Health News 2010 07 July

Health NEWS SUMMER HEALTH EDITION JULY 2010 CONTENTS WIN! WIN! WIN! GO FOR

Priceless prizes YOUR must be won...... and make a world GUARANTEED of difference no losers! PRINT GOAL! SEE PAGE 2 1 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Time to make a PLEDGE NEWS Greatest ever competition and everyone WOW! is a winner! EASY TO ENTER PRICELESS PRIZES! YOU probably think the competition Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Health News headlines above are a bit gimmicky spells out how every reader can make ... and perhaps not the usual themselves a winner and enjoy better health as the prize. “sound-bites” used by the NHS in There have probably never been so many communications materials! opportunities – and so much inspiration – to But we are conﬁdent that our claims will improve your health by getting a little – or a stand up to scrutiny – even if the Advertising lot – more active. PRINT Standards Authority chose to evaluate them. It seems that everywhere we look This special Go For Goal edition of NHS there’s top class sporting events going on 2 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Time to make a PLEDGE NEWS

You’ll get the greatest prize of them all... better health! CONTINUED FROM improve your health and wellbeing PREVIOUS PAGE – whether it’s getting involved in – World Cup football, top tennis sport or simply pledging to get a little tournaments, athletics events, more active by walking a few miles to cycling races, golf tournaments. put that extra spring in your step. And then there are the thousands We highlight the Scotland-wide of “ordinary” people who are just Active Nation campaign which opens getting involved in exercise and sport the door to everyone to go online for fun and for health. and make a Personal Activity Goal This newspaper brings together … there’s no rules, no regulations … just a few inspirational ideas for you just a simple call to action to do a bit PRINT to make your own personal goal more than you already do. and make lifestyle changes that will The website gives you links to 3 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Time to make a PLEDGE NEWS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE loads of activities you might want to get involved in – anything from sponsored fun runs to mountain bike events and swimming galas. You might even want to make your activity goal part of a pledge to drink a little less alcohol or quit smoking. It wouldn’t take an awful lot to give Scotland a healthy shove in the right direction. And it would seem thousands of us are already setting the pace. The Evening Times newspaper, in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has got right into the swing of things as the city builds up to hosting the 2014 Commonwealth and have fun while you get Working Lives programme follow will provide some Games. healthier! encouraging work encouragement to join in. If colleagues to mix sport Their Glas-Goals Gone are the days when you don’t do anything very and other healthy lifestyle campaign has got people exercise is viewed as a active then make your goal activities with the working of all ages out and about chore that just has to be to pledge to do a little. If environment. and having fun getting done … it’s the new buzz you do a little – then pledge more active. This edition word for fun, health, vitality This is also to do a bit more. We all will tell you more about and style. featured in this know we should and could how you, your school, your Employers are quickly special Go for Goal do something to improve PRINT workplace, your street or switching on to the edition. our health and wellbeing. your family can get involved Scotland-wide Healthy We hope the pages that Let’s all be winners. 4 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Be INSPIRED to do more NEWS RICHARD Osborne and Stephanie Bell are two RICHARD SHOWS HE remarkable Scots. Their ambitious goals – to swim HAS A LIONHEART the depths of our seas and Paralysed in scuba diving accident... but brave instructor vows to take the plunge again to scale the heights of our GIFTED scuba diving fears were realised when they “I then spent five days receiving Munros - are instructor from South all completely ran out of air. The treatment in a decompression impressive in Queensferry, Richard only thing for it was to race to the chamber before being air themselves. Osborne was having the surface. ambulanced to Aberdeen. The decompression treatment time of his life helping All of Richard’s party But what had little effect and I had been make their tourists in Cyprus explore made it without incident. But by the time Richard informed that I was paralysed stories so the underwater delights of made it to the surface from the bottom of my ribcage inspiring are the Mediterranean when his life had changed down. not the goals tragedy struck in August forever. “After more decompression they have 2009. treatment in Aberdeen where the set but the “Tiny nitrogen bubbles had On his day off, Richard and a become lodged in my spinal national Hyperbaric Unit is based obstacles group of other diving enthusiast column, as I moved to the surface I was transferred to the Southern they have friends decided to do a deep dive General Spinal Injuries Unit.” danger is that you have to at speed they expanded and overcome to to explore more of the waters approach the surface very slowly. by the time I got up there my The unit was to be Richard’s achieve them. around the coast of Cyprus. spinal column had been severely new home for five months. Their inspiring When you dive you actually have While underwater the oxygen compressed air in your tank. As twisted. I had what is commonly But far from despair at the cruel accounts tanks of a number of his friends we all know air is made up of called the Bends, otherwise twist of fate that had befallen show just ran out of air far sooner than oxygen and nitrogen. But when known as spinal decompression him Richard’s attitude was one what you can expected. Richard and a few it’s compressed breathing it in syndrome.” of remarkable courage and accomplish if others then had to share their doesn’t use up the nitrogen. As Unbelievably Richard managed resilience. you set your oxygen with their friends in order such you have to approach the to swim back to shore even “I’ve always been a glass half mind to it. to get them all safely to the surface very slowly to let the though he had no feeling in full kind of a person. It really If they can surface. nitrogen dissipate.” his legs and his back was in wasn’t the end of the world. I PRINT do it, so can “This really was worst case But with 40 metres still to excruciating pain so much so that thought you know what, I can you. scenario,” said Richard. “The go to the surface, their worst he was vomiting while he swam. still do more or less all the things 5 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Be