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Issue:- 27 February 2015

Clinical toolkit could save 12,500 lives a year, claim campaigners

CAMPAIGNERS claimed that a freely available toolkit could save the lives of 12,500 NHS patients in Britain each year who would otherwise die from sepsis, which affects 102,000 people annually leading to 37,000 fatalities. The #Sepsistoolkit campaign, launched on 23 February 2015, by NHS Change Day in partnership with the UK Sepsis Trust (sepsistrust.org), aims to establish the toolkits in every organisation in the NHS. Additionally, the campaign seeks to inform members of the public about the signs of sepsis. Full details of the campaign are available at:- ChangeDay.NHS.UK/Campaigns. Sepsis is a commonly occurring condition triggered by an infection.

In an attempt to overcome the infection, our bodies release a battery of chemicals and hormones causing inflammation, and send white blood cells to fight the invading organisms. When this response becomes uncontrolled, inflammation affects the entire body and can lead to organ failure, this is known as the sepsis syndrome. Although many patients return to a normal life, those who survive the condition may experience longstanding physical effects, and some suffer from psychological difficulties resulting from their prolonged illness. Early recognition and application of the 'Sepsis Six' interventions dramatically improves a patient's prospects. More information for the public is available at:- SepsisTrust.org/info-for-the-public.

The signs of sepsis can be remembered with a simple acronym:-

Slurred Speech
Extreme shivering or muscle pain
Passing no urine (in a day)
Severe breathlessness
"I feel like I might die"
Skin mottled or discoloured

Those particularly at risk include:- the very young and old, pregnant women, long term steroid users. Anyone experiencing the signs of sepsis should attend A&E immediately.

Dr Ron Daniels, CEO of UK Sepsis Trust and Global Sepsis Alliance, said:- "A decade ago, I watched a young man die from sepsis. Opportunities to rescue him had been missed, and his family were left devastated by a condition they'd never heard of. That's why I've spent 10 years devoted to improving outcomes from sepsis, and why I founded the UK Sepsis Trust: a charity changing the lives of thousands of people every year. The reality is that survival can be a game of chance;- without the swift action of individual junior doctors, nurses, assistants and allied professionals, many of our supporters would not be here today. That's why achieving change in sepsis has to be a grass roots campaign, and why 'Know your Sepsis Toolkit' is essential to our successfully fulfilling our mission, a mission to save over 12,500 more lives every year. We are proud to be working in partnership with NHS Change Day."

Sepsis survivor Anna Coles recounts her own story:-

Anna writes:- "I'd been ill since the Monday. It started with a sore throat and loss of appetite, but progressed until I was so weak I could barely stand up. I thought I just had the 'flu, but then I started vomiting and by the Friday I was hallucinating and started to struggle for breath. My family insisted I see the G.P. I was helped to the room, where I fainted and don't remember much from there, until I came round on the doctor's bed. The doctor said my rash was nothing to worry about, as she did the glass test and it disappeared, so couldn't be meningitis! The only thing that worried her was that my blood pressure was a touch low, so she sent me into hospital just to be sure. In A&E, the doctors knew something was wrong, but couldn't seem to put their finger on it. Then, a junior anaesthetist who happened to be walking past saw me and was able to diagnose me quite quickly. He said that he had had a teenage girl in the week previous with exactly the same thing and that I was suffering with septic shock. I owe my life to this doctor."

Anna is now 26, and Mum to 4 year old Harry and 1 year old Sophie. Frighteningly, were it not for the prompt action of one junior doctor, Anna would have been a memory, Harry would have lost his Mummy and the world wouldn't have been graced with Sophie at all. Such is the fragility of humanity when faced with one of its biggest killers.

17% of adults continue to smoke in Southport

THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) is encouraging smokers in Southport to visit their local stop smoking services ahead of this year's No Smoking Day on 11 March 2015. The charity's latest figures show that around 17% of adults in Southport smoke; the national average is 18%. Studies have found that smokers are four times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from NHS stop smoking services than if they go it alone. Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, said:- "Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers. The good news is that stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health and the risk to your overall health decreases significantly soon after you stop. We're encouraging smokers to visit their GP, pharmacist or local stop smoking advisor to receive resources, information, and advice on quitting smoking. Getting prepared for your quit attempt is the 1st step on the journey towards a smoke free life. Join the nearly one million smokers who will make an attempt this No Smoking Day, and make 11 March 2015 the day you start to stop."

While the damage smoking does to physical health is well known, there is little known about the impact of smoking on those closest to smokers. A new survey for No Smoking Day was commissioned to shine a light on the devastating impact that smoking has on people's relationships, in addition to the well known damage it does to people's health. The survey found that 66% of smokers in the UK have argued with a loved one about their habit. Smokers are most likely with their loved ones about the risks to their health (50%) and the financial cost (45%), followed by the smell (32%). It's no surprise that smoking can put a strain on a relationship. A smoker with a 20 a day habit will spend an average of Ł255 a month on cigarettes. Smokers should also be aware that their habit could negatively impact the health of their loved ones. Dr Mike Knapton commented:- "Passive smoke is a cause of short and long term illness in others and is particularly harmful to children; especially in enclosed spaces. It can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, and other health problems such as asthma and meningitis. Nearly 70% of the smoke that causes damage is invisible, and opening a window does not protect others from the harmful effects of passive smoke. We believe that the single most effective way of reducing loved one's exposure to passive smoke is for people to quit."

The BHF offers these top 5 tips to help you quit smoking:-

► Make a date to give up - and stick to it! This year's No Smoking Day is Wednesday, 11 March 2015.

► Make a plan. Think about what could help you stop smoking, such as using a nicotine replacement product, and have it ready before the date you plan to stop.

► Get support and let your family and friends know that you're quitting. Some people find that talking to friends and relatives who have stopped can be helpful. You can also talk to local smoking cessation team.

► Keep busy to help take your mind off cigarettes. Try to change your routine, and avoid the shop where you normally buy cigarettes.

► Treat yourself. If you can, use the money you're saving by not smoking to buy yourself something special.

To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit:- nosmokingday.org.uk and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.

Ace Travel to Cease Trading

WE have been informed that Ace Travel (North West) Ltd, are to Cease Trading from 1 March 2015, after a winding up petition was issued. Despite ACE Travel really working hard to to improve Merseyside's Bus routes and being a major player on Merseyside on the sightseeing routes, as Liverpool City Sightseeing, they have been loosing money. A Merseytravel spokesperson following the news said:- "We have been informed by Ace Travel (North West) Limited that they intend to put their company into liquidation this weekend. Merseytravel is currently looking at options for the immediate future of the services and longer term. A significant number of the services will be covered by other operators on an emergency basis. However there will still be some disruption over next few days. Latest details on the services can be found online. Should you need help finding alternative services please call Traveline on 0151 236 7676." If this affects you in any way, please contact us and let us know your views and thoughts about the future, via emailing:- news24@southportreporter.com.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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