Tesco Community Grants Southport

STEMCELLSCOUSERS are part of the current Tesco Community Grants scheme in the following Southport stores, KEW, AINSDALE, BIRKDALE and CHAPEL STREET Southport Station. Until 31st. March It costs £40. to Recruit and maintain JUST 1 new donor to the StemCell Register. Kevin Dunne the founder of StemCellScousers is Appealing to the Southport Area shoppers to vote with their Blue Tokens for StemCellScousers who will be in store at Tesco Kew on:- Friday, 10 February from:- 10 to 4, promoting StemCell Donor Recruitment Kevin will be able to answer any questions you may have and there will be a poster with a QR Code which you can scan that takes you to the Donor Recruitment page of the Anthony Nolan website. Even if you are not able to register you can still be a LIFESAVER just by sharing the QR Code on your Social Media. In 2022 the "Anthony Nolan" helped around 2500 UK Blood Cancer Patients who were searching for a Donor , Very Sadly only 1350 found their Life Saving Donor.

To date StemCellScousers and their supporters have donated £45.000.00 to the Anthony Nolan which is enough to fund 1125 New StemCell Donors. And fundraised for other Blood Cancer Charities and the Royal Liverpool Hospitals, taking their fundraising total to a fantastic £63,100.00 Kevin wants to thank all his family and friends. All the volunteers. And the Amazing bands:- "FORMBY FOLK ROUTES," "FORMBY UKE3A," and "THE WANDERERS" of Southport. And not least the Local Independent Business, Tesco and Waitrose super markets, for their fabulous support in making this possible Well Done everybody.

StemCellScousers was formed in 2015 by Kevin Dunne, his wife Mary, his brother Tony and son Christopher after the Anthony Nolan Charity found Mary the ONLY matching Stem Cell Donor in the World. Mary had her Life Saving Stem Cell Transplant, in September 2014, which cured her very aggressive Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Mary had a very late diagnosis, because back then GP's were generally not aware that Flu like symptoms could also be those of Blood Cancer. Mary's Bone Marrow was 70% Leukaemia before the GP ordered that all important:- "Blood Test."

Within days of that test Mary was admitted to Hospital for blood and Platelet transfusions, a Bone Marrow Biopsy and to start Chemotherapy. We Never expected she would be in Hospital for the next 6 weeks for the 1st round of some very intensive treatment which included 3 Blood and Platelet Transfusions every week. The treatment was 4 Rounds of Chemotherapy followed by a StemCell Transplant. The whole process took 7 months and then followed 6 months of 3 or 4 visits per week to the Transplant Day Unit, for constant monitoring including more Blood and Platelet Transfusions.

Kevin and his family acknowledged they owed a huge debt of gratitude to the amazing lady Donor in the USA, to the Anthony Nolan Charity for finding her. And the Leukaemia Care Charity's Liverpool Support Group who supported us through a very challenging journey. In May 2015 Kevin and Mary decided they needed to give Something Back. Along with family and other transplant patients StemCellScousers was born, and they began working with the Anthony Nolan and Leukaemia Care charities to raise awareness of the massive worldwide shortage of Stem Cell Donors and the need to educate GP's "Could This Be Blood Cancer" Shall I do a Blood Test?

StemCellScousers say:- "Together We Can Defeat Blood Cander"
 

Local public health services at risk amid funding uncertainty

DRUG and alcohol treatment, tackling obesity and health visiting are among the vital frontline services at risk of being cut back or closing altogether, unless Government urgently sets out public health funding for the next year, Councils say today.

The Local Government Association, which represents Councils across England, is calling on the Government to urgently publish the Public Health Grant funding allocations which Councils will receive from April with time running out for Councils to set budgets and spending plans and to make critical decisions on renewing contracts for vital public health services.

A lack of certainty around Councils' public health funding this year is exacerbating existing challenges as demand for support services has risen, such as for sexual health services or drug and addiction support. The LGA said this is leaving these vital services facing an uncertain future and risks people being forced to go without crucial help and support.

