A problem shared, problem solved

If you're one of the thousands of people who gave up smoking as 2009 became 2010, how's it going? Don't be discouraged if your resolve has wavered or even gone the way of an abandoned January sale banner. The road to a nicotine-free life can often be a rocky one without that old coping mechanism to fall back on, so it's important to find new ways to relieve stress as well as get solid support with the goal of giving smoking for good.

Those who have struggled with quitting usually gather some valuable insights along the way about what really challenges their ability to go smoke-free. Is it cravings, the same old routine or stress that triggers a relapse? Knowing these can make a big difference in achieving your goal.

Don't forget too, the reasons why you wanted to give up in the first place. Some of the most common ones are:

• Your family are getting worried about your habit;
• Financially you'd be much better off;
  
• Your kids' - or even pets' - health is suffering;
• You're sick of smelling of smoke all the time...
• ...or maybe you just want to lead a healthier life.

Whether you fancy trying a (new) form of nicotine replacement therapy or if you want someone to talk to with real understanding of how hard it can be, the Stop Smoking Service is there to help. Contact them on 01900 324222 or text 'QUIT' to 82540.

One popular approach is to meet together in a group, run by your local Stop Smoking Advisor. There's nothing like a roomful of people who share that common goal to help boost your own motivation to stay stopped. Here's how it works:




If you'd like more information on groups or any of the free services provided by our Stop Smoking Advisors, ring the helpline. The number again is 01900 324222. And don't give up giving up!

Always Best2Know

One of our current campaigns is 'Best2Know', urging adults under 25 to take a chlamydia test as part of a national screening programme.

Unlike other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), chlamydia is a very commonly-occuring infection, as it can often go unnoticed with no symptoms at all.

Across England, an average 10% of all 16 to 24 year olds have chlamydia, while in Cumbria, 720 people tested positive for chlamydia out of more than 9,000 tested back in 2008.

For anyone squeamish about having a test, chlamydia screening is simple, fast and painless, as a urine sample is all that's required. The sample can then either be handed in at the local GP surgery or nearest sexual health clinic. Alternatively, it can also be posted straight to a lab in a pre-paid envelope which is part of screening kit, available free to anyone aged 15 to 24.



Should the test result return positive, the person will be contacted in total confidentiality via their mobile phone and advised how to get treatment. A week's course of antibiotics is usually all that's needed to clear chlamydia.

Jane Muller is NHS Cumbria’s Associate Director for Public Health. She said: “Chlamydia is a big problem as it’s widespread in young people as they often don’t know they’ve got it so continue to pass it on to new or multiple partners. If left untreated it can have serious long-term consequences, particularly for women where it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies and infertility.

“The best way to check if you’ve caught Chlamydia through unprotected sex is by having a simple and painless urine test. This is why we’re asking everyone in Cumbria under 25 to get tested, as it’s the only way you’ll know.”

You can get a chlamydia testing kit by visiting your GP, local participating pharmacy, sexual health clinic, by calling 01228 608036 (or 608035) or by filling in a form online at http://www.best2know.co.uk.

The Gathering

After what seems like months ago when we began putting word around, the very first get-together of our Cumbrian Young People's Health Panel is finally upon us and will be held this Saturday.

Colleagues in Public Engagement and Childrens' Services have gathered together a good mix of ages, personalities and experience to help tell the county's NHS how they want their services shaped.

It'll be a fascinating process to see how this group of young strangers works through the challenge of being asked to be themselves and begin to express their views against a backdrop of a very personal, common theme. Health care can easily polarise adults' opinion, so the two staff are prepared to be surprised, impressed and explore new ways of thinking in equal measure.

Stop Smoking Widget

If you're in your mid-twenties or a parent of someone around that age, you might remember the Tamagotchi craze. A little plastic toy with an LCD screen which required you to look after a creature every few hours. These days, things have moved on with gadgets - or more specifically, widgets for your computer desktop - looking after us.

Possibly one of the most genuinely useful freebies around on the internet, this gives you daily messages of encouragement, keeps track of how much money you're saving and counts how many days it's been since your last cigarette: All great motivators for staying smokefree.


Get it from nhs.uk's Tools section here and click on 'download for windows' (or Mac)

If you'd rather have some human support in giving up, there's free, local advice and support available from Cumbria Stop Smoking Service:

Telephone - 01900 324 222
Text ‘QUIT’ to 82540

or visit the Cumbria Stop Smoking Service website.

Vintage Good Advice

As relevant now as it ever was, this is from the 1948 National Health Service Public Information Film, 'Coughs and Sneezes'.

This clip shows how to reduce the spread of disease from sneezing and coughing. Today, this is known as respiratory hygiene or 'cough etiquette' and is an important way to reduce the spread of diseases such as swine flu. For a modern version of this educational film, watch the creative video, Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves ? at http://www.coughsafe.com/media.html

(from markdcatlin on youtube)

New Children & Young People's Panel

The process recently set in motion to make radical changes to Children's & Young People's Health Services is progressing fast. The core aims are to offer fair access to all services to people around the county - no matter where they are - and that those services should be of consistent quality throughout.


One way that the NHS Cumbria decision-makers are ensuring that the soon-to-be appointed service provider is up to the task, is to set up a fairly informal panel consisting of two relatively small groups: Children and their parents, plus a group for just young people, up to around nineteen years of age. One of the roles of the panel is to interview the prospective health providers and assess their suitability. The panel would also be asked to meet on an occasional basis to make sure newly-evolving services are staying on track.

In all, we're looking for up to ten families and ten young people to take part in the panel, which is a unique opportunity for people with experience of the Health Service - good or bad - to influence how it should be for the next years. Travel expenses will be provided together with the usual tea, coffee plus a light bite to eat. If anyone would like more info, contact me, Elle at ellemc143@gmail.com or on 0779 5640455.