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BERWICK AREA HEART SUPPORT GROUP
FEBRUARY 2004 newsletter
Next meeting Wednesday 4th February in the Day Hospital, Berwick Infirmary from 7.00 pm until 9.00pm The guest speaker is Pharmacist, Joy Richie, from the Caslegate Pharmacy in Berwick.
Joy was our guest speaker in February 2002 and she gave a very interesting presentation which helped many of us to understand our medication, Joy will bring us up to date on all the new drug that are now becoming available for heart patients.
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At our last meeting on 7th. Jan. 2004, Mandy Thompson, Practice Nurse at Well Close Surgery, gave us an insight into another aspect of her work, which is, Cardiac Rehab Nurse, working with the Cardiac Rehab. Unit at the Swan Centre.
This Unit commenced back last September after seeming being spoken about for some while. The work involves and extends the exercise programme from the heart manual, with which many of us are familiar Unfortunately the make up of people attending the unit does not cater for retrospective patients, and has been set up for the newer referrals, which are currently coming from local Doctors, and hospital Chest Pain Clinics. It covers North Northumberland, and could stretch into the Borders if required.
Mandy said that her work is gradually integrating all aspects of Cardiac enquiries, including the yearly ‘MOTs’, many of us already get. Running alongside this work is an Angina Programme, with preventative support, and will eventually have a manual similar to the heart manual.As already said this started in September, and takes place at the Swan Centre. Although Mandy has attended some courses, at Byker and the West End of Newcastle, where numbers are much higher, she still has some courses still to do.
The numbers of persons attending the sessions at the Unit are gradually growing. There are currently 10, but more arrive almost on a weekly basis. Clients usually commence 4 to 6 weeks after their heart incident i.e. Angina, heart attack, by-pass surgery or stents.
Sessions are held twice a week, on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, between 1pm and 3 pm., when clients and a friend are invited to attend. A session includes medical advice, and exercise programme, which includes a warm up, a work out, cool down and relaxation. There are 4 professional people present at each session, which can include Mandy, 2 fitness instructors, Physiotherapist, and others as required, i.e. Dietician or psychologist. (I hope these professions are spelt correctly, I know the pen I used to take the notes with is a lousy speller, and the shop refuse to change it, so I have to hope my computer does better)
Exercise sessions involve everyone visiting 10 ‘stations’, and exercising for 1 minute at each, but on one of three levels. The ‘stations’ are designed to exercise every part of the body, and includes walking on the spot, bicep curls, knee lifts, ½ jacks, double jacks, side and double side steps, triceps exercises, and sit to stand. As a result this improves stamina, body strength, flexibility, coordination and cardio vascular capacities. All participants are medically assessed before commencing the exercises to establish the pulse rate to aim for during the work out, which is confirmed with pulse meter
Breathing rate are also used to assess degree of work. This is done by using the BOG scale (see later) On this scale 1 = very light/ easy, 2-3 = fairly light, 4-5 = moderate, 6-7 = fairly hard, a bit puffed, 8 hard/ out of breath, 9 very hard/ very tiring, 10 = maximum/ exhausted
Mandy did say she used the BOG scale, and I know you out there would want to know what BOG stood for, so I asked, but Mandy admitted that she didn’t know what it stood for, so we are open to suggestions. Lesley, our other medical brain also admitted she didn’t know what it stood for, but added she doubted that it stood for Borders Organic Growers, of which she is a member. But with that in mind, from my experiences of gardening, I think my garden has made me feel all of those conditions at one time or anotherMandy then answered many questions put to her by different persons so I hope everyone’s needs were met.
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Wally’s Yarns
An amusing story I hear
My friend visited his Doctor at Well Close Square. As he went up the stairs to the upstairs waiting room he passed a Nun on her way down The Nun apparently did not look well, in fact she looked very unwell, she was white as a ghost, had obviously been crying, and looked to be in a totally different world, and passed my friend without lifting her head. My friend was quiet concerned and it was still occupying his thoughts when he was called by the Doctor, who then asked what was on his mind. He told the Doctor that he was thinking of the Nun and how ill she looked, and there appeared to be no-one with her to comfort her or make sure she would be able to get home alright.The Doctor then said that he had just treated the Nun, and that it had been necessary to inform her that she was pregnant.My friend questioningly said, “ No wonder she looks ill, I bet that came as a surprise” The Doctor replied “Yes it did. It’s not true of course,but it did cure her hic cups, which is why she came in”
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Wally
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Transport in N Northumberland TINN
TINN are doing a major publicity effort over 4 days in Berwick in Feb to reach new volunteer drivers and to contact organisations that have either got an under-used bus or, alternatively, would use a minbus from time to time at lower than commercial rates. (TINN charge 70p per mile and 35p per mile for 'dead' bus collection miles - works very favourably for full-up bus for journeys below 30 miles.) I have details. If your GP says you are fit to drive then you are fit to volunteer to drive the minibus. (There is a brief course / test). One organisation in Berwick has a bus which it has already made available to the scheme for bookings when it is not being used otherwise .
They are bringing an advertising bus, which they will park outside the following venues
Monday 9th Feb 10am - 1pm Safeway
Tues10th Feb10am-1pm Castlegate car park
Wed 11th Feb 1pm - 4pm The Malting
Thurs 12 Feb 10am - 12 noon The Swan Centre1pm - 2pm Spittal Church Hall
6pm - 7pm Volunteers Centre (Tweed St)
They would value people to turn up and do a spell on the bus to give their volunteers company / a wee break etc
I have full details and minutes of meetings plus contact details in hard copy. But could get TINN to send electronically if anybody interested in getting involved.
Phil
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