INSPIRED to do more NEWS Richard shows his lionheart CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGEI could do before but it’s just going to take a bit more planning! “I’ve always been really active and I knew that I couldn’t let this stop me. “Every Wednesday the unit has a sporting afternoon where you can try all sorts of sporting pursuits. I threw myself into all of them. It did me good in so many ways and crucially it kept my mind going – I had a release from all the relentless physiotherapy and gym sessions that I needed to do to Richard Osborne has enthusiastically taken up a number of new sporting activities and now plays basketball rehabilitate. for his local team. Photographs courtesy of Graham Bool Photography. “I discovered that basketball was my sport and now I play for the competition which gave me a great he can dive once again. forward to helping others overcome Lothian Phoenix team and train with rush. “I’m really looking forward their own mobility issues so that they them twice a week in the season. It’s “Being active helped me in so many to getting back into the too can enjoy diving regardless of their wonderful. I get up a 6am every day ways - I set myself challenges and water. Obviously it’s going own particular physical issues. and spend about an hour training in goals and meeting them felt really to be a challenge learning to the gym. exhilarating.” dive with this new body of “Staying focused and keeping “I also took part in the annual Almost a year after his accident, mine but I’m confident that I active has helped me come through inter-spinal unit games at the Stoke Richard has set himself another major can do it. this and my goal of returning to diving Mandeville Stadium in May. goal – becoming a diving instructor “Once I’ve mastered diving again instructing is now well within reach.” “The games feature a mix of again. my plan is come home and qualify To find out more about the inter- competition and ‘have-a-go’ Richard is currently spending a as an instructor with the International PRINT sessions; I tried all manner of different month travelling between Cyprus and Association of Handicapped Divers. I spinal unit games, log onto www. games and even won the shooting Egypt with his girlfriend Emily so that can’t wait and am very much looking wheelpower.org.uk 6 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Be INSPIRED to do more NEWS By yon bonnie banks... Stephanie lost five stones and scaled the heights BALLOCH shop assistant, her target weight of 12 stones. Stephanie Bell, found her Having achieved both goals, inspiration to get active Stephanie was ready to climb from her local surroundings. Ben Lomond. Driving around the area, the She explained: “I did it last 21-year-old was able to see month and once I got to the Ben Lomond wherever she Stephanie top I thought ‘this is one of went and decided that one day enjoys a the most amazing things I walk with she would climb it. have ever done, the view is her dog on But to achieve her goal, the banks absolutely amazing’.” Stephanie first had two very of Loch Stephanie’s now Lomond personal mountains to conquer near her – to give up smoking and lose planning to climb more home at five stones in weight. Bens and - thanks Balloch. to her new healthy Stephanie began The lifestyle - is also mountain smoking when aged considering a career she just 11 and latterly conquered - smoked 20 a day. BEFORE AND AFTER... change. Ben Lomond Stephanie lost five stones. - is in the But this stopped in January She explained: “My stepdad But Stephanie didn’t stop background. last year when Stephanie went is in the RAF and my aunt was there in her bid to become along to her local pharmacy in the army. Now I’m going and began a course of nicotine healthier. She also set herself a to look into the qualifications patch treatment. second personal goal - to lose I need to join up, something I five stones in weight. would never have considered The patches suited her: “I knew I didn’t need cigarettes Most people find stopping two years ago.” because I was getting nicotine smoking or slimming Getting active has certainly through the patches. I kept challenging enough on their proved life-changing for thinking, this is just a habit I own, but Stephanie was Stephanie, but as she says, PRINT need to break and having a determined to do both and has “Once I make up my mind I can goal helped me to do this.” now dropped from 17 stones to be very determined.” 7 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Now it’s up to YOU NEWS SO you’re inspired by what others are doing and know that you should be taking that initial step to better health, but FEELING GOOD! need a hand to Active Nation scheme get started. is helping Scotland to Active Nation get fit, have fun and – a new campaign which encourages live longer Scots to get more active in Here you will find lots of the run up to the A NEW national scheme information about getting Glasgow 2014 has been launched to help started, including suggestions for Commonwealth Scots get more active in the easy activities to get you going Games – can run up to the Glasgow 2014 as well as activities that you can provide all the Commonwealth Games. enjoy together as a family. help you need. Active Nation is asking You’ll be able to register your Whether you everyone to set a personal goal and keep a record of how are an absolute activity goal in a bid to build well you are doing through your beginner or you physical activity into our daily own personal activity tracker. just haven’t been lives. And the good news is that very active for The idea is to be a bit more housework counts too! a while, Active active than you are at the On the website, you’ll also find Nation has moment – this can be anything tips to keep you motivated long everything from from going for a brisk walk to after your initial enthusiasm may activities you’ll dancing with your kids at home. have passed. enjoy to tips to Active Nation will help you Thousands of people across help you stay track your progress and provide Scotland have already joined the healthy. opportunities for you to meet scheme and are now realising Remember, others who are doing the same. it into your everyday life. To join up and register their personal goals and at the same time having fun and feeling even making The scheme will also help So how do you get started? your goal, simply log onto small changes to you find activities in your local good about themselves. your activity levels area. This is a chance for you Setting your personal goal is the Action Nation website So go ahead, set your goal, PRINT can make a real to find something active to do the first step to getting active, – www.ouractivenation. and become part of Scotland’s difference to you. that you enjoy and then build having fun and feeling good. co.uk Active Nation! 8 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Now it’s up to YOU NEWS

