Be safe in the sun this summer

FREE, cancer information and support is coming to Merseyside. Macmillan Cancer Support's Mobile Information and Support Service will be visiting the area, with cancer information specialists on hand to answer any questions. The team encourages anyone with worries relating to cancer to stop by.

Now that summer is almost here, the team will also be providing specialist information about sun safety and skin cancer (please note, the team will be unable to perform skin checks).

Details of the visit:-

► Monday, 30 April 2018, Morrisons, 38 Dee Lane, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 0QA, from 9am to 4pm.

► Tuesday, 1 May 2018, Catherine Street (Opposite Asda) Birkenhead, CH41 6HW, from 9am to 4pm.

► Wednesday, 2 May 2018, Outside Lloyds Bank, Liscard Way, Wallasey, CH44 5TL, from 9am to 4.30pm.

► Thursday, 3 May 2018, Morrisons, Marine Point, Kings Parade, New Brighton, Wallasey, CH45 2PB, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

► Friday, 4 May 2018, MonumentDe Place Markets, London Road, Liverpool, L3 8JA, from 9am to 4pm.

There are 2 main types of skin cancer: non melanoma and melanoma. Around 136,000 cases of non melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year which makes it the most common type of cancer by far. It is unlikely to spread, very treatable and the earlier it is diagnosed the easier it is to treat.

Melanoma is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. Around 15,400 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the UK each year. It is more common in people with fairer or freckly skin. Around 27% of new cases occur in people aged 75 and over.

Unlike other cancer types, malignant melanoma also occurs relatively often in people of younger ages.

Debbie Smith, from the mobile information team, said:- "Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. This may be long term exposure, or short periods of intense sun exposure and burning. Using sunbeds can also increase your risk. Our team will be on hand to answer questions about sun safety and for any other cancer related queries."

For further information about MacMillan's mobile information service, and planned visits, go to:- MacMillan.Org.UK/MobileInfo.

If you are unable to visit the unit, but have questions about cancer, visit:- MacMillan.Org.UK or call Macmillan free on:- 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, from 9am to 8pm).

You can find out about Macmillan services near you at:- MacMillan.Org.UK/InYourArea.

Come Along And Dance The Night Away

SEFTON O.P.E.R.A. will be holding a Charity Evening on Friday, 15 June 2018, from 7pm, till Late, at the Holy Ghost Parochial Club, in Netherton. The event, titled:- 'Come Along And Dance The Night Away' will have a 60's to 00's disco, live entertainment, and a 'Scouce Supper,' all for just ₤5 per ticket! If you don't know what Sefton O.P.E.R.A. is, it's a voluntary organization working with older people within the local community, many of them with dementia and Alzheimer's. The charity's aim is to enable older people to have choices in relation to their own health, by providing activities and services to improve their quality of life. For more information about them visit:-Sefton-Opera.Org.UK and for ticket purchases and more information about the event please call Sefton O.P.E.R.A. on:- 0151 330 0479.  (Charity no. 1086437.  Company no. 3841119.)

Children and young people invited to shape the future of the Ambulance service

CHILDREN, parents and carers are being asked to help shape the future of the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) so that young patients get the best possible care.

Under its Transforming Patient Care programme, NWAS is introducing a number of new initiatives and schemes, 1 of which is focused on making the service even better for children.

Children, parents and carers from across the North West are invited to get in touch if they are interested in being part of a group that will give their views, feedback and ideas on how the service can be adapted for children.

Volunteers will be invited to join engagement sessions, which will take place at different locations across the region 3 or 4 times a year.

Chris Preston, an Advanced Paramedic who is leading the Transforming Patient Care work for children, said:- "We understand that calling an emergency Ambulance for your child is something that every parent hopes they will never have to do. If and when it does happen, it can be a stressful and scary time for little ones. Our dedicated crews are already brilliant at supporting young patients and their parents and carers, but we just want to do everything we can to make sure a child's experience of emergency care is positive and empowering while we make sure they get the right care 1st time. That's why we're inviting them to get involved; an opportunity to chat at an informal engagement group will help us understand if there is anything we've not already thought of that might make their experience of the Ambulance service that bit better."

Children aged 5 to 15 and their parents, guardians or carers are welcome to get involved, regardless of whether they have used the Ambulance service previously.

If you're interested in shaping the future Ambulance service in the North West, please email your details to:- Paediatrics@NWAS.NHS.UK and include your name(s), age of the child, telephone number and address, by 31 May 2018.  For more information about Transforming Patient Care, visit:- NWAS.NHS.UK/TransformingPatientCare.