Latest news with #PhilBatchelor
Otago Daily Times
04-08-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Winter illnesses push up wait times
Photo: File image Complacency around colds and flus is adding pressure to Canterbury's health system as people battle a surge of winter illnesses. Wait times to see a doctor vary widely – from same-day appointments to up to three weeks with certain doctors. Rolleston Central Health practice manager Phil Batchelor said many people are no longer using the preventive measures they adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Patients haven't learnt from previous winters, so there's no distancing, no masks being worn, children go to school with coughs, and we see a lot of viruses spread quickly through the community,' he said. Other factors affecting wait times include nationwide staff shortages and doctors themselves being unwell. Debbie Fawdray. Lincoln Medical Centre practice manager Debbie Fawdray said people are less vigilant now than during the pandemic. 'At the time, we were very vigilant about it, and that has slipped away, and colds and flus are starting to spread a bit more. 'People are sending their kids to school because they have to . . . People feel guilty taking time off work so you push yourself back, maybe too quickly.' Fawdray said depending on the situation, patients may be better off booking an online consultation – or even just riding out a cold. 'I think there is an expectation people will get antibiotics like they have in the past, and that is no longer an option. 'Sometimes people feel like they have wasted their time and money coming in because they can't get any treatment,' she said. In some of the smaller townships, everything is running smoothly. Darfield and West Melton medical centres' practice manager Sarah Barron said patients could be seen within a day or two. Leeston Medical Centre declined to comment. Alongside medical centres, Christchurch Hospital has also seen an 8% increase in patients compared to this time last year. It has averaged 414 patients a day this month. Council statistics released earlier this year highlighted broader access issues in Selwyn. Blood services are virtually non-existent and the district lags behind similar-sized Waimakariri and Timaru in the number of dental clinics, pharmacies, and medical centres. There is also no 24-hour medical service in Selwyn.
North Wales Chronicle
30-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Penarth dementia event takes place as UK cases near million
Hosted by Dementia Friendly Penarth, the event at The Paget Rooms brought together dozens of support groups, NHS teams, and community advocates. The event came with one shared mission, to turn Penarth into a more inclusive, informed space for people living with Emma Richards with Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. (Image: Phil Batchelor) The event was officially opened by Penarth's newly elected mayor, Emma Richards, who stood alongside Dementia Friendly Penarth chair Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. More than 20 organisations participated, offering resources, support, and hands-on advice to residents and caregivers. Groups included the Cardiff & Vale NHS Memory Team, Alzheimer's Society, Marie Curie, Telecare, South Wales Police and Penarth Library among many others. The Alzheimer's Society at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Mr Batchelor said: "What truly moved me during these discussions was hearing first hand how community members felt empowered by sharing their experiences. "It reminded me that our strength lies in coming together and caring for one another." According to the latest estimates from Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 1 million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a figure expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that more than 47,000 people across Wales are currently living with a diagnosed case of dementia. Urban and coastal regions are seeing substantially higher rates. One such hotspot is the Vale of Glamorgan, where an estimated 2,300 to 3,400 people are living with dementia. NHS information desk at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Research from the 2023 Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals only 36 per cent of the UK public believe it's possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia, despite evidence suggesting that up to 40 per cent of cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and smoking. The campaign's theme, Turning Penarth Blue, was a call to action, designed to paint the town with compassion, resources, and real understanding of the challenges people with dementia face every day. While more than half of adults in the UK know someone with dementia, many still fail to recognise it as a terminal condition. Only 60 per cent of the public accept that dementia is a cause of death, according to national surveys. Mr Batchelor said: "We're changing that narrative. With support, research, and awareness, we can all be part of creating a better future, for Penarth, for Wales, and for the thousands of families affected by dementia every year."
Western Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Penarth dementia event takes place as UK cases near million
Hosted by Dementia Friendly Penarth, the event at The Paget Rooms brought together dozens of support groups, NHS teams, and community advocates. The event came with one shared mission, to turn Penarth into a more inclusive, informed space for people living with dementia. Mayor Emma Richards with Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. (Image: Phil Batchelor) The event was officially opened by Penarth's newly elected mayor, Emma Richards, who stood alongside Dementia Friendly Penarth chair Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. More than 20 organisations participated, offering resources, support, and hands-on advice to residents and caregivers. Groups included the Cardiff & Vale NHS Memory Team, Alzheimer's Society, Marie Curie, Telecare, South Wales Police and Penarth Library among many others. The Alzheimer's Society at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Mr Batchelor said: "What truly moved me during these discussions was hearing first hand how community members felt empowered by sharing their experiences. "It reminded me that our strength lies in coming together and caring for one another." According to the latest estimates from Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 1 million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a figure expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that more than 47,000 people across Wales are currently living with a diagnosed case of dementia. Urban and coastal regions are seeing substantially higher rates. One such hotspot is the Vale of Glamorgan, where an estimated 2,300 to 3,400 people are living with dementia. NHS information desk at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Research from the 2023 Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals only 36 per cent of the UK public believe it's possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia, despite evidence suggesting that up to 40 per cent of cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and smoking. The campaign's theme, Turning Penarth Blue, was a call to action, designed to paint the town with compassion, resources, and real understanding of the challenges people with dementia face every day. While more than half of adults in the UK know someone with dementia, many still fail to recognise it as a terminal condition. Only 60 per cent of the public accept that dementia is a cause of death, according to national surveys. Mr Batchelor said: "We're changing that narrative. With support, research, and awareness, we can all be part of creating a better future, for Penarth, for Wales, and for the thousands of families affected by dementia every year."
The Herald Scotland
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Penarth dementia event takes place as UK cases near million
The event came with one shared mission, to turn Penarth into a more inclusive, informed space for people living with dementia. Mayor Emma Richards with Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. (Image: Phil Batchelor) The event was officially opened by Penarth's newly elected mayor, Emma Richards, who stood alongside Dementia Friendly Penarth chair Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. More than 20 organisations participated, offering resources, support, and hands-on advice to residents and caregivers. Groups included the Cardiff & Vale NHS Memory Team, Alzheimer's Society, Marie Curie, Telecare, South Wales Police and Penarth Library among many others. The Alzheimer's Society at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Mr Batchelor said: "What truly moved me during these discussions was hearing first hand how community members felt empowered by sharing their experiences. "It reminded me that our strength lies in coming together and caring for one another." According to the latest estimates from Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 1 million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a figure expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that more than 47,000 people across Wales are currently living with a diagnosed case of dementia. Urban and coastal regions are seeing substantially higher rates. One such hotspot is the Vale of Glamorgan, where an estimated 2,300 to 3,400 people are living with dementia. NHS information desk at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Research from the 2023 Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals only 36 per cent of the UK public believe it's possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia, despite evidence suggesting that up to 40 per cent of cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and smoking. The campaign's theme, Turning Penarth Blue, was a call to action, designed to paint the town with compassion, resources, and real understanding of the challenges people with dementia face every day. While more than half of adults in the UK know someone with dementia, many still fail to recognise it as a terminal condition. Only 60 per cent of the public accept that dementia is a cause of death, according to national surveys. Mr Batchelor said: "We're changing that narrative. With support, research, and awareness, we can all be part of creating a better future, for Penarth, for Wales, and for the thousands of families affected by dementia every year."
