up the group please contact Mac Merrett. Email [email protected] Tel. 01392 8412490
LTERNATE MEANINGS FOR Common Words. A newspaper has published the winning submissions to its
yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. And the winners are:
1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavoured mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
14. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our grateful thanks to :
THE PLYMOUTH DIOCESE http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/
for their assistance in reproducing copies of this newsletter
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