A SPECIALIST department has officially opened at the Cumberland Infirmary. Those visiting the hospital s Accident and Emergency department will notice the upgrade, which includes a new spacious paediatric department. The addition will allow staff to cater for youngsters of all ages, from babies to teens, and has been paid for through part of the £4 million funding North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) received last year. Paediatric A&E, which used to have just one waiting room and one cubicle, will now include a waiting room; triage room; safe room; high dependency unit; and three clinic rooms. Mike Schofield, consultant in Emergency Medicine and Paediatric Emergency Medicine, said: “It’s easy to say that the new department will make a massive difference to children and the care we are able to provide.
With New Year just round the corner, now is the perfect time to review what s in your medicine cabinet. A properly stocked medicine cabinet can help you to treat many common illnesses and ailments over the festive period and beyond. North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is urging all to make sure they have key items on-hand, as recommended by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. These include a first-aid kit, with plasters, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash and more; paracetamol, ibuprofen and other pain relief; oral rehydration salts; anti-diarrhoea tablets; antihistamines; and indigestion relief tablets. Paul Fieldhouse, clinical director of pharmacy at NCIC, said: “Many of us get a minor illness from time to time over the winter period, and you’ll be relieved of suffering if you have a properly stocked medicine cabinet that helps you get back on your feet quickly.
PEOPLE who lost their sense of smell as a result of Covid-19 are being urged to seek help to prevent any further dangerous situations. Anosmia, or the loss of sense of smell, is one of the recorded side effects of coronavirus - and other viruses. Medics at the North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) Trust are urging those with anosmia to get help. Andrew Robson, ENT Consultant at NCIC, said: “It has been known for some time that viruses can cause anosmia, and this can last for considerable lengths of time. Anosmia also affects the sense of taste and is understandably quite distressing, affecting an individual s appreciation of food and drink among other pleasurable scents.
Specialist clinics open for long Covid patients
A network of specialist clinics helping people suffering from the long-term effects of coronavirus has grown to more than 60 sites A network of specialist clinics helping people suffering from the long-term effects of coronavirus has grown to more than 60 sites, the NHS has announced, including trusts serving Cumbria and Northumbria. Hundreds of patients are already receiving help from the 69 assessment centres that are taking referrals from GPs of people who could be battling long Covid. NHS England said patient referrals include those experiencing brain fog, anxiety, depression, breathlessness, fatigue and other debilitating symptoms.
FRONTLINE workers are cheering up their patients this Christmas with festive-themed scrubs, thanks to a generous donation. Staff at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven received a donation to purchase Christmas scrubs and face masks. A spokesperson for North Cumbria Integrated Care said: “Don’t they scrub up well!? Staff in the Emergency Department at the West Cumberland Hospital have had special festive scrubs made to wear over the Christmas period.” The NHS key workers wanted to bring some festive cheer into the wards during a particularly challenging Christmas period. A&E nurse Anita Howland suggested Christmas scrubs as a way of bringing some cheer.