All these people have pledged to become part of our Active Nation... what are YOU going to do? WALK to work. Vacuum the carpet. Do a spot of gardening. That’s enough to get you more active. ALLY, Getting more active isn’t KILMARNOCK about running a marathon or “I keep quite fit turning into someone you’re and eat a good not. It is about adding enough balanced diet but activity into your daily routine so that you feel the benefits. I know I could and It doesn’t have to be too should do more. THIS quartet of city centre lifestyle. others took part in the Race serious either, being active I work in the city workers have already signed for Life 5k recently. We are should be fun. That is why Karen explained: “When and always use the up for the Active Nation we first started our running all very proud of how far we it is really important to find lift at work. That’s activities that you enjoy doing Personal Activity Goal. group last September, have come thanks to the and want to keep up. And Michelle Jeffery, Liz most of us could only run encouragement we all give going to change McGovern, Karen Carberry for a minute to begin with. each other and its starting from now on as I Getting started can seem to show on the scales now a bit daunting but you’ll and Eleanor Anderson have We all made such great pledge to use the be surprised at how many made giant strides towards progress so some took part too. Our goal is to take part stairs (three flights activities there are to get you a fitter and healthier in the Woman’s 10k and in the 10k in September.” up to my office) started. And the great thing to and I pledge to know is that you are not alone BRIAN, EMMA, walk more briskly – the whole country is getting BISHOPBRIGGS GIFFNOCK active with you. when I take my “My goal is to walk “I pledge to join dog his walks every www.ouractivenation.co.uk more at weekends and my local Zumba day. Every little PRINT leave the car.” class.” helps!”

