Local healthcare company tackles 'mask poverty' across Sefton and Liverpool

LOCAL healthcare delivery company Bullens has been delivering a different kind of help to local Food Banks across Sefton and the wider Liverpool area; donating over 5,000 reusable face masks, hand sanitisers and wet wipes to combat 'mask poverty' across the borough. In response to reports from Food Banks across Sefton and Liverpool that people are struggling to afford face masks and other essential hygiene items following Government measures making the wearing of face coverings mandatory in many locations, Bullens set out to deliver reusable masks, hand sanitisers and wet wipes.

Commenting on the initiative, Bullen Healthcare's Marketing Director, Steve Winterson, said:- "With the wearing of face coverings becoming mandatory for many parts of daily life, the offering of free reusable face masks other essential hygiene items will be of extra benefit to those who are more vulnerable. Especially with the Liverpool City Region being placed under national lockdown restrictions it is more important than ever to look after our local community."

Bullens has been in the healthcare business for over 160 years, and as a 4th generation family owned business, which has its headžs in Liverpool, takes supporting local good causes seriously. Food Banks supported by the initiative include:- South Sefton, Salvation Army Southport and Southport Foodbank as well as others across the Liverpool City Region.

The Big Toy Appeal launches to bring joy to children whose families are struggling to afford Christmas

THE Salvation Army has once again teamed up with The Entertainer, the UK's largest high street toy retailer to deliver presents to children who need them the most in a year when many family budgets have been hit hard.

The Big Toy Appeal asks customers to consider picking up a toy online or in -store in areas where non-essential shops remain open to donate to a family in need at Christmas. For every toy donated, The Entertainer will also donate a toy, doubling the number of donations and increasing the number of families supported.

For parts of the UK in lockdown shoppers can easily take part in The Big Toy Appeal and donate a toy to The Salvation Army by adding a ₤5 toy to their basket at the checkout on the:- TheToyShop.Com and:- ELC.Co.UK. These toys will then be sent directly to Salvation Army centres for delivery to children.

This is the appeal's 3rd year with nearly 60,000 toys and books being donated through the scheme so far, thanks to shoppers and The Entertainer. It has meant children up and down the country were able to receive the gift of play, when they otherwise might have gone without on Christmas Day.

Many people have turned to The Salvation Army's frontline services for help since the start of the Pandemic due to job losses, furloughing and livelihoods disappearing. Corps have mobilised to offer vital support including:- food banks and hot meals for people self isolating, those shielding or simply unable to afford to cook. As a result, additional financial pressure to provide presents, at Christmas, will likely increase family hardship further.

Tony Daniels, Director of Community Services for The Salvation Army said:- "The Pandemic has brought some extremely difficult situations for families throughout this year. Christmas always brings extra demands on family budgets, but this year we're anticipating it will be even more difficult for many. The Big Toy Appeal allows us, with The Entertainer, to bring Christmas joy to families who need it the most right now."

Gary Grant, Founder and Executive Chairman at The Entertainer said:- "We are so grateful for the generosity of our customers. Each year, our Big Toy Appeal supports an ever increasing number of families. The financial difficulties we are facing this year will mean overwhelming difficulties for families trying to give their children a joyful and magical Christmas. Every child deserves to know they are special and the Big Toy Appeal is an opportunity for us to work together to help families celebrate the wonder of Christmas. For every toy bought and donated to the Big Toy Appeal, whether online or in 1 of our open stores outside of lockdown Regions, The Entertainer will also donate a toy, doubling the number of toys given and increasing the number of families that together we can support this Christmas."

This year, the Big Toy Appeal will run online and in stores which remain open outside of the Lockdown Regions, between 7 November to 28 November 2020.

'Help Us, Help You' campaign urges people not to ignore persistent tummy troubles

