Public Health North East

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Regional Director’s Update
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year free from as many credit crunch worries as possible.

We kick off 2009 in a positive frame of mind from a public health perspective with a number of encouraging developments.

You may have seen the new television commercials for the Change4Life initiative, which was launched nationally a few days ago.

We held the first regional summit event in the North East in November and a corner shop scheme to make fruit and vegetables more accessible which started in our region has got off to a good start.

Change4Life seeks to promote a lifestyle revolution which will help mums, dads and families eat well, move more and live longer.

It brings together health and education professionals, industry and the third sector.

We want people in the North East to be getting the Change4Life message wherever they go.

We aim to galvanise all the organisations who can contribute into action, possibly by holding a regional summit so they can pledge their support.

In the meantime local councils, NHS trusts, schools and others in the public sector can help by putting up Change4Life posters and giving out leaflets.

The new regional office in Darlington to promote the safe consumption of alcohol will be launched next month, when we will also review progress on Better Health Fairer Health – and look at ways of making the strategy a reality even faster.

Professor Stephen Singleton
Regional Director of Public Health

Welcome to the monthly e-bulletin produced by Public Health North East. It is designed to keep you up to date on the latest developments in the region. Please send details about any public health-related events to simon.p.mills@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

Rare pneumonia outbreak revealed
Experts from the Health Protection Agency have published a study on the British Medical Journal’s website about an unusual outbreak of pneumonia at a primary school in the North East.

In October 2006 there were five cases of pneumonia caused by pneumococcus bacteria in the reception classes of the North Tyneside school.
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Heart checks for at risk patients

People at risk of a heart attack or stroke on Teesside are being urged to see their family doctor for free tests as part of a major public health initiative.

Healthy Heart Checks will be on offer at general practices through a scheme run by the four primary care trusts in the area.

Sexual health centre to open soon

Newcastle’s new sexual health centre in Market Street should be up and running by this spring.

Work has already started to convert premises at New Croft House near the Laing Art Gallery into a one-stop shop for sexual health services.

Drug ‘cocktails’ highlighted as danger
Cocktails of different substances led to most of the 18 drug-related deaths on Teesside in 2007.

Users need to be educated about the dangers of taking such mixtures – even when low levels are involved, according to a new report.
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Pharmacists help with flu and colds
Community pharmacists are supporting a regional campaign to persuade the public to seek advice about the treatment of colds or flu from them.

The overuse of antibiotics is making some viruses difficult to combat and the message of the campaign is that ‘the number one cure for colds and flu is you’.
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Health awards for employers

Employers from across the area were recognised for their commitment to workplace health at an event organised by Public Health County Durham and Darlington.

‘Working for Health’ is a local award scheme which acknowledges the efforts and achievements of employers in building a healthy workforce, a healthy workplace and a healthy organisation.

‘More volunteers’ plea for cancer work
A local woman who received a prestigious award for her efforts to increase awareness of cancer symptoms is calling for more volunteers to help with this vital work.

Kim Smith was recognised for her volunteer work with the North Tyneside Healthy Communities Collaborative, something that is particularly close to her heart.
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HIV cases on the up

Cases of HIV in the North East rose by 17 per cent in 2007 compared to the previous year, according to new figures.

The Health Protection Agency revealed there were 1,012 people living in the North East receiving HIV-related healthcare in 2007 compared to 868 the previous year.

Top public health doctor retires
Professor Vivien Hollyoak, North Tyneside’s director of public health, has retired after a career spanning 30 years.

During this time she held a range of senior posts across the North East aimed at improving and protecting the health of local people.
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Pilot scheme success with offenders
A pilot scheme to rehabilitate offenders by combining skills development with health promotion has got off to a good start in Northumberland.

A group of ten service users on drug rehabilitation orders have completed the course.
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