Parents were invited along to a taster session to find out more about the programme and were able to register if they were interested. In total, nine parents signed up and successfully completed the course. They all really enjoyed the course and commented on how much they benefitted from attending:

• “I can do anything, positive self talk.”

• “This course has changed how I view and talk to other people and empowered me.”

• “It has changed my whole attitude towards life and changed me for the better.”

Jim McHarg, North Ayrshire Council’s Community Engagement Manager presented certificates to the parents who completed the course and congratulated them on their achievement.

Jennifer Reid, ABCD Programme Lead, commented: “I’m thrilled that everyone has enjoyed the learning and that it has been of great benefit to them. We will be meeting with the parents again in June to see what longer-term impact completing the course is having on them.”

Councillor Anthea Dickson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “The importance of giving our children the best possible start in life is absolutely key to their development and future wellbeing.

“Parenting is clearly at the heart of this and, while we do not wish to tell parents how to raise their children, it is important that there is quality support available which can make a real difference to families.”

“I am delighted that ABCD is working so well, building confidence and teaching new skills to the parents.”

If you would like more information on the ABCD Early Years Project, in Castlepark or Ardrossan, or the Steps Programme please contact Jennifer Reid, ABCD Programme Lead on 01294 323319.

 NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s award-winning orthopaedic team are encouraging former patients to take part in this year’s ‘Ayrshire Joint Jaunt’. The sponsored walk is for former arthroplasty patients, and aims to raise money for improving patient care and future research.

 Jacquelyn McMillan, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon explains: “The sponsored walk is for patients who have had hip or knee replacements. We want to encourage as many of our former patients as possible to take part.

 “We also want others to join in the fun. So, why not come along and bring your family and friends to the gala day too?”

 The event will take place on Saturday 1 June 2013 at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena, Kilmarnock. Registration will be from 11am, with the walk starting at 12 noon.

 Money raised will go towards improving patient care and research by the orthopaedic departments of University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse. A percentage of any funds raised will also go to Joint Action, a charity run by the British Orthopaedic Association. Joint Action raises money for research into orthopaedic conditions across the UK.

 The Orthopaedic Rapid Recovery Team at University Hospital Crosshouse won the Top Team Award at the Scottish Health Awards in late 2012 for their invaluable contribution to Scottish healthcare. This was in recognition of their successful programme of care for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. The team has worked together to create a standard pathway of care for patients to ensure that they are in the best possible medical condition for surgery.

 To book your place or to find out more about the event, call 01563 825109, 01563 825166 or 01563 825167or ask a member of the orthopaedic team at University Hospitals Crosshouse or Ayr.

 To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/AyrshireJointJaunt. You can also text JWLK50, plus the amount you wish to donate, to 70070.

Members of staff, the public and students came along to NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s fifth annual bowel screening awareness event to mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April.

The popular event was held on 18 April in University Hospital Crosshouse and attracted more than 80 people. Topics ranged from the importance of exercise and good diet in cancer prevention, the role of genetics and how family history of disease is tracked, to early warning signs, advances in treatment and what support is available after treatment.

Last year’s star of the show, the eight feet high inflatable bowel, made a return appearance! The bowel, and its keeper Mick Pilling, travelled all the way from Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge to help delegates learn about bowel diseases in an innovative way. The bowel even attracted attention from all over the hospital as news of it spread.

Mr Bob Diament, Colorectal Surgeon and Director of Ayrshire and Arran’s bowel screening programme, commented: “I am very grateful to all the clinicians and guests who made this event such a success. Good discussion was generated on the day and the inflatable bowel was definitely a talking point! It is really important that we encourage as many people as possible to complete the bowel screening test as early diagnosis makes all the difference.”

All local people between the ages of 50 and 74 receive a testing kit through the post every two years, on or around their birthdays. Early diagnosis makes all the difference in treating bowel cancer. Since screening started in Ayrshire and Arran in September 2007, it has led to a diagnosis of bowel cancer in 257 patients. Every year 58,000 bowel screening kits are sent to people aged 50 to 74 in Ayrshire but only 60 per cent actually do the test.

For more information on the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, call 0800 0121 833 (calls charged at local rate) or visit www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk. 

Local people along with Ailsa Hospital staff and patients were invited along to the ward to choose from an array of homemade goodies. Stalls were brimming with knitting, cards, crochet, bracelets and home baking. People also got the chance to try their luck with the tombola stall, raffle and a Guess the name of the teddy.

