Photo: Midwives aim to stay a helping hand pablogv2004

Hundreds of people attended a protest march yesterday in support of the pioneering Albany Midwifery Practise  - closed down by Kings College Hospital earlier this year.

The ‘Reclaiming Birth Rally called for the re-opening of the Albany  practice as well as the adoption of their maternity model as a standard. The practise was the only independent group of midwives to offer personalised continuous care to women on the NHS.

The organisers say the march, which went from Lambeth to a rally in Whitehall, was an opportunity for bodies like the Royal College of Midwifery and National Childbirth Trust as well as parents to lend their support  for the Albany midwives

The Albany Mums, a group of mothers who received pregnancy care from the Peckham-based practise said in a statement: “We believe that a widespread adoption of the Albany Midwifery Model is the answer to many of the problems that currently beset the UK’s maternity services. That’s why the Albany mums will be calling for an ‘Albany for All.’

Annie Francis from Independent Midwives UK said the aim of the ‘Reclaiming Birth Rally’ was not just about support of the Albany midwifery practice. “It is the model of the Albany that we are supporting. All evidence shows that it’s the gold standard of midwifery.”

The hospital said the closure was for safety reasons following the death of a week-old baby whose birth had been supervised by an Albany midwife. The practice said the death was unrelated to the involvement of the midwife.

Sexual health is the perfect gift for Valentine's Day. Photo: ppbaby888, Flickr

If you got carried away this Valentine’s Day and did not take all of the necessary precautions to protect yourself, do not  panic. Hackney has set up a scheme making it easier for residents to get tested for the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia and to help those infected get treatment as soon as possible.

City and Hackney NHS are urging the borough’s residents to make use of its free testing programme in an attempt to highlight the importance of testing for Chlamydia.

One in 12 Hackney residents under the age of 25 tested positive for Chlamydia this year. Known as “the silent infection” it is usually symptomless but can result in infertility if  untreated.

“The good news is that it can be diagnosed easily and can be treated with free antibiotics – once you know you have it,” said Mike Spraggon, Chlamydia Screening Coordinator at NHS City and Hackney.

“The test is free, painless, confidential, and you can do it yourself, meaning there’s no need to be examined.”

The free test which detects sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea is available to everyone aged 16 to 25 throughout England.

You can get a test from your GP, or from any of NHS City and Hackney’s sexual health clinics. Alternatively, postal test kits are available from most pharmacies in Hackney, or you can have one sent to you by visiting www.checkurself.org.uk.

Channel 4’s Embarrassing Illnesses video on Chlamydia testing

Free heart tests for Hackney residents this Valentine's. Photo: BlueOctane

Health officials in Hackney will use Valentine’s Day this year to remind everyone of the benefits of a healthy (more…)

Croydon has failed to meet 2010 pregnancy reduction target. Photo: Flickr

Teenage pregnancy rates remain high in Croydon despite a national drive, the council admitted.

The Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was launched 11 years ago, and was designed to cut the under-18 conception rate by half. However, Croydon, among London’s worst areas for teenage pregnancies, has failed to meet the target.

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Women are urged to protect themselves against cervical cancer with a vaccination Picture: FURGOLLE

Women across the East London Line boroughs of Hackney, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets are being urged this week to protect themselves from cervical cancer, as part of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. (more…)

The council wants to stop children buying greasy food. Photo: wEnDaLicious

The public in Lewisham will have their say on ‘no fry zones’ which ban takeaways near schools.

If the  public vote in favour of the ban, the ‘no fry zones’ will rule out fast food restaurants applying for planning permission within a 400m radius of  a school.

The  fast food exclusion zones were proposed by the local Green Party, and will now be the subject of a public consultation. Lewisham’s Deputy Mayor, Heidi Alexander  said that any policy, “will need to be evidence based and be defended at a public enquiry.”

(more…)

After 15 years of offering personal care to mothers-to-be in deprived areas the Deptford-born Albany midwives practice has been forced to closed. Photo: Oliver Beamish

After 15 years of offering personal care to mothers-to-be in deprived areas, the Deptford-born Albany midwives practice has been forced to close. (more…)

Events across East London will offer free health checks Photo: Paloma Home Health Agency

Hackney residents were given the chance to express their vision for the future of healthcare yesterday.

The Health for North East London Roadshow began at Homerton hospital, where locals were able to gather information about how to live healthy lifestyles, and find out where they can turn to in times of bad health. Yesterday’s event saw 500 people answer questionnaires which Hackney Primary Care Trust will use to make changes within the borough’s healthcare.

The roadshow aims to transform health services across the North East London, with events taking place in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge. Those who come along to the events will be encouraged to have their say on how they want health care to change in their communities.

Local resident Anna Komorovski said: “I’m really grateful for services like this. It’s pretty good to know that you can have some say over what’s going on in your local hospitals, especially when you have young children.”

Dr May Cahill, Chair of The Commissioning Clinical Executive Committee for the NHS City and Hackney said:

“We want people to hear what locals have to say because we are absolutely committed to improving care for them and their families in the future. We hope that local people will give us their views and help us to improve local health services for years to come.”

The roadshow will improve health services by moving complex care onto fewer sites. Clinicians believe the most specialist area should be concentrated on just two sites, Whitechapel and Queen’s Hospital Romford.

There is also a drive to improve both A&E, maternity, and children’s services, with Homerton and Newham hospitals offering 24/7 children’s assessment and treatments services.

The PCT also intends to build an urgent care service at King George’s Hospitals, which would treat up to 75 per cent of patients that are currently being treated in A&E,  and lessen the strain on the emergency services.

The Health Roadshow will be running until March 8 2010.

For more information on events in your area log on to www.health4nel.nhs.uk

Young, depressed & unemployed. Photo: Rob Harding

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Robyn Higgins was diagnoised with cancer earlier this year Photo: Higgins family

Officers and staff from Lewisham police have raised thousands to help send a young girl to America for cancer treatment.

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