9 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH We’ve set our GOALS NEWS

ALEX, GLASGOW SANDRA, “My goal is to CROOKSTON GORDON, start jogging.” “I haven’t been to GLASGOW an exercise class “My goal is to for more than a increase the number year. My goal is of times I work out to re-join and go every week as well at least twice a as taking the stairs week.” at work instead of taking the lift.”

IMRAN, ANDREA, KINNING PARK GLASGOW “On some days my job “I pledge to involves travel from try and swim one location to another three times a MICHAEL, but on others, I’m week. I’m even NEWTON MEARNS deskbound. My goal is to thinking of LIZZIE, GLASGOW walk to work every day getting one of “I pledge to play that I am based at the those dinky little MICHELLE, GLASGOW “My goal is to take rugby for yet PRINT ofﬁce.” swim caps!” “I pledge to go running at least once a week.” up Zumba classes.” another season.”

10 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Improve your LIFESTYLE NEWS BY getting active you’ll be well on your way to better health. But as we all A GREAT know this is only part of the solution to the major health problems that REASON blight our country. Stopping smoking is the single most TO QUIT - important thing you can do to safeguard your health. Cutting down WHEN smoker Thomas Hughes found out he was going to become a dad... it was just the motivation he needed to quit. on alcohol and MY BOY! improving your diet will also When baby Cameron came along dad Thomas had no doubt play a big part. SELF-CONFESSED serial smoking as opposed to I shouldn’t smoke.” another or the facilitators down. It’s within quitter Thomas Hughes finally found Thomas therefore decided to kick the habit “I actually looked forward to going to the us all to make a reason to stop when partner Nicola and give up the 20 cigarettes a day he had group and was quite sad when it came to an these changes announced she was pregnant with smoked since he was 18. end.” that could their first baby. He joined a local smoking cessation group Thomas’ decision to quit was reinforced benefit our Thomas (30), an employability advisor with in the east end of Glasgow and found the when son Cameron was born 10 months ago health and support crucial. with cystic fibrosis. lifestyle. Here Glasgow East Regeneration Agency, said: we meet just “Before Nicola became pregnant I knew that I “We were a really tight knit group and kept Cameron was born at Glasgow’s Princess some of the should stop smoking. I tried to quit on many one another going. We also shared coping Royal Maternity and his condition was people to have occasions, but because I really didn’t want strategies,” he explained. diagnosed following the “heel prick” test made that to, I was always unsuccessful. “A particular source of motivation was which flagged up an abnormality leading to PRINT all-important “But when I knew I was going to become a when we had our carbon monoxide levels more tests. pledge. dad I found I didn’t want to smoke anymore, checked, because we didn’t want to let one Thomas said: “When I learned it was a 11 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Improve your LIFESTYLE NEWS Why you may BABY CAMERON want to think about quitting Around 30% of the population of GIVES THOMAS Greater Glasgow and Clyde smoke - that’s about 288,000 people.

