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Get Ready for
Winter in Merseyside; prepare for severe weather with the
Red
Cross
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THE British Red Cross is
urging residents in Merseyside to gear up for severe weather as the
nights draw in. Snowfall, ice and heavy rain will likely
threaten the UK throughout winter and can lead to flooding, road
closures, dangerous driving conditions, and power cuts. But
there are simple steps everyone can take to help minimise the risk
to yourself and others should the worst happen.
Tens of thousands of advice leaflets are currently being distributed
across the country and will also target vulnerable groups such as
isolated elderly people. The advice can also be found
online.
Preparing an emergency kit at home and for the car can make a
difference; being sure to include items like bottled water, contact
numbers, insurance details, a torch, spare blanket and warm clothes.
The British Red Cross is conducting a year-long research project
into the impact of flooding on households across the country, with
145 people who had first hand experience taking part, including
people in Merseyside.
Initial findings show 75% of people said they did not have enough
information about how to prepare before being flooded and were keen
to have greater advice on what to do before and during severe
weather.
Along with the physical damage 78% of people said flooding had a
psychological impact; with anxiety, stress and depression being
picked out as particular problems.
British Red Cross head of emergency planning and response Simon
Lewis said:- "British weather is notoriously unpredictable but
it is vital the public are prepared and ready to deal with the
severe conditions that will inevitably affect some areas of the
county over the next few months. By taking these simple steps and
making an effort to look out for people in your community who might
be vulnerable, you can make a huge difference."
The British Red Cross has advice on how to plan and prepare for
severe weather at home and while on the move this winter. For more
tips and information, go to:-
redcross.org.uk.
Royal set for
regional first in breast cancer care
A revolutionary new service
being pioneered at the Royal will help to speed up breast cancer
results to see if a cancer has spread following surgery for breast
cancer.
The One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) test is the first of
its kind in the North West and will mean that patients will no
longer have to wait up to 2 weeks to find out whether or not their
cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (glands located in the arm
pit). This service will help to reduce patients' anxiety and give
them faster access to treatment.
Currently patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer will have
some of their lymph nodes removed to check whether the cancer has
spread. These lymph nodes are closely examined and it may take ten
days for test results to be available; meaning an anxious wait for
the patient. If the results show that a cancer has spread to the
lymph nodes most patients will have another operation to remove more
lymph nodes. This can mean a wait of a further 2 to 3 weeks for this
additional surgery.
With the OSNA test, the lymph nodes can be tested during the initial
breast cancer surgery and these results are available within 30
minutes. If the cancer has spread to the nodes, then surgeons can
remove them during the same operation; saving the patient from an
anxious wait for results and possibly more surgery with an extra
admission to hospital.
Geraldine Mitchell, consultant breast surgeon said:- "This is
a great step forward in breast cancer surgery and will benefit
patients having their breast cancer treatment at the Royal. The OSNA
test means that patients no longer have to wait two weeks to know
whether or not their breast cancer has spread to their lymph nodes
and then a further wait for additional surgery. The Royal is at the
forefront of cancer care in Merseyside and we are delighted to be
pioneering this new treatment."
The first patients to benefit from the OSNA test are set to undergo
surgery over November 2012.
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Keep warm and
healthy – and you can stay seated
 YOU can keep warm and
healthy this winter from the comfort of your own chair. That's
one of the messages of this year's Liverpool Winter Survival
campaign which was launched recently at Breck Road Library.
At the launch that was attended by nearly 100 residents, along with radio personality
Pete Price, for the re-launched of the very successful 'Healthy Homes Chair'
based
exercise DVD. It shows a fun-filled chair-based exercise
routine for older people which they can do alongside Pete from the
comfort of their own homes. The exercises help them to stay active
and warm during the cold winter months when weather conditions may
reduce their mobility. The DVD was released last year and is back
due to popular demand. Copies of it are available from Radio City.
As well as picking up a DVD visitors were given information about
how to prepare their homes for cold weather and how to keep
themselves warms and safe. At the launch event Winter warmer
hats, blankets, thermal cups, thermal vests and socks were given out
. Further Winter Survival road shows will be held at:-
► 5 November 2012, at the Spellow Lane Library,
from 10am to 12 noon
► 12 November,
at the Toxteth Library from 10am to 12 noon
► 20 November,
at the Old Swan Library, from 12 noon to 2pm
► 28 November,
at the Dovecot Library, from 12 noon to 2pm
The campaign is being run by Healthy Homes Programme team – a joint
initiative by the City Council and Liverpool PCT.
Councillor Roz Gladden, Assistant Mayor, said:- "This is a
very important campaign. There is lots of practical advice on
keeping warm and information how you can afford to pay for heating
available and I would urge elderly people to make sure they take
advantage of it and keep safe and warm this winter."
Further information about preparing for winter is available from:-
metoffice.gov.uk.
A twist on Dickens classics marks
bicentenary
THE venue which played host
to Charles Dickens and his famous penny readings is marking the
author's bicentenary with two special performances. St
George's Hall's Concert Room, described by Dickens himself as:-
"the most perfect room in the world", will play host to
the unique A Christmas Carol; as told by Jacob Marley (deceased) and
Fagin's Last Hour. Both productions, which will be
showcased in November, have been written by critically acclaimed
James Hyland who also takes centre stage in the impressive one man
plays. ►
A Christmas Carol; as told by Jacob Marley (deceased) takes
place on Tuesday, 13 November 2012. The story; as told by
Jacob Marley (deceased) has already been a huge box office hit in
London's West End and in their review, The Stage said people were
bound to be 'enthralled' by the production. Suitable for those from
seven years of age and upwards, it is told from the perspective of
Scrooge's deceased business partner, delivering thrills, chills as
he recounts the tale of his miserly business partner, Ebenezer
Scrooge, and the path that lead to his redemption.
► Fagin's Last Hour on Wednesday, 14
November 2012. This adaptation of Oliver Twist and gives a
never before seen insight into the character of Fagin the Miser, 1
hour before his execution. This ground-breaking stage production
gives the audiences a new perspective on one of literature's most
controversial villains and was described by The Dickensian (the
official journal of The Dickens Fellowship) as "powerfully
portrayed".
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "The Concert Room is the
perfect venue for these productions; not only was it a favourite of
Charles Dickens, but the acoustics and the beautiful surroundings
make it an extra special experience for the audience. The positive
reviews James Hyland has received so far are sure to increase demand
for these unique events and so I'd recommend people book their
tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!"
James Hyland said:- "I'm absolutely delighted to be performing
at St George's Hall Concert Room. To be performing my own one-man
show adaptations of two of Charles Dickens' finest works, namely
'Oliver Twist' and 'A Christmas Carol', is a very great honour
indeed, especially considering the fact that Dickens had performed
his own reduced versions of the aforementioned novels in the very
same venue; a venue of immense grandeur and history. Dickens'
performances of 'Sikes and Nancy' and 'A Christmas Carol' were
world-renowned, performed with a passion and conviction unheard of
prior to their release. Following in his footsteps, I greatly look
forward to performing in this magnificent venue."
St George's Hall is presenting the productions in partnership with
Brother Wolf Productions in association with Harrogate Theatre.
Tickets are £12 per person (£10 concessions) and can be bought
online or by calling:- 0844 8000
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