Hospitals

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.

A County Durham woman who has been battling ovarian cancer for more than five years has become the first in the UK to benefit from a new drug to prevent a recurrence of the disease. The 46-year-old, who does not want to be named, is a patient of Dr Talal Mansy, a consultant medical oncologist at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

A determined grandad who is battling prostate cancer has spoken of his joy at joining Jeff Stelling on his March for Men walk – and vowed to get involved with the event again next year. Roofer Ken Bashford, 60, of New Marske, walked with Jeff Stelling and other Prostate Cancer UK fundraisers from Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium to the Transporter Bridge, as part of Sky Soccer Saturday anchor’s effort to complete 15 marathons in 15 days, taking in 40 football stadiums across the country, from Exeter City FC to Newcastle United.

Our nursing heroes have been unveiled ahead of International Nurses Day this Friday, after being honoured honoured at the 14th annual Nightingale Awards at Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium. Kelly Rowe’s exemplary service to paediatric care since 1996, and the many innovations she has introduced as a specialist diabetes nurse saw her named overall winner of the Nightingales, as well as the best Senior Nurse and winner of the Paediatric Award.

At five months old he received a heart transplant, at five years old he battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma, then at 24, Greg Rodgers found himself fighting for his life again. Greg feared his lymphoma had returned when he found a lump on his neck. He knew he would have to face weeks of chemotherapy, but what he had not been prepared for was the battle he was about to have against sepsis.

The Friary Hospital’s radiology department will temporarily close on 18 April 2017 to undergo major refurbishment made possible by a substantial donation from the local community. A total of £170,000 has been given by The Friends of Richmond Friary Community Hospital to install a new digital radiography system, replacing the existing outdated X-ray equipment. Patients who need an X-ray during this period will attend the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

When he was diagnosed with the incurable, progressive neurological condition Parkinson’s Disease at the age of just 41, Simon Laverick, 47 “allowed himself a fortnight to cry”.

But now he believes the diagnosis was just part of a new chapter in his life. At the start of Parkinson’s Awareness Week, he shares his inspirational story in a bid to give hope to other sufferers – and say thank you to the Parkinson’s Advanced Symptom Unit (PASU) that has been a “lifeline”.

When self-employed roofer and proud grandad Ken Bashford received an email from Prostate Cancer UK inviting him to take part in local celebrity Jeff Stelling’s latest marathon effort to fight the disease, he was “over the moon”. It was a much-welcomed high point in what has been a rollercoaster ride for the 60-year-old, from Marske, since being diagnosed with prostate cancer himself following a simple blood test in May 2015.