Health News

Public Health England warns travellers of rabies risk

This reminder comes after a UK resident sadly died after becoming infected with rabies following a cat bite during a visit to Morocco. There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case but, as a precautionary measure, health workers and close contacts are being assessed and offered vaccination when necessary.

Rabies is passed on through injuries such as bites and scratches from an infected animal. There are no documented instances of direct human to human transmission.

A chance to help shape local NHS services in Bedfordshire by joining Patient and Public Engagement Committee

Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) is offering a unique opportunity for members of the public to get involved in shaping local health services.

Bedford Parents are being encouraged to give their views on SEND facilities in the Borough

Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum (BBPCF) is leading on the engagement with local families to better understand what is important to them and any barriers that families have faced and are holding a number of events in Bedford. The events are open to all those that live in or access SEND services in Bedford Borough.

One in three children leave primary school overweight or obese

The government is asking local authorities to apply to its Trailblazer programme, in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA).

This three-year programme forms part of the second chapter of the government’s childhood obesity plan. This includes the aim to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

Up to 12 local authorities will be supported to develop practical plans, and in spring next year 5 authorities will be selected.

An STI is diagnosed in a young person every 4 minutes in England

Public Health England (PHE) statistics show that a case of chlamydia or gonorrhoea is diagnosed in a young person every 4 minutes in England. There were over 144,000 diagnoses of these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in people aged 15 to 24 in 2017.

PHE’s ‘Protect Against STIs’ campaign highlights the increased likelihood of contracting a life-changing STI if people have sex without a condom. The impact of having an STI is significant, particularly if left untreated as they can cause major health issues, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, swollen or painful testicles, and reactive arthritis. In pregnant women, STIs can lead to higher risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Care for bereaved parents can and must improve say baby loss charities

More than 60 charities, who are working to prevent baby deaths and pregnancy loss and to support families, are today (9 October 2018) urging all NHS Trusts and Boards across the UK to improve bereavement care for parents.

The call comes at the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2018 (9-15 October). During this week bereaved parents, their families and friends unite across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives.

Health News: Alcohol causes 1 in 13 breast cancers

Every year over 55,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer with alcohol causing 1 in 13 cases.

Alcohol increases the level of oestrogen in the bloodstream and long-term exposure to oestrogens increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

Drinkaware and Public Health England (PHE) are encouraging women of all ages to cut down on how much they are drinking by taking more drink free days to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer and a range of other health conditions including liver and heart disease.

Inaccurate results from some Clear & Simple Digital Pregnancy Tests

Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech has announced that they are recalling one batch of faulty Clear & Simple Digital Pregnancy Tests following some tests producing a small number of false positive results.

The batch number can be found on the end of the box and is also printed on the sachet. Only this batch is affected

New Urgent Treatment Centre is now open

The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Bedford Hospital opened on Monday (1 October). It offers patients access to same day GP and Nurse appointments from 11am until 11pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

To book an appointments patients should call NHS 111. Call handlers, supported by a clinical team, will assess the patient. If the UTC is the right place for the patient to be treated, they will make the patient an appointment, in most cases, on the same day.

World Mental Health Day 2018

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues, tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and promote open and positive conversations.

A free healthy mind and healthy body hub featuring a host of interactive activities is being held in Bedford’s Harpur Square to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Visitors will be able to try table tennis, ride a smoothie bike, learn about the wide range of exercise opportunities in Bedford and talk to health professionals about how to maintain their personal mental health and wellbeing.