Latest A Better Medway Newsletter

Better outcomes for Medway’s cancer patients

When a person is diagnosed with cancer they often feel like their world has collapsed or they have lost control.

Our new cancer prehabilitation service aims to improve the treatment, care and recovery of cancer patients in Medway.

Following diagnosis, patients are helped to get fit and strong for treatment or surgery. By making positive health changes, patients feel a sense of control and purpose in a situation that may otherwise feel overwhelming.

The new service, called the Medway Prehabilitation Service, will officially launch on Monday, 23 March and will be delivered across a range of venues in Medway.

A Better Medway is running the programme in partnership with Medway NHS Foundation Trust, with funding from the Cancer Alliance. The initiative builds on the success of the Fit for Surgery prehabiliation service run by the trust.

Led by Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Tarannum Rampal, the new programme will support 100 patients a year who have been diagnosed with colorectal, lung or breast cancer. Patients will receive a minimum three week exercise programme with a specially trained A Better Medway fitness instructor.

The benefits of prehabilitation are well documented and include:

• improved physical and psychological resilience so that patients cope better with treatment and recovery
• a reduced stay in hospital for the patient and an enhanced recovery with less complications post treatment
• long term health benefits as a result of positive behaviour change.

---

New social prescribing service to launch in Medway

Abigail Oborne believes that social prescribing’s buzzword status shouldn’t detract from the real and significant impact it can have on people’s lives.

Social prescribing enables health professionals to refer someone to a link worker. A link worker will then help that person to create their own ‘social prescription’ to improve their health and wellbeing. This may be doing an activity, getting advice or joining a local social group or club.

Newly appointed as Community Project Officer for Social Prescribing, Abigail is excited about our new social prescribing service for the over 65s, Better Connected, which will launch in mid-March;

‘We know that older people are socially isolated but out in communities this can be quite a hidden problem.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the Better Connected service help isolated older people rediscover their place in society and make those all important social connections.’

A key part of Abigail’s role will be to deliver training to allied health professionals, Medway’s voluntary sector and council staff to help them understand what the Better Connected service offers and how to refer into it.

With her background in community engagement for the Pilgrims Hospices in Canterbury, Abigail is really looking forward to working closely with Medway’s voluntary and charity sector.

‘There is incredible support out there for older people in Medway and I’m really excited to work with organisations to find new ways to fill any gaps.’

If you or your organisation would like to find out more about social prescribing and how you can refer into the Better Connected service, please email [email protected].

For launch news and updates, follow us on Twitter or Facebook @ABetterMedway.

---

A Better Medway events

NEW walk launched in partnership with Borstal Village Surgery

Walks are one hour long, open to Borstal’s registered patients and led by surgery staff and volunteers. No need to book, just turn up. Every Wednesday starting on Wednesday, 4 March, meeting at 9.45am, Borstal Village Hall.

---

Join our Saturday walk in March

Perfect for getting active at the weekend and making new friends. Our next walk is 5 miles long and is on Saturday, 14 March at Wigmore Evangelical Free Church, Durham Road, Rainham (meeting at 10.15am). To register your interest call us on 01634 333 720 or email [email protected].

---

Grow my brain anniversary event

Join us in celebrating the one year anniversary of our child development campaign, Grow my brain. Find out how it can add value to the work you do from the campaign creators themselves. The event will take place on Monday, 23 March at the All Saints Children Centre in Chatham, 9.30am to 11am. If you’re interested in attending please RSVP [email protected] by Friday, 13 March.

---

Healthy Way has changed

Healthy Way is a free 12 week programme open to anyone who wants to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing.

Each week we cover a new topic and help you to make small and realistic changes to your lifestyle that will have a significant impact on how you feel. Topics include how to eat more healthily, portion sizing, being active, diabetes prevention, cholesterol, bone health, the relationship between food and emotions and smart shopping.

Book now to avoid disappointment

Our next course starts on Wednesday, 11 March at Lordswood Leisure Centre, 10.30am to 12pm. Call us on 01634 957579 or email [email protected].

---

No Smoking Day 2020

No Smoking Day is taking place on Wednesday, 11 March this year, with around 1 million smokers from across the UK expected to attempt to quit on the day.

In Medway, smoking is at its lowest ever levels and it’s never been easier to quit, with residents able to choose from a mix of services:

• traditional face-to-face sessions with one of our advisers,
• a free app called My Quit Route,
• a free text message service, or

a video call with one of our stop smoking advisors from the comfort of their own home or on the go.

We’ll be visiting Medway Maritime Hospital to talk about the benefits of quitting and to help patients, visitors and staff quit for good. Please help us to promote No Smoking Day in Medway by sharing our social media posts in the lead up to the day and on the day itself. Thank you.

If you or someone you know is thinking of giving up smoking on Wednesday, 11 March, visit quit.abettermedway.co.uk to find out how we can support you.

---

Sponsor this year’s awards

Our annual awards ceremony will take place this year on Friday, 10 July at Greenwich University, Medway Campus from 12pm to 4.15pm.

The event will recognise the dedication and achievements of those who are working tirelessly to reduce health inequalities in Medway and improve the lives of our residents.

We are offering headline and category sponsorship from £500. Benefits include:

• A unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and decision makers from the health and wellbeing, charity and voluntary sectors in Medway.
• Association with specific award categories and Medway Council.
• Branding opportunities at the event and within event marketing materials.

For more information and a sponsorship pack please email [email protected] by Tuesday, 31 March.

---

---

 

You are able to keep up to date with our articles, news and publications by following us on our social media channels below: