Category Archives: health
‘Sat nav’ cancer device at Merseyside centre
‘Sat nav’ cancer device at Merseyside centre
About 800 patients are due to benefit from the machine at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in its first year.
A groundbreaking radiotherapy device which could transform the way some cancer patients are treated goes into service on Merseyside later.
The Novalis Tx machine will allow doctors to treat tumours almost anywhere in the body in one session.
It uses a system similar to a ‘sat nav’ to destroy cancerous cells but helps to protect surrounding healthy tissue.
About 800 patients are due to benefit from the machine at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in its first year.
Dr Brian Haylock, consultant oncologist and clinical director for radiotherapy, said: “Unlike some other highly specialised radiation treatment machines, the Novalis Tx can treat many different types of cancer all over the body allowing us to treat more cancer patients with a single device.
“This coupled with the speed with which we can treat patients – in some cases in as little as 15 minutes in just one session – means the equipment will be available for the benefit of more patients here in the UK.”
‘Inspirational stuff’
The machines will also go into service at two other centres in Manchester and Edinburgh.
Almost 300,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year.
Recent estimates show that of those, almost 50,000 people develop either primary or secondary brain tumours.
Sue Farrington-Smith, director of Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are delighted that advanced brain tumour treatments like the Novalis Tx are now available to cancer patients on the NHS.
“The work of Clatterbridge and The Walton Centre Trusts in Liverpool will undoubtedly provide the best cancer care for their patients. This is inspirational stuff.”
Internet first for blind Norwich resident
Internet first for blind Norwich resident
Donna-Louise Bishop, Local Life editor
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
11:15 AM
State of the art technology has revolutionised wireless listening for a Norwich woman who is registered blind.
“I operate it completely independently. It’s a hundred times easier than trying to find stations on a computer.”
Annabel Clifton
Annabel Clifton, a Braille tutor for Norfolk County Council, has become the first person in Norfolk to receive a Sonata internet audio player.
Miss Clifton, of Amderley Drive, off Newmarket Road, Eaton, is totally blind and explained why the product has made a difference.
“I like the simplicity of it. It’s the opposite of complicated,” she said.
“Once it’s set up, it’s so easy as you just have to press a few buttons. I never miss an episode of The Archers as I can easily access it via the podcasts.”
A lover of all kinds of music, Miss Clifton is also a singer and she and her partner John Bygrave, who plays the saxophone, often perform locally and record in Mr Bygrave’s studio.
Miss Clifton added: “I operate it completely independently and enjoy listening to country music from America and news and music from places as far afield as Mexico and Beirut. It’s a hundred times easier than trying to find stations on a computer.”
Fiona Pickett, British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) regional development manager said: ‘I’m delighted Annabel is getting so much enjoyment from her Sonata.
“It’s the first internet audio player specifically for users with sight loss and we’ve had a really good response to it.”
The BWBF charity spends about £475,000 per year providing audio equipment for blind and partially sighted people in need.
As an independent charity it receives no government funding or lottery money and it exists entirely on the kindness and generosity of its supporters.
For further information or to support the BWBF with a donation visit www.blind.org.uk or call 01622 754757.
Have you received a life-changing product? Contact Donna-Louise Bishop at donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772438.
Hospice offers practical help to carers and patients
Hospice offers practical help to carers and patients
1:10pm Monday 7th February 2011
TWO new support groups are being launched at Halton Haven Hospice.
The patients and carers support groups are open to anyone aged over 18 with a life limiting illness or people caring for a relative or friend with a life limiting illness.
Gaynor Ashton, quality assurance officer at the hospice, said: “We believe the specialist needs of someone with a life limiting illness and their carers can best be met and supported by the skilled, professional team at Halton Haven.
“One of our key aims is to remove the perceptions and fears that people have of a hospice and to show the community the full range of services and support available here.”
The groups will meet on the third Wednesday of every month, from 3.15pm to 4.30pm, in two separate rooms, to give patients and carers their own space.
The first meeting is on February 16.
Information, financial advice, welfare rights, employment rights, legal issues, stress management, spiritual and emotional support and symptom management are just some of the many topics which will be covered.
For further details, call Gaynor Ashton or Jan Gray on 01928 712728.
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