Health & Beauty

“Awareness Has Grown Now Dementia Support Must Catch Up”

Progress has been made but people living with dementia and their families still face inconsistent, patchy support. It’s time for a joined-up national response.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a reminder to shine a light on dementia, which affects not only those diagnosed but also...

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The impact of lockdown on young people’s eyes

Opticians are advising Plymouth youngsters about how to look after their eyes after research shows the damage that’s been done during lockdown.

According to the Journal of School Health, researchers have found that children and teenagers spent more time in front of computers and mobile devices throughout the pandemic, causing eye strain, blurred vision and dry eyes.

The...

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How You Can Improve Your Mental Health And Improve Your Self-Confidence

Our mental health is very important to our overall quality of life, and letting it slip can be extremely detrimental to us. Today, we have a much better focus on mental health both as a society and in healthcare, and there are now countless resources available for us to work on improving our mental health. As well as these resources such as mindfulness apps, online services, and general...

Fungal infections: The most common types and how to avoid them

Anyone can develop a fungal infection, also known as mycosis, but there are a few areas of the body that are more prone than others. There are literally millions of different types of fungi out there and most of them are harmless but certain types that cause infection. Sometimes, a naturally occurring fungus on the human body multiplies more than necessary, other times, an area of your body...

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust sees improvement in oesophago-gastric cancer treatment

At the start of January, the national oesophago-gastric cancer audit was published for the period of April 2017 to March 2020. The audit found that University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) had continued to be better than the national average across many areas of oesophago-gastric cancer care.

Throughout the period covered by the report, UHP delivered the second largest number of...

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Getting the help you need this Easter weekend

With Easter fast approaching, Devon’s NHS leaders are calling on people to be prepared ahead of the bank holidays and the two-week school holiday period.

The long Easter weekend traditionally puts extra pressure on health services when most GP practices are closed and more people are outdoors enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Most GP practices will be closed for Easter...

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Get your child vaccinated this Easter

All children aged five and over are eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccination from 5 April.

Bookings can be made online or by calling 119 from 2 April. The vaccination is not being given to this age group in school. Walk-in and pop-up clinics are advertised on NHS England’s site finder here , but please check that the clinic is offering vaccinations to this age group.

Having...

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1500 Patients Cared for by Home Ventilation Team

A total of 1500 patients with lung and chest problems have now been treated at home by University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust’s Home Ventilation Team.

The service, run from the Chest Clinic at Derriford Hospital, has reached an amazing milestone in the history of home mechanical ventilation, after almost 20 years.

Starting with just 38 patients in 2004, patients originally...

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“Had I not had the vaccine, my risk of being admitted into hospital was extremely high” – Devon mum-to-be

Devon mum-to-be Tina Whitehouse has opened up about her experience of having the Covid jab and catching the virus in a short film .

Tina said: “For anyone in doubt about having the vaccine either before or during pregnancy. I would say I have managed to do both and my baby has grown happy and healthy.

“I would personally say, to protect yourself, to protect your baby, to...

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Cases of flu, norovirus and Covid on the increase in Devon

Health officials are warning that cases of COVID-19 – and other diseases that normally circulate in winter – are rising.

Increased social contact is thought to be one of the factors behind an increase in illnesses, which include flu and norovirus, sometimes known as the “winter vomiting bug”.

Although most of England’s Covid-19 restrictions have ended, the health and care...

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Council’s community testing service ending but outreach team will continue to support vaccinations

Devon County Council's community testing team, which has been delivering a mobile lateral flow testing service, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations, to local communities across Devon since January 2021, will change its operations from 1 April .

The government’s ‘Living with COVID-19’ plan will see the end to universal access to free lateral flow and PCR tests for most people at the end...

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