People aged 25 to 44 smoke the REASON TO QUIT most. CONTINUED FROM fundraise for the Cystic Fibrosis You are 20 times more likely to die PREVIOUS PAGE Trust. from a smoking-related disease chronic lung condition I knew He completed his first than a road accident. it was pretty serious. It really Edinburgh Marathon earlier this knocked me for six, because year when he raised around In the UK, it is estimated that around Cameron looks perfectly healthy.” £1000 for the charity. He is now 17,000 under-fives are admitted to Since then the toddler has seen training for the Glasgow half hospital a year because their parents the specialist cystic fibrosis team marathon in September, and is smoke. at the Royal Hospital for Sick planning a repeat performance in Passive smoking can make Children at Yorkhill. the Edinburgh event next year. conditions such as asthma and “They have given us a lot of On top of this he’s bronchitis worse. information about the condition. taken up cycling and Because cystic fibrosis is a lung is in training for a 100 Smoking rates among young people condition they have told me that mile bike ride between in Scotland are the highest in the UK. smoking around Cameron is a Glasgow and Edinburgh Within 20 minutes of your last no-no,” explained Thomas. and surrounding areas in cigarette, blood pressure and pulse September 2011. He went on: “Cameron is doing rate drop to normal. really well and has become a wee Thomas added: “When I was bit of a daredevil, running around younger I played football. I was After eight hours of your last cigarette, in his walker, exploring cupboards smoking at the time and although the carbon monoxide level in the and grabbing anything he can get my heart rate was good, I later blood drops and the oxygen level in his hands on.” realised that that my lung capacity your blood increases to normal. was poor. Cameron’s condition also After 24 hours of your last cigarette, provided the motivation for “Now when I am doing my EX-SMOKER Thomas Hughes is now running your risk of having a heart attack PRINT Thomas to set another personal marathon training I am never out marathons to help raise funds for the Cystic decreases. goal - to take up running and of breath.” Fibrosis Trust! 12 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Improve your LIFESTYLE NEWS CONOR PLAYS HIS ACES! Youngster finds new lease of life thanks to NHS activity and eating scheme

CONOR Lynch is a childhood obesity, typical young lad the ACES or Active who loves sports and Children Eating Smart having fun with his programme helps children and young chums. people, with the support But making friends did of their families, to lose not always come easily or maintain weight to the youngster. His and make long-lasting self-esteem knocked changes to their lifestyle. by weight problems, Families who sign Conor preferred to stay up for the programme at home with his family attend 12 sessions each than mix with other lasting an hour and a children. half. The sessions are Conor (middle front) particularly enjoys the healthy cooking classes as part of the ACES programme. Then a year ago, held in the evenings healthy eating advice behaviours which involve Mum Lee-Ann (35) has in fact his conﬁdence Conor signed up to or after school in local such as how to make little or no activity - such noticed a real change in has shot through the NHS Greater Glasgow schools, leisure centres sense of food labelling as computer use - and Conor. roof and he is a totally and Clyde’s ACES and community venues. different boy! He has or how healthy is a milk introduce new ideas for programme and his life Each session is led She said: “The many more interests shake. was transformed. by an ACES coach who physical activity so each programme has made now, has joined a Launched in response provides support and They will also provide group can try something Conor much more CONTINUED ON NEXT to the increase of motivation as well as tips on changing they haven’t tried before. conﬁdent within himself, PAGE

Call Smokefree services You can break the on 0800 84 84 84 PRINT habit – we can help! for help to quit.

13 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Improve your LIFESTYLE NEWS Conor plays his aces! Smoke-free pupils win CONTINUED FROM said: “ACES is designed so PREVIOUS PAGE adults, children and young badminton group at the local people can learn some ‘tricks trip to Alton Towers sports centre, and we are of the trade’ about healthy doing more things together eating and have fun doing AS THOUSANDS of people now, such as going for walks. physical activity together. set a goal to give up smoking, school kids across Glasgow “Conor will try sports he “Each session has been and Clyde have been making would never have thought designed with practical the pledge not to take up the about before.The programme solutions in mind to help has opened up a whole new habit in the first place. families make realistic world of interests. changes that suits their The Smoke-Free Class Competition, organised “He really enjoys cooking, family, help them identify the every year by NHS Greater he’s a better cook than I am, ‘trigger points’ and what to and he makes healthy meals. Glasgow and Clyde, is open do and how to best support He still enjoys a snack, but to all secondary schools in their children become more is very aware of the number the area. active and eat more healthily. and types of snacks he eats.” Photograph courtesy of the Paisley Daily Express. Some weeks involve practical Pupils taking part have to ACES incorporates remain smoke-free for a year food sessions but there will competitions like this are so this is successful in delaying changes into daily family life and are subject to random be games and activities every important. the onset of smoking in and participants set weekly nicotine testing throughout week – so remember your She said: “The competition young people, which is very goals, use lifestyle diaries to the year. This year’s winners important, as evidence shows trainers!” aims to discourage pupils record progress and reap the were first year pupils from that the younger a smoker from experimenting with rewards but most importantly ACES is being widely Trinity High in Renfrew (right). starts the more difficult it is to tobacco, show that non- it’s about having fun together promoted through GP The pupils were rewarded give up.” - whether that’s playing practices, schools and smoking is normal, and with a dream trip to Alton Stephen Colligan, deputy dodge ball or learning to cook children’s services but promote discussion about the Towers. head teacher at Trinity High, pizza! anyone who wants to take benefits of remaining smoke- NHSGGC’s director of said: “We’re extremely proud Anne Gebbie-Diben, part can contact the service public health, Dr Linda de free. of all the hard work and effort NHSGGC’s health directly on freephone 0800 Caestecker, explained why “Research has shown that put in by the pupils.” improvement lead for nutrition 027 0291. You’re FOUR times more likely to quit using our Phone 0800 84 84 84 or go to stop smoking services and nicotine replacement PRINT therapy than trying to quit alone. www.nhsggc.org.uk/smokefreeservices

