Research trials could help save lives

STROKE patients could be asked to take part in national clinical trials to help prevent strokes and/or improve quality of life of sufferers.

Working alongside the North West Stroke Research Network, Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust aims to increase opportunities for patients admitted to the Stroke Unit to take part in clinical trials, and these trials are part of the ongoing commitment to stroke research.

Current trials at the Stroke Unit include SOS - a stroke oxygen study, DNA-Lacuna which investigates genetic causes of stroke in younger people and Lots' Care - a rehabilitation study.

TRACS, a trial examining the training of caregivers after stroke, finished in January and is now in its follow-up stage. For this study the Trust received a Stroke Research Recognition Award for achieving the highest recruitment levels in the region. A continence-after-stroke trial, called ICONS, is planned to start in the autumn and the Trust is keen to launch a further clot-busting trial in the future.

Stroke Research Nurse for Southport Hospital, Margaret Marshall, said:- "The Recognition Award was an excellent achievement for our Stroke Research Team and the Stroke Unit staff. Within my research role I have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful patients and carers, and their contribution or participation, however large or small, is invaluable because today's research is tomorrow's care."

Involvement in medical research has been shown to improve quality of patient care as well as providing vital findings to influence future treatment and care. The stroke trials are conducted by professional, trained research staff.

Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust sees on average 500 stroke patients per year and offers fast, early diagnosis following a suspected stroke, using advanced techniques.

PROBLEM DRINKERS IN DANGER OF MISDIAGNOSIS

PEOPLE with alcohol problems are at risk of being misdiagnosed according to new research by Lookatyourdrinking.com, part of Tactus, the leading international addiction treatment provider. Before going through the online therapy programme, over a third (38%) of 1060 patients had previously received help for other conditions, but did not have their problem drinking (which existed at the same time) picked up or treated.  Although these patients had never previously sought treatment for their drinking problem, they had got help for conditions such as depression, relationship problems, overwork and burn out, anxiety problems, general psychiatric problems and grief, as well as a range of other reasons. However, despite these problems being recognisable symptoms associated with problem drinking, their drinking habits were not diagnosed.   Typically, patients are referred to alcohol therapy if their alcohol consumption is deemed to be a problem. The fact that this did not happen indicates that their therapist or psychologist did not recognise their behaviour as being part of a drinking problem and treated them for another psychological disorder without getting to the root of the problem.

According to Dr David Bremner, consultant psychiatrist and Medical Director at Lookatyourdrinking.com:- “In order to make any definitive conclusions further research is needed. However, early indications suggest that people could be being misdiagnosed and are not receiving the treatment they really need. They could need help for problem drinking rather than other conditions which can manifest as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. It is vital that therapists and psychologists are looking out for this when seeing patients. It is also possible that some patients deliberately hide their drinking problem from their therapist. This is where online therapy can be invaluable, as it can be undertaken anonymously and therefore overcomes any issues of stigma or shame.”

Use of online therapy is growing as it is an effective intervention for problem drinking that can be delivered to a large population who would otherwise not seek help. With Lookatyourdrinking.com, therapists work with clients to find individual solutions, whether it is cutting down alcohol consumption or quitting altogether. The programme is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which has proven to be very effective in face-to-face treatment. This approach distinguishes Lookatyourdrinking.com from other Internet interventions by forming an ongoing personal relationship between the therapist and client.

Diabetic Charity Family Fun Weekend 2010 - Formby

THE Diabetic Charity Family Fun Weekend was held at Duke Street Park again, from 17 July 2010 to 18 July 2010. The event this year was badly affected by the rain, but it did not dampen the spirits of those who attended this event. Southport, Formby and Ormskirk Children's Diabetic Club despite nearly being forced to cancel, due to the rain, battled on and put on what was a successful event, considering the conditions. With funfair and other attractions on the field, the event still attracted many locals, but turnout was very noticeable down. Let us hope that this does not put them off running it again. Well done and we hope we will see you next year!

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