PEOPLE with persistent tummy troubles in the North West, including:- diarrhoea, bloating or discomfort in the tummy area, are being urged to get checked for cancer as part of the NHS and Public Health England's 'Help Us, Help You' campaign.  TV adverts and social media posts in the North West will urge people to speak to their GP if they have a symptom including diarrhoea, bloating or discomfort in the tummy area for 3 weeks or more as they could be a sign of cancer. Figures show that 11,694 people are diagnosed with cancers in the abdominal area in the North West every year, which includes ovarian, kidney and bowel cancers. More than 4 in 10 people would leave it longer to get health advice than they normally would have before the Coronavirus outbreak, however delaying can have serious consequences for some cancers. While there was a dip in referrals for these cancers at the peak of the 1st Covid19 wave, more people are now coming forward for checks. Hospitals have put extensive measures in place so that patients can get safely tested and treated, including by rolling out Covid19 protected hubs across the country and introducing treatment swaps that require fewer trips to Hospital and have less of an effect on cancer patients' immune systems. England's Top GP has said people should not hesitate to get in touch with their GP if they have concerns and reassured the public that local health services have plans in place so people can continue to get tests and treatment.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Medical Director for primary care for NHS England, said:- "If you or a loved 1 has 1 of these symptoms, please don't ignore them. Our message to you is clear;- you are not a burden and we are here to safely treat you so please don't delay - help us help you and come forward as you usually would for care. Cancer is easier to treat when it is caught at an earlier stage and so coming forward for a check could save your life."

Professor Daniel Palmer, Consultant Medical Oncologist, at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and Centre Lead for the Liverpool Experimental Cancer Centre (ECMC), said:- "Early diagnosis often leads to better treatment options and can save lives, so it's important to detect signs as early as possible. If you or a member of your family have any cancer-related concerns then speak to your local GP; they're here to support you. GPs are taking the utmost care to ensure practices are a safe and COVID-secure environment. We know that there are symptoms of abdominal cancer which people tend to ignore or feel embarrassed about. This campaign is about changing behaviour by alerting North West residents to the potential signs and encouraging them to go to their GP."

Dr Philippa Kaye, media medic, GP and diagnosed with bowel cancer:- "As both a GP and someone who has had bowel cancer myself, I have seen the situation from both sides and can honestly say, if you're experiencing any tummy troubles for a few weeks, your GP will want to know about it. Hopefully it's nothing serious, but if it is cancer there are lots of treatment options available and the earlier cancer is found, the better. I know that some of my patients are nervous to come to my clinic because of Coronavirus, but the NHS has put measures in place to ensure we can see you safely. So please, come and see us."

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director of Public Health England said:- "Far too many of us ignore what our body is trying to tell us. We say to ourselves it's nothing really, we don't want to make a fuss. But if you're getting persistent stomach problems it may be a sign of cancer, possibly bowel, kidney or ovarian cancer. It's so important you find out for sure as early as possible. Don't wait until it's too late. Be positive, take control of your health, get in touch with your GP. Our NHS has adapted its services and can see you safely. The new drive is part of NHS England and Improvement, and Public Health England's the 'Help Us, Help You' campaign which looks to address the barriers that are deterring patients from accessing NHS services. The campaign reminds people that the NHS has adapted its services and can still see patients safely."

Visit:- NHS.UK/CancerSymptoms for more information.

New eating disorder champion introduced for young people in Knowsley and St Helens

A new role has been created to help young people battling with eating disorders in Knowsley and St Helens to help spot the illness early and provide access to services more quickly. Provided by North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the 1st Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) champion, will work alongside existing eating disorder services at the Trust. They will specifically support 16 to 25 year olds, across the 2 boroughs, who have had an eating disorder for 3 years or less. This role was originally planned to be introduced in April but was delayed due to the Covid19 Pandemic. The Trust is 1 of only 18 specialist eating disorder teams to be selected from across the country, to deliver this new model which is part of the NHS Long Term Plan.

The FREED champion will help in providing rapid access to specialised treatment for young people with a recent onset eating disorder. By giving special attention to the challenges young people face, the FREED model is much more effective than traditional methods at reversing the changes to the brain, body and behaviour caused by eating disorders. Eating disorders can cause serious physical and mental health problems which can last for decades, which is why this new approach will target care to tackle problems before they escalate. Early intervention is therefore essential for preventing eating disorders from becoming chronic.

Dr Ashish Kumar, Associate Medical Director at North West Boroughs Healthcare, said:- "The Trust has been selected to be 1 of 18 national pilot sites to implement the new FREED champion model, which we are really excited about. By embedding FREED, it will allow us to intervene earlier and provide a new form of treatment. This brings our Trust to the national map of eating disorder services which offer this innovative model of treatment to young adults, and compliments our established children's and adult's eating disorder services. We are really grateful that our Knowsley and St Helens commissioners supported our application."

Patients wishing to access this service can be referred via their GP or through the main Eating Disorder Services for Knowsley and St Helens:-NWBH.NHS.UK/OurServices.