14 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Leading from the FRONT NEWS THERE’S a lot that you can do as individuals to improve your health. But we know that it’s important also to give people a helping TEAMWORK HELPS hand along the way. That’s why NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has teamed up with the TOEVERYONE knows theHIT OURRobertson, is amongstGOALS those and diet has created. Evening Times, Glasgow City Council statistics - we drink more, to have backed the campaign “When we were asked by which has been welcomed and other key smoke more and take the Evening Times to support by everyone from politicians partners to launch less exercise than almost their health campaign, we were and celebrities to schools, delighted to get on board. a major health anywhere else in Europe. businesses and community campaign to tackle We have alarmingly high “Glas-goals is a campaign groups. that everyone, young and old, the city’s poor health rates of heart disease, He said: “Glasgow is an can get involved in and I am record. cancer, diabetes and exciting and vibrant city, but, sure the outcomes will be ones And recognising strokes. sadly, there is one clear aspect we can all be proud of.” that the health of our The Evening Times has we cannot be so proud of and And the great news is that the staff is as important teamed up with NHS Greater that is our unenviable health results are already paying off. as the health of the Glasgow and Clyde and other status. Just five months into the people we serve, key partners in an ambitious “This health board is tackling campaign – with seven months we’re also working campaign to tackle this cigarettes, run or walk a the city’s problems with alcohol, still to go – the campaign has with the national appalling health record. million miles, lose hundreds of drugs, obesity, heart disease, already achieved two of its Healthy Working Glas-goals is a year-long stroke and inequality head ambitious goals. thousands of pounds off the Lives scheme to get campaign which sets healthy on and we are already seeing city’s waistlines. Back in February, when the our staff to do a bit targets for a healthy Glasgow. clear and positive evidence of campaign was launched, the And throughout the year, a more. It aims to inspire people of all change and improvement. challenge was set to stub out a So if you’re looking ages - either individually or in series of fun, informative health “But more still needs to be million cigarettes in Glasgow. for that bit of extra groups - to pledge to change and fitness events are being done to turn the tide and put a Since then, a massive 2.5 support to get you their lifestyle in some way. staged by the Evening Times to stop to the ticking health time million cigarettes have been PRINT going, we’re there for The ambition is to help get people involved. bomb that excessive smoking stubbed out... that equates to you. Glasgow stub out a million NHSGGC chairman, Andrew and drinking and poor exercise 2500 Glaswegians stopping 15 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Leading from the FRONT NEWS Teamwork helps to hit our goals CONTINUED FROM said: “The collaboration with PREVIOUS PAGE the Evening Times, Glasgow their 20-a-day habit for more City Council and our other than 50 days. partners is proving extremely Fiona Dunlop, of NHSGGC’s successful and to already Smokefree Services, said: have reached these targets is “More people are stopping something to be proud of. We smoking and improving their hope this campaign continues heath and that’s fantastic to get Glasgow moving.” news. “It’s so important that people Evening Times editor, Tony realise the services are there Carlin, said: “The whole aim of to help them quit, whether Glas-goals has been about it is through the pharmacy improving Glasgow’s dreadful service, community groups health record. All our partners, or hospitals, or through our Glasgow City Council, NHS young people’s or pregnancy Greater Glasgow and Clyde, services. Culture and Sport Glasgow “Many smokers think they and Glasgow Housing have to find the willpower to do Association, have worked hard it themselves, but it is easier to to help make a difference. do it with support.” This is a great start, but there And within days of is much more to do to make celebrating its first major Glasgow a healthier place to milestone, the campaign notched up a second goal.... live.” with 300,000 miles being To sign up to walked, ran, swam or cycled Glas-goals, email for Glas-goals. glasgoals@heraldandtimes. PRINT Linda de Caestecker, director co.uk and tell us what your Regular exercise and stopping smoking are just two of the main messages of the of public health for NHSGGC, goals are. Glas-goals campaign. 16 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Leading from the FRONT NEWS WE’RE DOING OUR BIT! Thousands of NHS staff are pledging to join the keep-fit campaign

