|
|
Welcome. In this issue, the following topics are covered:
- Six years of Park Active
- Diabetes advice during Ramadan
- Norovirus rates are high
- Breast screening
- Help to quit smoking
- Tuberculosis - what is it?
- Don’t carry cancer worries with you
- Stop a stroke before it happens
- Vaccination, heart health and conversation clinics
- Older people urged to get RSV vaccine
- Breastfeeding support
- Community toothbrush scheme
- Get your child ready for school
- Liquitabs – danger for children
|
|
|
A free volunteer-led exercise programme in five borough parks has reached its sixth birthday.
Park Active, a programme of weekly exercise sessions co-ordinated by Dudley Council, first launched in February 2019. Since then there have been more than 6,000 total attendances and 50 volunteers have been trained.
The authority recruits volunteers who have usually never worked in the fitness industry before and trains them to deliver simple outdoor fitness sessions using body weight exercises.
Two such volunteers – Donna Dawson and Prit Patel – have clocked up 100 hours of volunteering since 2022 delivering the sessions at Abbey Street park in Lower Gornal.
For more details on the weekly Park Active sessions, or for information on how to become a volunteer yourself, visit the Healthy Dudley website.
|
|
|
The UK Health Security Agency’s latest national norovirus report shows that norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, in particular amongst adults aged 65 and over.
Simple steps you can take to avoid spreading the infection:
- Stay home for 48 hours after symptoms clear
- Wash hands with soap and warm water
- Remember that alcohol gels don’t kill the norovirus
- Don't prepare food for others if you have the virus
|
|
|
Taking your bra off at the end of the day feels great. And so does getting your breast screening sorted.
It can detect cancer before you can feel it. Or more likely, put your mind at rest. So when you're invited, save the date. It could save your life.
|
|
|
Quit smoking and take back your life this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 12 March.
There’s lots of free support to help you on your quitting journey. Find out more on the Your Health Dudley website.
|
|
|
Last year levels of tuberculosis (TB) in England increased by 13 per cent. What are the signs and symptoms of TB?
- A cough that lasts more than three weeks
- Unexplained weight loss
- A high temperature
- Heavy night sweats
- Lack of appetite
- Feeling very tired and having no energy
If you have these symptoms, see your GP.
|
|
|
We know that people worry about cancer but sometimes put off getting checked because they hope the symptoms will go away or think they will get bad news. But finding cancer early makes it more treatable and can save lives.
If you are worried about a symptom that could be cancer, contact your GP practice. Whatever the result, your NHS is there for you.
Don’t carry the worry of cancer with you, if something in your body doesn’t feel right, contact your GP. Until you find out, you can’t rule it out.
For more information on cancer signs and symptoms go to nhs.uk/cancersymptoms
|
|
|
All adults, especially those aged 40 and over, are encouraged to check their blood pressure regularly so that you can stop a stroke before it happens.
Contact your GP practice or enquire at your local pharmacy to book an appointment.
Find out more about blood pressure on the Healthy Dudley website.
|
|
|
Pop-up vaccination and conversation clinics for adults are still taking place in Dudley Marketplace and Asda, Brierley Hill.
Come and talk to the friendly team about immunisations, and while you’re there you can get your blood pressure and heart health checked too.
The flu vaccine will be available until 31 March 2025. The team will be happy to answer any queries you may have about this and other vaccines. If you’re eligible, and you’d like your vaccine, you can have it straight away.
In addition, the following checks are available:
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- BMI
If eligible you can also get your full NHS health check completed.
|
|
|
The NHS is urging around 1.3 million older people who have not yet had the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to get jabbed, as health service chiefs warn it is “not just a winter illness”.
Invites are being sent to people not yet vaccinated against RSV who are aged 75-79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024, encouraging them to book an appointment with their GP.
RSV spreads all year round and affects the airways and lungs, and for older adults can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions.
|
|
|
There are many ways you can get help with breastfeeding. Health visitors, midwives, peer supporters, helplines, family members.
You can also borrow a breast pump free of charge from your health visitor, local Family Hub, or Russells Hall Hospital maternity department.
Find local breastfeeding support on the Dudley Council website. Get local health and wellbeing information for your baby on the Healthy Dudley website.
|
|
|
Dudley Council is rolling out its successful community toothbrush scheme to young people with special educational needs in the fight against child tooth decay.
Over the last 18 months, the local authority’s oral health team has led Dudley’s Community Toothbrush Scheme by giving out more than 65,000 free toothbrush packs.
The packs include a specially adapted toothbrush and toothpaste, an information booklet for parents, a toothbrushing chart, a step by step guide and flashcards to encourage children to have better oral health.
As a result of the progress made with the campaign it is being extended to include some children with special educational needs (SEND).
|
|
Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising.
If your child is getting ready to start school, it’s time to book their pre-school booster vaccinations, to give them protection.
From three years and four months old, children are given the 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) booster.
It's important that vaccines are given on time, but if your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP surgery to catch up.
|
|
|
|
|
