Pub health checks just the tonic as death rates fall in region
MAKE mine a pint of bitter and a blood pressure test!.
A pub might not be the typical venue for a check-up, but for locals it has proved the perfect tonic for good health.
-
Kenny Loraine, left, a volunteer from the Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative group, does a blood pressure check on pub supervisor Tommy Stewart at The Grosvenor pub in Cleethorpes.
Health groups who have moved out of the surgery and into the community have been credited with helping drive down mortality rates in North East Lincolnshire, according to the latest statistics.
Data released today from the Care Quality Commission shows mortality rates for men in North East Lincolnshire fell from 920 per 100,000 in 2002-03 to 752 in 2009-10, a fall of 18 per cent. For women it fell from 564 to 522 (7 per cent) over the same period.
Health bosses in Grimsby say two volunteer groups who carry out health tests in pubs, clubs and other social settings have had a direct impact on tackling North East Lincolnshire's biggest killers – cancer and coronary heart disease – by picking up symptoms quicker.
But since Care Trust Plus volunteer health groups, the Cancer Collaborative and the Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative formed three years ago, the number of survivors has soared.
LEADING THE WAY: The volunteers from Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative group. From left, project manager Julie Grimmer, Kenny Loraine, John Lawson and Mike Inkson
Last year, the number of men and women under the age of 75 who died locally from cancer fell from 133 to 115 per 100,000 while death rates in cardiovascular disease for men and women decreased from 86.5 to 80 per 100,000 – the lowest rate ever recorded in North East Lincolnshire.
However, although the figures are promising, they are still higher than the national average.
And East Marsh, West Marsh and South Ward are amongst the poorest for health, with 50 per cent of people on the West Marsh being smokers.
Read more about the health of North East Lincolnshire, the screening available and how one cancer sufferer is warning of the dangers of ignoring symptoms in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
6 Comments
by Jim, Regina
Thursday, August 26 2010, 2:39PM
“Go out & buy your own blood pressure reader, They are not expensive. All house holds should have one. Check daily & you will note change. Look after your heart.”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 6:35PM
“If you get stuck in hospital,Jo,what you need is me. When women are involved,I can talk rubbish for hours,the only problem being,after around ten minutes I get lobbed out for being dull. Hrrumph....”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 6:23PM
“Is my sparring partner not well? I am terribly sorry about that,Jo. I honestly hope you get better. After all. Who else am I going to fall out with,besides Josh....My very best wishes,Neil.”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 1:58PM
“BB wrote: " it's valid that people trying to do something about coronary health care and wearing tee-shirts emblazoned with 'Modify Your Lifestyle' should be proactive in reducing their bulk".
No .. I think you've made a valid point.
Especially those working for the NHS.
I've spent a lot of time waiting around on hospital wards and corridors over the past year or so - and i've been very surprised at the number of fat nurses and other medical staff - most of them (and I mean 'most') practically bursting the seams of their uniforms , they're so overweight!
Personally, I don't care how fat they are -that's up to them - but it really becomes quite surreal when the NHS starts lecturing the rest of us about 'healthy lifestyles'.”
by Bacon butty, N E Lincs
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 10:11AM
“I know I'll get blasted for making this comment but feel it's valid that people trying to do something about coronary health care and wearing tee-shirts emblazoned with 'Modify Your Lifestyle' should be proactive in reducing their bulk. There's no point in measuring blood pressure when a rich mix of cholesterol and blood could be coursing through the cardiovascular system.
Yes, I'm ashamed and an over weight pensioner, who hopes the project proves beneficial. I don't smoke or drink and my BP at this moment is 117/70 with pulse of 74 but I could lose weight, and I should fight against the increasing effect of arthritis on activity. It's cheap and easy to buy a BP monitor but it can difficult to keep the weight down once it starts to go on and we are what we eat and drink after all.”
by Haydn, edge of Grimsby
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 9:46AM
“BUT remember too much of a good thing is equally bad for you!”