News
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a fantastic annual opportunity to raise awareness of bowel cancer and funds to support our work.
About Bowel Cancer UK
the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity and determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. They support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.
The facts about bowel cancer
Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. It’s more common in the over 50s but it can affect people of all ages. Around 268,000 people living in the UK today have been diagnosed with the disease.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer but it shouldn’t be, as it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, however this drops significantly as the disease develops.
Being aware of the key symptoms and visiting your GP if things don’t feel right can help increase chances of an early diagnosis, and could save your life.
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy.
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms but if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, see your GP.
Protect yourself against flu
The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for: children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2021 – born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2019...
Medicines Management Collaborative achieves double whammy in National Prescribing Awards
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CQC puts Blackburn Care Home in Special Measures
CQC takes action to protect people at Longfield Residential Home - MD in Blackburn The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has placed Longfield Residential...
Gambling Harm across Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
It was reported that during the pandemic, and lockdowns, problematic gambling had increased because on-line gambling is so accessible (even though bookmakers were closed). The Gordon Moody Association, which runs residential treatment programmes for people with a severe gambling disorder, said the...
BwD Oral Health Strategy 2021/22
BwD Public Health has issued a new oral health strategy aimed at tackling the issue of poor dental health amongst children in the borough. Please find attached our summary for you to read. We'd love to hear your feedback on this new strategy here -
Dental Access Information
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NHS Morecambe Bay CCG participates in Care Quality Commission’s review of ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic
17 March 2021 Improved oversight and reform needed as pressures of pandemic shine light on inconsistent and concerning approaches to DNACPR decisions. A new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found worrying variation in people’s experiences of do not attempt cardiopulmonary...
Celebrities Join Forces With NHS and Public Health England to Encourage Cancer Checks
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Guidance on isolating at home if you have symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19
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Do you know someone who had a Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate (DNACPR) order put in place during the pandemic
Healthwatch are supporting the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with a survey for people who have had or known someone who had a Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate (DNACPR) order put in place or reviewed during the COVID-19 pandemic, between March 2020 and now. We are sharing a survey on their behalf to...
Cards for Kindness Campaign Approaches
Cards for kindness campaign launches The countdown to Christmas is now on and Lancashire residents are being encouraged to send a card to their local care home to brighten up someone's day. Cards for Kindness, a campaign to tackle loneliness and isolation amongst older people, launches on Tuesday 1...
In the run up and during the festive period, please access mental health online support if you need it
This December is going to feel different as we navigate through COVID19. We know that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England and this year with the current pandemic, it is more important than ever to look after our mentalhealth. Togetherall is an...
What to do if you have a dental problem during the COVID-19 pandemic
If you have a dental issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that you know how to access help when you need it. All dental practices in the North West are now open and have resumed face-to-face care. Due to the requirements around personal protective equipment and infection protection...
It's more important than ever to stay well and healthy this winter advises leading GP
At the start of this year’s annual Self-Care Week (16th to 22nd November), GPs in East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen are advising people to keep medicine cabinets fully stocked this winter. Winter this year, with the added burden of coronavirus (COVID-19) in circulation, could be an...
Pennine CCGs Covid-19 statement on pressures on local NHS services
Dr Mark Dziobon, local GP and Medical Director for the Pennine Lancashire CCGs, said: “ Locally, doctors are very concerned about the rising infection rates in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Covid-19 is a serious disease and there is still no cure or vaccine – sadly this means the number of people...
Local leading cancer GP urges residents to recognise the signs this #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
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A major drive is launched across Pennine Lancashire to protect the community from flu this winter
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Lancashire Resilience Newsletter Issue 16
Featuring information on the new Lancashire COVID-19 Restrictions
World Mental Health Day
In support of World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2020, @BwDTTCHub be delivering free online workshops throughout October! The workshops will explore the impact of mental health stigma and discrimination and look at the ways we can use our own stories to help tackle stigma! The first workshop...
August 2020 Newsletter
Welcome to the August Newsletter. As an independent Community Interest Company, Healthwatch BwD is dedicated to making local residents’ views on the quality of Health and Social Care services heard and responded to. Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid 19 pandemic, HWBwD continues...
Lancashire Fire & Rescue Update
Lancashire Mind offer support to those suffering with their Mental Health and Wellbeing
Lancashire Mind are working specifically in Blackburn and Darwen to help people to better self manage their wellbeing and to improve their quality of life!
Staying Safe in Your Pharmacy
Mental health support for young people over Summer
Whilst the summer can be a time to have fun and enjoy the sun, it’s not an easy time for everyone. Many families have been particularly struggling over the past few months, and the stress of isolation and anxieties around Covid-19 may be affecting your child’s mental health, and exacerbating other...
June 2020 newsletter
Transition Back to School after Covid-19
The Educational Psychology Team and Special Educational Needs Support Service in Blackburn with Darwen have collated a resource pack to help staff, parents, children and young people, should you feel you need it, to help you to support children and young people in preparation for their return and...
Healthwatch Together Coronavirus Survey
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