ISSUE 4
 News
Changing faces
 Promoting Health
Ovarian Cancer
Abdominal Aortic
Aneurism
Keeping fit

eet our Team
Dr Waddell
 Did you Know?
Test your knowledge
 Healthy new Spring recipe
Dr Grace Watts joined our practice on 16th December 2013. She has a special interest in women’s health (including coils and implants) and is currently working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings and all day Friday.
Dr Watts previously worked at Walker Medical Group in Newcastle upon Tyne. She lives in Gosforth with her husband and two young sons.
Dr Pepper Atkinson joined the team on 1 st January 2014. Dr Atkinson has a special interest in women’s and sexual health and also child health. She currently works three full days, Monday, Tuesday &
Wednesday.
Dr Atkinson previously worked in a GP Practice in South Shields. She lives in Seaton Delaval with her husband and baby daughter.
On 10 th February we were joined by Sister Alison Anderson who will be working as a practice nurse, specialising in Diabetes, and will be working four days per week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
Sister Anderson is married and lives with her husband in Whitley Bay and has a daughter who is at University in Scotland.
This Newsletter covers two topics which are not well understood or known by the general public. One affects men and the other women, but both are potentially life threatening and early detection can vastly improve your chances of a full recovery.
 For women: Ovarian Cancer
 For men; Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
 As from 1.4.2014 Main doors are open from 0830-1830. Appointments available 0830-1115; 1355-1745.There will be no clinical cover between 12.30-1.30

 Practice Opening Hours: Main doors are open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1800

Monday – Friday.

 ctice Opening Hours: Main doors are open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1800
Monday – Friday.
 Website: stationmedicalgroup-blyth.nhs.uk

STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
In every issue we will highlight a particular health topic.
This issue covers two important preventive health awareness topics - one directed at women and the other at men
MARCH 2014
PAGE 2
Women have two ovaries, one at each side of the uterus. The ovaries are part of the reproduction system and produce female sex hormones and produce and store eggs for reproduction.
If you were to have ovarian cancer, early diagnosis could save your life.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women. Most ovarian cancers cases occur in women over the age of fifty years, although some types of ovarian cancer do occur in much younger women.
Not all ovarian tumours are cancerous. Non-cancerous tumours are called
benign tumours. These tumours may need treatment but are rarely life threatening.
Malignant ovarian tumours are cancerous.
Ovarian cancer is a disease that affects the normal function of the ovaries when abnormal cells within the ovary start to multiply creating a tumour.
NOTE: Smear tests do not detect ovarian cancer
Family History If two or more members of your family have had ovarian or breast cancer you may have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
This is because you may have inherited a faulty gene.
Signs and Symptoms Some of the following signs and symptoms can be similar to other medical conditions, but if you are getting some or all of the following that are frequent, persistent or getting worse, you should see your doctor.
 Persistent stomach pain.
 Persistent bloating.
 Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.
 Needing to pass water more frequently.
Symptoms that can be associated with ovarian cancer include:
 Changes in bowel habits, eg, (diarrhoea or constipation)
 Feeling extreme tiredness.
 Back pain.
What to do It is important to diagnose cancers early. Do not ignore these symptoms, see your doctor. If your doctor thinks you might have ovarian cancer they will firstly arrange a blood test, (CA125) and an ultrasound scan of your ovaries. You may need further tests before a diagnosis is confirmed.
More Information… There will be a visual display about ovarian cancer on the notice board, and information booklets will be available for patients in the waiting area .

