Health & Beauty

Alcohol Awareness Week shines a light on drinking habits

Alcohol Awareness Week this year is all about "alcohol and me". Alcohol is often made to feel central to everyday moments – from birthdays and barbeques to celebrations with friends – and this year’s campaign invites everyone to pause and reflect on the role alcohol is playing in their...

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Falling midwife numbers in South West amid warning of a possible further decade of UK shortages

Despite midwife numbers increasing faster than births, it will be at least another decade before England has enough midwives, according to new figures from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The RCM estimates that currently, England is short of 5,000 midwives*.

The RCM looked at changes in the number of births and midwife numbers since the 2010 election and projected these forward...

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South West

midwives

Royal College of Midwives

Mayday Mayday - local surgeon and actor raise awareness of spinal injury

Following a performance of “Mayday Mayday”, a play written by local actor Tristan Sturrock about his spinal injury and journey to recovery, Consultant Neurosurgeon Tim Germon was invited to give a talk to the audience about spinal injuries at St Anne’s Warehouse in New York.

Talking after the event Tim said: “It was pretty intimidating to stand on the stage, a completely different...

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Get the recipe for healthy living at Stoke Library

Stoke Library is hosting a drop-in event on Friday 30 August where people can find out how to eat well and stay healthy on a budget.

The 'Food is Fun Fayre', being run in partnership with the Healthy Living Network, will provide advice on healthy eating and healthy lifestyles, as well as promote ‘10% Clubs’ – a new ten-week healthy living programme launching in the city from September...

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Plymouth

Stoke Library

Healthy Living Network

Food is Fun Fayre

Campaign launched to dispel myths of ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ hand rolling tobacco

A campaign has been launched to dispel the myths of ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ hand rolling tobacco, as it is revealed that more South West smokers roll their own cigarettes.

More people are smoking hand rolling tobacco than manufactured cigarettes in the South West, but many are unaware that although hand rolling tobacco is often marketed as less harmful than manufactured cigarettes, it...

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campaign

hand rolling tobacco

health dangers

Smoke Free South West

Devon County Council

Grapefruit biomolecules may herald new treatment for heart disease

New research, published today in the ' Biochemical Journal ', has identified molecules occurring naturally in fruit that may play an important role in the future treatment of heart disease.

Molecules called flavanoids, which are found in citrus fruits, particularly grapefruit, have proven effective at reducing the inflammation that can lead to deadly cardiovascular disease. These...

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Biochemical Journal

University of Glasgow

research

health

heart disease

Project SEARCH graduate wins Star Performer award

Project SEARCH Graduate, Christopher Oliver, who recently gained full time employment with Serco at Derriford Hospital, has been recognised as their Star Performer for July.

The monthly award was presented by his line manager, Louise Pelly, in recognition of his outstanding service.

Louise was very enthusiastic about Christopher’s customer service skills and had received...

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First patient to use iPad whilst awake during surgery

The first patient to choose distraction methods instead of sedation during surgery at Derriford Hospital is recovering well.

Janet Blank, 65 from Mountwise in Plymouth had a total knee replacement under spinal anaesthesia last Friday, while using a new ipad on loan from the South West Regional Anaesthesia Group as a distraction during the operation, rather than being sedated.

...

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June celebrates spectacular 60 years of NHS service

Colleagues and Executive Directors were on hand to congratulate Healthcare Assistant June Foster who has notched up an incredible 60 years of service in the NHS.

Since 1953, starting at Freedom Fields, June has always worked with children and young people.

Talking about June’s achievement Chief Executive Ann James said: “An achievement like this deserves a very personal thank...

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Maxillo-facial department to benefit from silver wedding anniversary

Paul Turner from Hartley has donated two valuable books to Derriford Hospital today to say ‘thank you’ to the staff that helped him through a difficult time.

Mr Turner said: “On returning from a family holiday, I noticed a small lump in my neck. I visited my local GP and was referred to Derriford Hospital for tests where I was then diagnosed with cancer.

“After surgery I faced...

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Plymouth University research provides hope for bladder cancer care

Research carried out by a team at Plymouth University has, for the first time, identified an important mechanism behind the process that allows a benign, small polyp to develop into spreading and invasive bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is a common condition – an estimated 10,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK. It is the seventh most common cancer in the UK,...

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Plymouth University

research

bladder cancer