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CONDITION RED -
DRIVERS WARNED AS POLLEN COUNT PEAKS
MILLIONS of motorists who
suffer from hay fever are being warned to take extra care when
driving as allergy experts predict weeks of misery ahead.
The arrival of summer sun and higher temperatures after the coldest
spring for 50 years will mean an explosion of pollen from grass and
trees.
Allergy UK's Director of Clinical Services, Maureen Jenkins
explained:- "Grass pollen is now beginning to spread; taking
up to 4 weeks from the onset of pollination to blanket the UK from
the South to the far North. In addition, trees that pollenate late,
such as oak, will cause high pollen counts if the weather becomes
hot and dry, particularly in the South and London."
Some 4 million motorists suffer from hay fever and insurance
companies estimate that 1.5 million of them have been involved in a
small prang or near miss due to severe sneezing, watering eyes or
drowsiness resulting from allergy medication.
Rory Carlin from independent garage chain Halfords Autocentres
said:- "A properly maintained air conditioning system can be a
vital first line of defence for hay fever sufferers. Around 80% of
vehicles are now fitted with air conditioning, which can drastically
alleviate the symptoms of hay fever by helping to screen out pollen;
provided they are properly maintained and filters are changed
regularly. Our garages have tested or serviced more than 35,000
air-conditioning system in the past year and found that over 3
quarters of them were not operating efficiently. We offer a simple,
free check that can identify if a system requires attention, which
could significantly reduce the misery of millions of sufferers."
Allergy UK's Director of Clinical Services, Maureen Jenkins added:-
"Preventative steps such as keeping car windows closed and
using air conditioning to remain cool, in conjunction with nasal
sprays, eye drops and, for those with minimal or intermittent
symptoms, a once daily, non-sedating anti-histamine can make a big
difference."
Expert tips for hay fever sufferers include:-
► Keep car windows closed and the air intake on 're-circulate'
when driving.
► Choose a car that is fitted with an effective pollen filter, or
get an in-car air filter.
► Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen grains reaching the eye.
► Start taking your hay fever remedies before the pollen starts to
appear.
► Changing clothes and washing hair when arriving home to remove
pollen helps those with significant hay fever.
► Keep house windows closed from early morning to late afternoon, as
this is when pollen levels are at their highest.
► When pollen counts are high, dry washing inside.
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"BAG IT AND
BIN IT" SAYS MP FOR SOUTHPORT AS DOG FOULING ON THE RISE FOR 1ST
TIME IN 10 YEARS
ORTHOPAEDIC surgeon Rob
Gillies is the new executive medical director at Southport and
Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. He was formally Deputy Medical Director
at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in Manchester which is the 2nd
largest non-teaching trust in the UK. Rob succeeds
paediatrician Dr Geraldine Boocock who is retiring after 26 years
with the Trust and nine as medical director.
Rob Gillies said:- "I am thrilled to be joining the Trust at
such an exciting time on the journey to achieving foundation trust
status as well as becoming an exemplar integrated care organisation
providing care across hospital, community and home. I look forward
to working with all my healthcare colleagues in providing the best
services possible to our patients."
Rob graduated from Liverpool University in 1982 doing basic surgical
training in Liverpool and higher surgical training in the North
East, West Midlands and a knee surgery fellowship in Toronto during
1993. He was appointed as a consultant orthopaedic knee surgeon at
Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 1995. In 2004
Rob was appointed as Associate Postgraduate Dean in the Mersey
Deanery, NHS North West and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the
University of Liverpool and led on the introduction of Modernising
Medical Careers and the selection and assessment of junior doctors.
In 2008, he obtained a Masters in Medical Education from University
College London and is completing a Masters in Medical Leadership
Programme at Birbeck, London University, and the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He has chaired regional and
national surgical training committees for the Royal College of
Surgeons of England and was the Caldicott Guardian for the Joint
Committee for Surgical Training (2008 to 2011). He has performed
various Quality Assurance roles for Royal colleges, higher education
institutions and the General Medical Council.
Rob, who lives in Aigburth,
Liverpool, is married to Eve, a schoolteacher. They have 3
daughters, Stella, Ruth and Charlotte, and a son, Robert. In
his spare time, Rob relaxes by following Liverpool Football Club and
training German short-haired pointer gun dogs. |
