Health improvement

Patients’ involvement in a pioneering cancer trial at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have led to ‘practice changing’ results about how mesothelioma will be treated in the future.

New research shows encouraging evidence for a role of exercise training in patients in the weeks leading up to major surgery.

Superheroes and cartoon creations will be adding a touch of fun to this weekend’s Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10k. And for those still hoping to enter the flagship event on Sunday, September 3, the deadline for entries has been extended to midnight on Thursday (August 31).

A grateful patient has praised the care she received from the James Cook University Hospital’s hand therapy team, after a bad wrist break resulted in intensive physiotherapy. Pam Pedersen, 73, from Great Ayton, says she “couldn’t have asked for better treatment” after losing the use of her left hand and being referred to Gary Rigby, a specialist hand physiotherapist.

The Occupational Health Physiotherapy Team at The James Cook University Hospital challenged colleagues to hop on an exercise bike in the staff restaurant and help clock up 57km during their breaks – the equivalent of cycling from the Middlesbrough hospital to Whitby – for Workout at Work Day.

A new-look radiology unit at The Friary Community Hospital in Richmond has been officially opened – and has already benefited 81 patients in its first week. The Friends of The Friary Community Hospital donated £170,000 to fund new, state-of-the-art X-ray equipment at the community hospital, which provides instant digital results, and will ensure thousands of patients per year can continue to benefit from this crucial diagnostic service closer to their homes.

A surgeon-led clinic for people with a neck lump and immediate access to CT scans are amongst the new developments at Teesside’s biggest hospital, which could help speed up the diagnosis of head and neck cancers. A wide variety of specialists including radiologists, pathologists, ear nose and throat specialists and the Oral MaxilloFacial specialists worked together on the potential solutions to provide access to quicker diagnosis and treatment during an innovative workshop at South Tees Institute of Learning, Research and Innovation (LRI), on The James Cook University Hospital site.

A massive “thank you” is being issued to 3,457 patients and more than 200 staff, after South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust enjoyed a record year in Research & Development. The year 2016 to 2017 became South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s most successful in R&D to date, as the Trust boasted a 17% increase in the number of patients taking part in clinical trials compared with the previous year.

Patients with Macular Degeneration are invited to attend a special awareness day at The James Cook University Hospital – and discover how they can make the best use of their eyesight for many years to come. When they are faced with the news they have macular degeneration, in which the central vision deteriorates due to general wear and tear and lifestyle factors, many patients worry they are going blind.

The Trust has joined forces with public health teams from Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland to relaunch Extra Life – a local initiative aimed at creating healthier work places and healthier people.