Headlines and reports on this page = 5 news items.    Page - 2.

World Health Organisation advisor to guest lecture at Edge Hill University

TO celebrate the International Day of the Midwife on Thursday, 5 May 2016, Edge Hill University will host regular Advisor to the World Health Organisation, Professor Tina Dame Lavender to discuss the changing global agendas in relation to maternal health.

Dame Tina Lavender is Professor of Midwifery and Director of the Centre for Global Women's Health at the University of Manchester. She is Co-editor in Chief of the British Journal of Midwifery, Associate Editor of the African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, Editor of the Pregnancy and Childbirth Group of the Cochrane Collaboration and on the editorial team of the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Head of Midwifery and Lead Midwife Education, Catherine McEvilly said during her guest lecture, Professor Dame Tina Lavender will discuss the global health agenda with a focus on midwifery. "The International Confederation of Midwives focus for celebrating International Day of the Midwife in 2016 is 'Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery'. At Edge Hill University, the undergraduate midwifery programme enables students to understand the importance of an international focus to ensure women and newborns receive the quality care that they deserve. Professor Lavender's focus will strengthen student midwives' appreciation of the importance of midwifery care on a global basis."

Edge Hill University has a number of students who have participated in elective placements in countries such as:- Ghana, Tanzania, Canada, America, India, New Zealand and Australia in order to gain an understanding about how midwifery practice and conditions for women differs around the world.

Lesley Briscoe, Lead for Midwifery Research and Enterprise in Midwifery said the International Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution midwives make around the world. "International Day of the Midwife is an annual celebration of midwives achievements and dedication around the world that aims to acknowledge experts in the field, and promote midwifery as a rewarding career. As a leader in her field, it is an honour to host Professor Dame Tina Lavender who will share stories and observations that will inspire the next generation."

Professor Dame Tina Lavender leads a programme of research in midwifery and women's health with her main area of focus being the management of prolonged labour and partogram use. She also holds an honorary contract at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester and a Visiting Professorship at the University of Nairobi.

Dame Tina is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives and European Academy of Nurse Science. Dame Tina also acts as a regular Advisor to the World Health Organisation, particularly in relation to guideline development.

Liverpool patient's plea: don't ignore M.E.

"I have lost friends because they expect me to feel as well as I've made myself look on the outside, and don't bother to understand when I'm not able to do this."  That's the experience of Janet Crawford, 55, of Liverpool, who has M.E., a disabling, neurological condition that can affect anyone at any time.  Many people with M.E. face isolation and loneliness as friends, family and professionals struggle to accept the true impact of the illness. By sharing her story for M.E. Awareness Month in May, Janet is sending a simple message: don't ignore M.E. "I'm socially isolated as my husband works full time, my children have their own family and work commitments, and none of my so-called friends have remained in contact." explains Janet.  People with M.E. experience severe, persistent fatigue associated with what's called post exertional malaise (the body's inability to recover after expending even small amounts of energy; sometimes also called:- 'payback') and chronic pain. Any physical or mental activity can trigger a flare up in symptoms. "I 1st became ill following an operation and several life stressors in 1999; I was diagnosed in 2002.  My symptoms were at their worst in August last year when I was signed off work. I had severe pain from any activity, was mentally and physically fatigued, and had very poor cognition and disturbed, un-refreshing sleep." said Janet. There is currently no specific test that can detect M.E. and, like Janet, many people wait a long time to be diagnosed. Around a quarter of people with M.E. are so severely affected that they remain bed or housebound. "I am currently housebound, living a very sedentary life to avoid any unpleasant symptoms and becoming bedridden again; like I am if I do any physical activity of daily living, like social family events, shopping or light housework."  Janet added. UK charity Action for M.E. is taking action to end the ignorance, injustice and neglect experienced by people with M.E. Find out how you can make a difference to the lives of people with M.E. right now at:- ActionForme.Org.UK or call:- 0117 927 9551.

CCTV Appeal following a fishy theft from Garden Centre in Maghull

MERSEYSIDE Police in the Sefton area have released CCTV of a man they want to speak to following the theft of expensive equipment from a garden centre in Maghull. 2 'Blue Marine' LED lighting units for use in fish tanks were stolen from a display within the aquatics section of the store on Sefton Lane. A member of staff working on the day of the theft, on Sunday, 21 February 2016, noticed them missing and check with colleagues to see if they had been recently sold. When she was told they hadn't she checked the shop's CCTV and contacted the Police. The lighting units are worth £350 and £250 respectively. A number of customers had been in the shop that afternoon and officers are keen to hear from anyone who there that afternoon who saw anything suspicious. They are particularly keen to identify and trace the man in the CCTV still as they believe he may have information that could assist the investigation into the theft. Anyone with information is asked to call:- 101 quoting crime reference number 0516041326 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

Southport has 6 new Back Belts

SOUTHPORT have 6 high kicking students... Master Thomas, from Unite Martial Arts, was very proud of all 6 students who achieved their Black Belt on Saturday, 2 May 2016. A fantastic achievement that demonstrates sheer hard work, positive focus and dedication. If anyone would like to try 4 FREE classes, we have sessions running in Southport, Formby and Ormskirk. To book please call the Office on:- 01704 500323.