NURSES, doctors and porters are amongst thousands of staff making the pledge to get fit, courtesy of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. We have teamed up with Healthy Working Lives to encourage staff to have a healthier and more active lifestyle. Walk leader Victoria McAlpine has seen great The national scheme aims to benefits from the exercise. help Scottish employers – big and small – to create a healthier and to go out on other walks during their safer workplace and offers practical Regular walking groups like the one organised by Johnstone Health breaks and you can see people are information, a free confidential helpline Centre (above) are helping NHSGGC staff stay fit. keener to work after getting out in the and an award scheme to recognise fresh air for a bit!” good practice. The walking groups in particular are And as walk leader Victoria Annual football, golf and hockey Across NHSGGC, hundreds of proving to be a real hit. Organised over McAlpine explains, there are other tournaments have also been set up... activities have been organised – from lunch breaks, the walks are open to all benefits to taking part besides getting with plenty evidence of ‘healthy’ rivalry salsa dancing in Inverclyde Royal staff irrespective of their fitness level. fit. between the teams representing our Hospital and a mocktail-making (non- Each walk is led by a trained walk “It helps build better relationships in hospitals and health centres. alcoholic cocktail) session in the Royal leader – a member of NHS staff who the team as you get to know people Chief executive, Robert Calderwood, PRINT Alexandra Hospital to regular walking has volunteered to set up and lead a and talk about other things apart from himself a keen participant in the annual and jogging groups. workplace walk. work. It has also encouraged people golf tournament, said: “The health 17 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Leading from the FRONT NEWS

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�� ●�� Sports like �� hockey, �� football, ●�� We’re �� walking and �� dancing are �� doing all helping NHSGGC staff stay fit. Progress on delivering our bit! the Vision for the Vale Significant progress has been made by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on delivering safe and sustainable services at the Vale of Leven Hospital. A 12-page newsletter has been produced to keep local communities informed on our CONTINUED FROM activities on offer, from a virtual activities into the workplace. We progress towards the Vision for the Vale. PREVIOUS PAGE walk of the West Highland Way to are now working towards our You can pick up a copy at the Vale of Leven of our 44,000 staff is just as samba classes, there’s a chance silver award, having successfully hospital, GP surgery, dentist, pharmacy, important as the health of the to try out something new or to attained bronze and the benefits community centre or local library. Or, if you people we serve. take up sports that many of us for the organisation have been would rather have a copy posted to your “It’s great to see so many of my haven’t played since our school tremendous. I would encourage home, call freephone 0800 027 7246 or log colleagues getting involved in so days! all employers – big and small – to onto our website www.nhsggc.org.uk/ PRINT many activities. “I believe it is hugely important get involved and support their visionforthevale and request your copy. “With such a wide range of to introduce social and health staff to get active.” 18 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Go for your GOALS NEWS WHEN it comes to aiding recovery, taking part in sport can play a significant role in speeding both physical and mental wellbeing. Whether it’s football, running, swimming or just about any other active sport, the rewards for putting in a bit of effort can be amazing. Hampden is stage

The football coaching for great project has made a difference to many of recovery the men taking part.

