More than a moustache

Dec 3, 2015

November has become a month synonymous with moustaches but has the real message behind the fundraiser become a little lost? Nuffield Health Bournemouth is working to raise awareness of men’s health and the most common cancer in men in the UK.

Although 41,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year, there is still a worrying lack of knowledge of prostate cancer, which can have little or no symptoms.

Consultant urologist at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, Mr Carter explains: “A family member or a friend discovering they have the disease seems to be the biggest spur for men to check for prostate cancer.”

So what is prostate cancer and how can it be detected?

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a gland, usually the size and shape of a walnut, which is situated underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra that men pass urine and semen through. Cancer can develop when cells in the prostate grow in an uncontrolled way.

Who is at risk?
Men are more likely to test positive for the disease if they have a family history of prostate cancer, are African-Caribbean or are over the age of 50.

What are the symptoms?
In a gland the size of a walnut some cancerous tumours may be too small to cause any pressure effects so can remain undetected for some time. However, by the time the tumour is big enough to notice the cancer could be too advanced. Experiencing difficulty when passing urine or urinating more frequently can be symptoms but they can also be signs of an enlarged prostate.

Should all men be screened for prostate cancer?
According to Mr Carter, the public should be informed of the benefits and risks of screening for prostate cancer.

“Patient views are paramount. It is important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of testing and treatments with your doctor. Screenings have been shown to be beneficial in some trials but it can cause emotional worry and also lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

“The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test may detect cancers in the prostate gland that enable lives to be saved, but it may also detect cancers that might never progress to cause any health problems.”

In the UK there are currently 250,000 men living with the disease and many die with prostate cancer rather than as a result of it, as the disease tends to progress very slowly.

Mr Carter believes: “The right diagnosis is vital in enabling us to provide the best possible treatment for the patient.”

Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital provides the following tests to check for prostate cancer:

• A PSA test to help diagnose and manage prostate problems
• MRI and CT to examine the prostate in detail
• Biopsy

Treatments available at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital are:

• Surgery to remove the prostate gland
• Hormone therapy

Mr Carter will present on Men’s Health to local GPs at 7pm on Tuesday 8^th December 2015.  GPs wishing to attend  should contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 375032.

Bugs kicked into shape by Nuffield Health and AFC Bournemouth

Dec 3, 2015

Children from Ferndown First School were treated to a ‘Bug Busters’ workshop courtesy of Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital and AFC Bournemouth, where they discovered how to stop the spread of germs. 

The campaign runs across schools throughout Dorset and is a joint partnership programme between Nuffield Health and AFC Bournemouth. In the sessions schoolchildren learn about what makes bacteria potent and how to stop germs and infections, such as the common cold, from spreading.

Chris Tickner, infection prevention lead at Nuffield Health, ran a classroom workshop where pupils from Ferndown First were invited to cover their hands with a special gel before placing them in a UV light box which revealed unclean areas where their hands had not been washed properly. Correct hand-washing techniques were then demonstrated. AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust team also held interactive sessions with the group including a game of ‘tag’ to actively show how easily germs can spread.

Chris Tickner, infection prevention lead at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, said: “We’re proud to be working with AFC Bournemouth on this initiative for the second year running. The children love getting involved, and by making our workshops so interactive they can really understand how to stop germs from multiplying.”

Danny Thomas, P.E co-ordinator at Ferndown First School, said: “We heard about the Bug Busters campaign and were keen for our children to be educated in the importance of thorough hand-washing and hygiene procedures. The workshop went down so well with everyone that took part and was fun, informal and educational.”

For those schools interested in finding out more about Bug Busters, please contact Steve Cuss at AFC Bournemouth on 01202 726342, or the Nuffield Bournemouth Hospital’s friendly customer services team on 01202 375032.

Exclusive GP tours of private hospital’s innovative cardiac interventional suite

Oct 29, 2015

Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital is opening its doors for exclusive GP tours this November.

Being the first dedicated private facility in the UK to invest in the new-state-of-the –art Artis Q for interventional cardiology Nuffield Health is delighted to showcase its new cardiac facility.

At 7pm on November 18 and 25, invited GPs across the region will have the opportunity to view the new facilities in Nuffield Health Hospital on Lansdowne Road in Bournemouth and meet key consultants and hospital staff. The high tech cardiac catheter lab suite provides patients with a full cardiac service, including Echo, out-patient diagnostic and an in-patient day case cardiology facility.

David McNair, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Bournemouth, said: “We are excited to be hosting these exclusive tours to give local GPs an insight into the new innovative, private facilities we have to offer patients in Dorset.”

Nuffield Health Bournemouth is only the third hospital in the Nuffield Health Group to invest in the premier technology, which further positions Bournemouth as a leading reference site for cardiology services in the UK.

Consultant cardiologist at Nuffield Health Bournemouth, Dr Talwar, explained: “Nuffield Health Bournemouth has fantastic non-invasive diagnostic tools available, including a pioneering cardiac CT scanner, a state-of-the-art cardiac MRI scanner and a new echocardiogram. Huge investment is going into this cardiac suite and these facilities will offer great benefits to our patients.”

David added: “By investing in the most premier equipment available, we can ensure that our cardiologists are able to provide patients with the best possible services at every step of their healthcare journey.”

GPs who would like to attend should contact Primary Care Manager Shirley Ewart at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital on 01202 702830 or email: Shirley.Ewart@nuffieldhealth.com.