and get fit
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
We all know that maintaining a healthy weight, eating sensibly and keeping our bodies fit are essential to our general wellbeing and longterm health. Why not take up a new activity?
MARCH 2014
Are you aged 65 years or older?
The NHS has launched a screening service where an ultrasound scan is used to check men for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Men will be invited by letter for screening during their 65 th year. Men over 65 years who have not previously been screened can also arrange for an appointment.
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm? The abdominal aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. As you get older the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak, causing a bulge in the blood vessel. This condition is more common in men aged over 65 years.
Screening procedure The procedure will take about ten minutes. It will be a pain free ultrasounds scan of your abdomen to look for an aneurysm. If an aneurysm is detected it will be monitored or treated, therefore greatly reducing the chances of the aneurysm causing a serious problem.
Symptoms If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm you generally will have no symptoms, feel no pain, or notice anything different. That is why it is important to take this opportunity and have an ultrasound scan.
 You will receive an information booklet at the time of your scan.
 You will receive the result of your scan at your screening appointment.
 Your GP will get a copy of your results.
 If no aneurysm is detected it is unlikely that you will ever need another scan.
Men who are older than 65, and who have not previously been screened or treated for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, can opt in through self-referral direct to the screening programme. It could take a few weeks for you to receive an appointment. If you have a Blyth GP, your scan will be carried out at the Blyth community hospital, out patients department.
For an appointment. Tel: 01914453726 The North East AAA Screening
There is also a website:- aaa.screening.nhs.uk
How many of you felt bloated and unfit after the Christmas Festivities and vowed to do something about it?. For many of us the novelty has already worn off. Resolution is forgotten and we have already given up the idea of losing weight and getting fitter, blaming “the weather or the dark nights”?
Apart from beautiful beaches and countryside, where walking cost nothing, we are very lucky to have a number of health facilities in the town and nearby. Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure have lots of ideas for all ages and levels of fitness and there is a new website for a wide range of facilities across the region at www.activenorthumberland.org.uk
Or you can always visit Blyth Sports Centre website http://bval.co.uk/ or call in to pick up some leaflets.

STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Joined the Station Medical
Group ten years ago.
He has a personal interest in primary health care and in particular prevention of coronary heart disease.
He was involved in regional working groups to deal with potential major health incidents – flu pandemic.
PAGE 4
“ Leaving home in Nottingham in the Brian Clough era, I trained at
Birmingham University and worked there and at Stoke before GP training in Hereford and Worcester. I had considered general practice there but moved to East London to do a Diploma of Child Health in the eighties. When Eileen and I married we decided to move north to find a practice. On our first visit in 1987 I remember us getting lost in sleet on
Scrogg Road, Walker!
However, we remain living in Newcastle and have three children. The youngest is in his last school year now. I enjoyed athletics in the past and my daughter revived my interest as she took up running seriously, but was well ahead of me in the Great North Run two years ago.
I have been in the Station practice over ten years, joining after it was established in the new premises. Before this I had been in partnership in
Cramlington with Dr. Foster for thirteen years.
While there I had become interested in heart disease and the prevention of coronary heart disease, which had affected my own family. I had read much on the real benefits of treating blood pressure and cholesterol before they cause harm in reducing drastically the risks of developing what is still the greatest cause of illness nowadays. It can be frustrating to get this message across as the benefits are not felt: a non-event is the aim. Smoking is less prevalent nowadays: the four senior partners smoked in my first practice while it’s unheard of now. Perhaps this year the serious effects of what is in our food is getting more publicity.
In 2010 the fear of the flu pandemic with a massive threat to life was real and almost imminent at one point. I was representing the practice in the arrangements. In retrospect many feel the preparations were overcautious and involved unnecessary expense. On the other hand, I felt the organization in the region was very impressive and well coordinated with graded response as the situation developed. It seems to be out of the news now though the potential remains and we are preoccupied with less drastic issues : strange how perspective has to change.
General practice has developed since I started training in Worcester where computers were just coming in. These have enabled a very detailed picture of the medical conditions we are managing in practice but have also brought a greater workload. Medicine is divided into more specialties with ever more complex investigations. There is pressure to avoid crowding hospitals but also to detect diseases such as cancer early. General practice is an obvious target for criticism.
However, I am very proud to be able to work with a team of doctors and other staff involved in the enormous variety of health, social and personal problems. I think recently trained doctors are very well motivated and prepared to give effective and personal care, but primary care also needs more appreciation, with appropriate resources and staffing.
MARCH 2014

STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
How accurate is your understanding of healthy eating?
Test your knowledge with
our fun quiz
_________________________
PAGE 5
Extract taken from food for life partnership
 Fruit juice and baked beans count as one portion of your fruit and vegetable intake o True – fruit juice can only count for one of your five portions per day i.e. you can’t have five glasses of juice and say you have had your five a day.
 If I eat lots of fruit I don’t need to eat any vegetables o False – you need to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables for a healthy diet,
 Your fruit and vegetable intake must come from fresh fruit and vegetables only. o
False – your fruit and vegetable portions can be made up of dried, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
 People should consume at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. o True
 Wholegrain bread, beans and lentils are a rich source of fibre o True
 A diet containing an adequate supply of fibre will help prevent constipation, lower blood cholesterol levels and help control blood glucose levels o True,
 There is more calcium in a pint of skimmed milk than in a pint of whole milk. o False – skimmed milk contains less fat but the same amount of calcium
 Turnips and oranges are a source of calcium o False
 Sunlight is a source of vitamin D o True
 A diet containing an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D will help prevent against osteoporosis.
o
True
 Excess salt could cause high blood pressure and heart disease.
 True
 Physical activity can help reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. o True
 Walking and some household chores such as mowing the lawn, is counted as physical activity. o True
MARCH 2014

STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
The Pink Mile Walk –
Sunday 6 July at 2pm
Meet at the warden’s bungalow, Blyth Beach.
Coffee Morning /Saturday
12 April at South Beach
Community centre, 1100-
1300.
Delivering a service for approximately 10,000
patients in the Blyth area.
Please use the Suggestion
Box on Reception and
PPG to voice your views.
We welcome ideas for topics of interest from all ages, and would especially like to hear from young people.
PAGE 6
There are many local support groups in the area which have been set up to offer support to those affected by illness and their families. We gave some information about dementia support in our second issue. These groups and the people involved (mostly volunteers) make a vast difference to feeling you are not alone.
One support group which has been running for 15 years in Blyth is currently run by one of our PPG members, Brenda Young, and alongside the excellent NHS and Macmillan Breast Care support team in the area has helped many ladies and their loved ones cope during this traumatic time.
Unfortunately, breast cancer touches many people, either directly or as family and friends of someone diagnosed with the disease.
For anyone who would like to meet with others who have already experienced this challenge or are currently undergoing treatment, you can join a friendly get together over a coffee where, if you want, you can have chat about anything you might be unsure of or just enjoy the company and refreshments.
The group meet in the dining room of Blyth Community Hospital on the
2 nd Monday of each month. From 6-9 pm. As well as providing information and encouragement, over the years the group has been the basis of many long-standing friendships.
Every year a walk to “Celebrate life” takes place at Blyth Beach. This is not just for breast cancer supporters but anyone who would like to celebrate meeting health challenges. This year the “ Pink Mile”, is on
Sunday 6 July. For all further details Tel: 01670529319
Italian Stuffed
Chicken
4 chicken breast fillets, skinless
50g (2oz) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
200g (7oz) ricotta cheese
15g (1/2oz) fresh basil leaves, roughly torn salt & freshly ground black pepper
8 slices of Parma ham roasted vegetables to serve
1.
Preheat oven to 190*C/375*F/Gas 5. Mix together the sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta and basil (leaving a few leaves to garnish) in a bowl and season.
2.
Cut a horizontal slit in the side of each chicken breast. Fill with ricotta mixture. Wrap each breast with 2 strips of Parma ham so that the joins are underneath and fix in place with cocktail sticks.
3.
Put the stuffed chicken breasts on a baking tray and bake for
20-25 minute or until golden and cooked through.
4.
Remove the cocktail sticks and slice in half. Serve with roasted vegetables and garnish with basil leaves.
MARCH 2014