PLAYERS from around the world came from Occupational Therapist 18-35 years who are involved in seen many positive changes in their have been competing for World Scott Smart who works with patients community mental health teams, attitude as the sessions went on.” Cup glory, and while Scotland in north and east Glasgow. specialist services or who are Stuart Sharpe from the Scottish failed to qualify, a home-based He said: “The project is all about inpatients. Football Association said: “It has been squad are achieving their own using the sport to reduce stigma, Ross Paterson, Youth Coach for great to witness the success of this personal goals. increase physical activity and Queen’s Park and a former youth innovative new project. “Tackling Recovery” is a unique encourage confidence and self- player for the club, said: “When you “In week one, the players were scheme for people suffering from esteem. see the response from the boys, their cautious and almost overawed by their mental health issues and the 12-week “We introduced professional football attitude and application, this is a group surroundings, but you can see their football coaching project, based at coaching sessions, skills development I could work with every day. confidence growing as they thrive in Lesser Hampden Park, is using the and match play and at the end of “Sport is a great way of breaking this football environment. sport as therapy. the project we’ll evaluate the mental down barriers, it brings everyone “It’s great for the Scottish FA to see A joint venture between NHSGGC, and physical well-being changes in together and this project has been more people enjoying the game, and PRINT Queen’s Park Football Club and the participants.” wonderful to work on. There is a great it’s pleasing to see people growing in Scottish Football Association, the idea The scheme targets males between rapport amongst the guys and I have confidence both on and off the pitch.” 19 CONTENTS July 2010 HEALTH Go for your GOALS NEWS FROM COMA TO 10K Living to tell the tale made Douglas set ambitious goals for recovery LAST year on Father’s Day dad of bad way. The doctors told me that I decided to set myself another goal. two, Douglas Hannah (45), didn’t someone was coming from ITU to I wanted to give something back to know that his son Steven (15) assess me. That was pretty much the them, given that they’d saved my life. last I remember. The next thing I knew was sitting beside him crying. “So my elder son Craig and I I was waking up and Angela, my wife, Douglas was unaware of his boy’s decided to run the Glasgow Men’s 10k told me I’d been on a ventilator for to raise money for the hospital. tears because he was in coma, fighting three weeks and I’d nearly died.” for life after being severely affected by “More training sessions paid off Having come so close the H1N1 virus. because we managed to run the to death, Douglas was race in one hour and eight minutes. I “It wasn’t just me who had Swine determined to set some thought there was something wrong Flu, it was my two sons as well,” ambitious goals for recovery. with the clock when we found out our explained Douglas. “All three of us had “I was so relieved to be alive that I time! been feeling a bit under the weather just threw myself into the physio. It and then one afternoon my wife came was really tough at first but I set myself “Who would ever have home from work and found us all at the goal that I wanted to get back to thought when I was in a coma home with raging temperatures. work as soon as I could and be even last Father’s Day that a year “As the evening wore on I just fitter and stronger than before I got later I’d be running a 10k? couldn’t get a breath and eventually Swine Flu. “Now that I’ve achieved this latest ended up at A&E just before when it turned out to be Swine “At Christmas I went back to the goal, I’ve already set myself another collapsing. Flu. Thankfully the boys just had Southern ITU to take presents for the – I’m doing the 10k again next year but “Everyone was really shocked mild symptoms but I was in a really doctors and nurses. It was then that this time I’ll do it even quicker!”

Health News concept and production: NHSGGC Communications Directorate. Editors: Written, edited and published by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Ally McLaws, director of communications and Sandra Bustillo, associate director of Communications, Dalian House, 350 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G3 8YZ. communications. Tel 0141 201 4443. www.nhsggc.org.uk Health News is published four times a year and has a circulation of 400,000. It is inserted Design: Alistair Nicol PR & Design, Ayr. Tel 01292 287492 Website: in The Herald, Sunday Herald and the Evening Times newspapers and also distributed www.nicolmedia.co.uk PRINT throughout hospitals and health centres. It is also available to read online or in audio format Health News is produced using recycled paper. When you have ﬁnished for the visually impaired at www.nhsggc.org.uk with this newspaper please recycle it. 20