Carolynne Thomson, Charge Nurse of Glenrosa Ward, said: “Thanks to everyone who came along to Glenrosa’s fundraising day. I am hugely proud of the work our patients put into making this day such a success. They have worked for months on making all the homemade items which proved so popular. Our patients have also experienced the therapeutic benefits of arts and crafts.”

The money raised will go towards funding days out for the patients and also improving a garden area for patients and their relatives and friends to use.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran, in partnership with the Wise Group, hosted the interactive event in the Magnum Leisure Centre. And with lots of ideas for keeping active, there was something for everyone.

Catriona Hutcheson, Occupational Therapist, explains: “Those coming along to the event were able to take part in a variety of activities from football and badminton to Nordic walking and swimming. Or for those who wanted to take it easy, there were information sessions on relaxation, healthy eating and managing stress.”

Evidence has shown that there is a link between good physical health and good mental health. The event aimed to show how keeping active physically, can keep you fit and healthy mentally too.

More than 50 people attended the event, which was declared a success. One delegate said: “I feel as if I’ve really achieved something today.”

While another said: “This was truly life changing – I truly believe I will do exercise again.”

 There is no known connection to the measles outbreaks in Wales and England.

Uptake of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is high in Ayrshire, reducing the chance of measles spreading. In line with our usual advice, we would encourage parents and carers of children in Ayrshire who have not been fully vaccinated to contact their GP to arrange this.

Measles is highly infectious and easily spread.  Early symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms, sore eyes and sensitivity to light, fever, and white spots on the insides of the cheeks. After a few days a rash appears, usually beginning behind the ears then spreading down the face and neck and across the body.

Dr Carol Davidson, Executive Director of Public Health, said: “It is extremely important that if anyone develops any of these symptoms, they should telephone their GP or NHS 24 in the first instance. They should not risk spreading the infection by going in person to Accident and Emergency or their GP Practice.”

With many GP practices and pharmacies closing for the public holidays (Monday 6 May and Monday 27 May), people in Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to prepare to cope with any common health concerns.

Community pharmacists can answer questions on choosing and using the right medicine and provide easy-to-understand advice on treating everyday ailments such as coughs, colds and flu. NHS 24 also has a number of community pharmacists who are able to answer medicine and pharmacy-related questions over the telephone on 08454 24 24 24.

The public can also do a number of things to ensure they are prepared to deal with common illnesses. Have a sufficient supply of medicines like paracetamol, sore throat and cough remedies, as these will help to relieve the symptoms of common ailments. People who take regular medication should they check their existing supplies and only order what they need to ensure they have enough to see them through the weekends, public holidays and holidays away from home.

Liz Moore, Director of Integrated Care and Emergency Services, said: “If people fall ill on bank holidays while some GP surgeries and pharmacies are shut, we are asking them to think hard about what type of health care they need. We notice that more people come to Accident and Emergency on days when their GP surgery is shut. This puts our emergency services under immense pressure and can mean that people who have serious conditions may have to wait longer to receive treatment.

“If the problem with your health is not an emergency then we would ask you to consider using your community pharmacist to get advice and suitable medication. If anyone feels they are too ill to visit their community pharmacist then they can telephone NHS24. This service can help diagnose a problem or perhaps organise a GP to visit the person’s house, or to see a GP at one of our three centres in Ayrshire, if it is appropriate.”

What your community pharmacist can do:

• If you qualify for the Minor Ailments Service your community pharmacist may prescribe medication for you following a consultation

• Give you advice on the best way to take your medicines

• Give women advice and supply emergency hormonal contraception

• Dispense prescriptions

• Give advice on diet and exercise

• Give advice, support and where appropriate, prescribe nicotine replacement therapy to those giving up smoking

• Hold records of your medicines to ensure that the safety of any future medication is checked

• Provide a private area to discuss sensitive issues

• Give you advice over the telephone

Many pharmacies also offer

• Advice on travel health

• Pregnancy testing

• Collection and delivery of prescriptions

• Supervised methadone supply

• Needle exchange

Some pharmacies will be open on the public holidays – please visit our public website www.nhsaaa.net for more information.

If you need a doctor urgently and your GP’s surgery is closed, call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

For emergency dental treatment, call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24

The Following Pharmacies will be open during the May Bank Holidays on Monday 6 May and Monday 27 May 2013, please also note your Doctors Surgery will also be closed so ensure you have enough medication during the holiday periods.