Call the midwives – they have been given a top award

FIRST-time mothers throughout North East Lincolnshire are benefiting from an award-winning midwifery team in the area.

The Community Midwifery Team has won a Creating Valued Partnership award for its work with council children's centres.

​GLOWING AWARD: Members of the Community Midwifery Team, pictured with, standing centre left, Lynda Waters, acting community manager, Joanne Hewson, deputy director of children's health and family services and Julie Dixon, acting operational matron, with their Create Valued Partnerships Award. Also pictured are mothers, from left, Katherine Cioni, with Gabriel Cioni, 21 weeks, Suzzanah Smith, with Ruby Fynes, 5 weeks, Dawn Gallagher, with Maisy Gallagher, 5 weeks, and Jemma Taylor, with Rafe Reilly, 7 months. Picture: Rick Byrne.

Made up of community midwives and midwifery support workers from the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, they have brought post and ante-natal clinics to 13 children centres across the borough over the past four years.

Home for people with mental health problems passes inspection, despite fears

A HOME for people with mental health problems has passed its latest inspection – despite residents' ongoing concerns.

As reported, the property in Grimsby Road, Humberston, was last summer converted into a home for people with a history of forensic mental health problems – including former offenders – by North East Lincolnshire care company Carmand.

INSPECTED: Amber House home for people with mental health problems in Grimsby Road, Humberston.

Nearby residents were concerned about the plan, and those worries were intensified by the fact that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – which regulates care standards – had previously found "serious failings" in the quality of care at another Carmand house in Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes.

However, despite residents' concerns, and claims that police had been called to the property, Amber House has been found to be compliant in the most recent inspection by the CQC, which took place in December.

Fears over location of new care centre for sex workers, drug users and the homeless

UNHAPPY residents have voiced their concerns about the location of a new healthcare centre for sex workers, drug users and the homeless.

As reported, planning permission was granted for the former Strand Infant School in Albion Street, Grimsby, to be turned into a community healthcare facility, incorporating a new Open Door centre.

CONTROVERSY: The former Strand Infant School building which is going to be demolished to make way for a new Open Door centre.

Open Door provides care for problematic drug users, homeless people, those who have recently left prison, sex workers and asylum seekers, among others.

Residents are concerned because the site is next to a school, a children's park and a residential home for the elderly.

St Hugh's Hospital offers free removal of PIP implants

ALL 42 women who had PIP implants fitted in Grimsby will be able to have them removed and replaced for free.

And today, we can reveal that 10 of those have suffered ruptures or leaks.

Here to help: St Hugh's hospital director Donna Read with one of the implants.

As reported, it came to light in the new year that the breast implants, made by a French company, could be toxic and at a high risk of rupturing.

Free health check gives peace of mind

ONCE you reach 40 years old, you are at greater risk of suffering from diabetes, heart and kidney diseases and a stroke.

That is why doctors' surgeries are contacting patients between the ages of 40 and 74 years old, every five years, urging them to pop in for a free health check.

health check: As part of National Heart Month, The Ashwood Surgery, on Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, held a drop-in session offering advice for patients. Practice nurse Gillian Roberts and health trainer Wayne Gould were there to help. Picture: Jon Corken

NHS Health Check – as it is known – aims to offer life-extending advice before people develop chronic illnesses.

Phillipa Hobson, programme co-ordinator for NHS Health Check, said: "There was a nationwide survey done which showed that people are at a much greater risk of developing a number of diseases when they are above 40 years old."

A special coffee morning was held at the Ashwood Surgery, on Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, offering patients the chance to have their health checked.

First-class idea gives teacher a close shave

AN INSPIRATIONAL teenager with diabetes has put his own worries aside to help others with the disease.

Ben Brown, 14, of Grimsby, has organised a series of events over the next few weeks to raise awareness and money for blood sugar detection dogs.

CLOSE SHAVE: Ben Brown, 14, came up with the idea to shave off assistant principal Roland Ward's beard. Picture: Michelle Adamson.

Currently the Medical Detection Dogs charity, which supplies the specially-trained canines, has a five-year waiting list with 30 people on it nationally.

This is because the charity relies on public funding to maintain each dog, which costs on average £10,000 throughout its lifetime.

Those suffering aggressive diabetes or low awareness can be eligible for a blood sugar detection dog as they can prompt a person to check blood sugar levels and take action before the need for acute medical assistance arises.

We're here for you

MEET two new faces who are helping patients throughout North East Lincolnshire.

Charles Thody is hoping to make a flying start to his new role as chaplain of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

FORMER PILOT: Reverend Charles Thody has taken over as the new chaplain for the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The 49-year-old former pilot will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the chaplaincy team and will spend time on the wards and departments across the hospitals.

Mum's plea for more to sign up as organ donors and help life go on for others

WITHOUT a donated kidney, first-time mum Gemma Wardle wouldn't have been able to bring her daughter into the world – now she wants others to have the same chance.

There are currently 25 people in North East Lincolnshire waiting for an organ transplant according to NHS Blood and Transplant, and in the past 12 months, 15 local people received an organ donation for either the liver, kidney or cornea.

WELCOME HOME: Transplant recipient Gemma Wardle cuddles her ten-week-old daughter Lexie Wardle, with her father Doug Pickett. Picture: Abby Ruston. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910

And now, Gemma, who was given a new kidney 21 years ago, is urging members of the public to register as donors so others like her have the opportunity to bring new life into the world.

Humber Bridge pledge for hospital patients forced to pay for crossings

THOUSANDS of patients travelling across the Humber Bridge for hospital treatment will no longer have to pay tolls, council leaders have pledged.

When the plans are officially approved they will mark a major victory for campaigners who have backed the Grimsby Telegraph's Axe The Toll On Health campaign over the past ten years.

Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, councillor Chris Shaw celebrates as thousands of patients travelling across the Humber Bridge for hospital treatment will no longer have to pay tolls

The free crossings will apply to all patients who have to travel to Hull Royal Infirmary or Castle Hill Hospital for treatments which are not available in Grimsby – including thousands of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Providing best service possible to dementia sufferers

IT IS predicted that, in 2025, 2,975 people in North East Lincolnshire will be living with dementia. Health reporter Katie Blackburn spoke to organisations trying to help...

SOCIALISING is a key aspect in providing dementia sufferers with a positive mind – and five memory cafes are currently doing just that.

HAPPY TO HELP: North East Lincolnshire dementia support workers, from left, Emily Cross, Sarah Martin and Lynn Guyver, from the Alzheimer's Society.

Staff from the Alzheimer's Society in North and North East Lincolnshire run the cafes in Grimsby, Immingham and Cleethorpes on a regular basis.

They aim to bring sufferers together along with their carers in an environment which engages them in activities while they can obtain advice and support.