It also comes as public health funding grants to Councils have been reduced by over £1 billion in real terms from 2015/16 to 2021/22. As pressures on the NHS and social care systems mount, Councils are urging the Government to invest in local public health services which can help to reduce challenges on other parts of the health and care system.

Cllr David Baines, Vice-Chair of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "Demand for vital treatment including mental health support was high before the Pandemic. In the aftermath of Covid19, it is even more urgent that these services are properly funded. Councils are currently in the dark about public health funding and this can't go on. Residents and our communities need clarity. Every pound invested by Government in Council-run services such as public health helps to relieve pressure on other services like the NHS and the criminal justice system. The Government needs to give Councils the clarity they need so they can increase investment to protect the health of our local communities over the coming months and years and to ensure all local Authorities can continue to meet their public health responsibilities into the future."

We would also be interested to know your thoughts on this topic, so please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
 

New professional framework launched could help boost cancer workforce

A new professional framework has been launched as part of the UK-wide Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND). Developed by Health Education England in partnership with Skills for Health, the framework provides a common language to support transformational reform in the education, training and career pathways of cancer support workers, nurses and AHP's. The framework lays out 7 levels of practice from supportive, assistive, pre-registration and registration through to enhanced, advanced and consultant, supporting practitioners at all levels of the career pathway to develop the core knowledge, skills and behaviours to care for people affected by cancer.

Speaking about the ACCEND programme Professor Mark Radford CBE, Chief Nurse, Health Education England said:- "Cancer is a complex and significant disease that affects 1 in 2 of us during our lifetimes. As scientific and technological innovations continue to improve our abilities to fight this challenging disease, it can become just as complex to ensure our cancer workforce is prepared for such rapid changes and advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer care. The ACCEND programme will support our cancer nurses and AHPs to stay fit for the future with a national framework of education pathways to help our staff to improve and expand their cancer services. The competences outline how nurses caring for adults living with and beyond cancer, can enhance their knowledge and skills and if they so wish, advance in a career in cancer nursing. It is aspirant in encouraging nurses to reach their best potential whether they are working in a supportive, assisted, or registered nursing role. It guides the core capabilities needed to nurse for people living with and beyond cancer at any point on their pathway without specifying the type of role required."

Claire Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer at Macmillan comments:- "The framework comes at a particularly critical time for the UK nursing workforce; as we cope with increased waiting times and cancer backlogs. This framework inspires us to look forward and consider how we can develop ourselves and those around us. This is so important for both our professional development and our profession. It should be used alongside other professional frameworks, guidelines and standards published. It is easy to navigate and should be the:- 'go to' for all nurses who support people with cancer. I truly believe that ACCEND has the potential to be transformative in cancer nursing careers."

The framework has also been endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing and United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS).

UKONS President Mark Foulkes said:- "UKONS would like to express their support for this capability framework specifically, and for the ACCEND programme more broadly. This important publication is the 1st step in providing all allied health professionals working with, and caring for, people with a cancer diagnosis with a single, clear educational framework. The absence of such a structure has been keenly felt and many of us on the UKONS board, UKONS champions and our members have been involved in the ACCEND programme which has this capability framework at its heart. Instead of sitting on a shelf, we believe this framework will be used widely and has been devised and structured to link with a wide range of resources which will guide and assist allied health professionals working within oncology from pre-registration through to consultant-level practitioners and strategic leaders."

Nikki Morris, Chair of the Royal College of Nursing Cancer and Breast Care Forum adds:- "This framework is an essential resource for nurses to be in a position to provide the very best care today whilst also preparing the workforce to provide outstanding care in the future. Knowledge and skillset lie at the core of providing all aspects of cancer care. This framework provides agreed descriptors, capabilities and career pathways to give uniformity and guidance to individual nurses, organisations and the general public. The framework reflects the breadth of the modern cancer team and the requirements at each level of practice. The format is informative and easy to follow. We are proud to have been part of the team who have worked on this resource and are delighted at the reception that it has received particularly with those who have needed it the most nurses."

To download and view the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) framework, click on here.