Project That Really Works
A groundbreaking project called The Works, launched earlier this year to help young Islanders give up drink and drugs completely, is already producing positive results. It is an alarming fact that the Island has one of the highest rates in the country of young people being admitted to hospital with an alcohol or drug-related condition. It is estimated that there are 38,000 Island residents aged 16+ who drink alcohol in excess of the recommended daily limits at least once a week. Of those, 21,000 adults are regarded as hazardous drinkers, consuming alcohol in excess of recognised sensible...
Read MoreDr Paul’s Active Life Both Near and in Far East
To hundreds of his patients he was simply known as Dr. Hooper, a general practitioner who worked for more than 30 years at the practice in Pyle Street, Newport. But in an active and very varied lifestyle, there has been much more to Dr. Paul Hooper than just diagnosing ailments and writing prescriptions. Now 85, Dr Paul – as he likes to be known – has taken time out to look back on a remarkable career that has embraced the Korean War, pioneering work in children’s medicine, writing a book, and receiving the ultimate accolade from his fellow doctors. Dr. Paul lives in a tranquil retreat...
Read MoreAiming for Excellence
Since taking up his post at St Mary’s in September 2007, consultant breast surgeon Mr Richard Sainsbury has greatly improved treatment for breast cancer patients on the Island and people are even travelling from the mainland to be treated by him. But it is his dream that in the future St Mary’s Hospital could become a Centre for Excellence in the treatment of breast cancer, with a dedicated building and more essential equipment. “I was made very welcome here,” said Mr Sainsbury. “I’ve got a good team, treat nice people and I want to move it forward.” A pioneer in the discipline...
Read MoreGlucosamine: Doubts Cast Over the Benefits of Treatment Used by Thousands
Island residents who have been taking the food supplement glucosamine on prescription to treat osteoarthritis pain in knee joints, may find themselves having to pay for it themselves in future, following claims it has no long-term beneficial effect. A report, undertaken by a team of Canadian researchers, has seriously questioned the benefits of glucosamine. The findings will come as a shock to the hundreds of Islanders who regularly take it in an effort to ease joint pain. Last year alone Island GPs wrote 1,317 prescriptions for glucosamine at a cost of £44,621.66 to the IOW NHS medicines...
Read MoreGet Yourself MOT’d
Once you’re over 65 you’ll continue to be invited to undergo a variety of health checks, and there will also be some new ones. As you get older, you’re more likely to develop conditions that are rare in younger people. Because of this, you’ll be invited to undergo some new screening and health tests, while the screening that began earlier in adulthood for different types of cancer will continue. The earlier conditions can be detected, the greater the chance that they can be dealt with effectively. Screening Cervical cancer From 65, women will no longer be sent an...
Read MoreTrauma Unit is a Big Step Forward
The level of care available to Island patients within the Emergency Department of St Mary’s Hospital, Newport has taken another significant step forward. The department, which currently deals with some 45,000 admissions a year, has recently been given status as a trauma unit, and as such now stands alongside the likes of Portsmouth and Bournemouth in that particular area of hospital care. The Emergency Department was officially designated as a trauma unit as of April 2011, although the Emergency Department’s dedicated team of highly-trained professionals have been working towards the...
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