Latest news with #SLT
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Expectant mothers told about dangers of smokeless tobacco use
Chandigarh: Pregnant women were told about the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco use to help them make healthier choices during pregnancy at a workshop at the Civil Hospital here. It was organised recently by the department of community medicine and School of Public Health, PGI, in collaboration with the UT administration. The workshop was led by Dr Madhu Gupta. The team conducted interactive sessions with pregnant women, highlighting the adverse consequences of SLT use during pregnancy. These include preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, miscarriage, stillbirth, developmental delays, and oral health complications. Emphasising the critical importance of maternal health, Dr Madhu stated, "The long-term well-being of the child is contingent on the well-being of the mother, thus it is imperative that the mother practice good health including total refrain from use of all forms of tobacco." The workshop also focused on providing coping strategies for tobacco cessation.
Scottish Sun
27-04-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Dementia sufferers hail game-changing new tool as experts call for nation-wide rollout
'Each person living with dementia has their own unique story' AN expert has urged people with Alzheimer's to add a new chapter to their story – by writing an autobiography. Health workers have been supporting patients as they create their own life stories. Advertisement 1 NHS greater glasgow and clyde have experts who make story books about the lives of patients to help bring back memories The team at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's speech and language therapy service hope that those who have been diagnosed will see it as the next step in their journey rather than the conclusion. Their documented memories can include personal details, such as family, friends and hobbies. Gillian Councill, executive lead for brain health and innovation at Alzheimer Scotland, thinks the project could be a nationwide hit. She said: 'Those living with dementia often struggle with communication and memory, and may struggle to express themselves and talk about what matters to them. Advertisement 'These difficulties can also make it harder to maintain social relationships which, in turn, can cause their condition to progress more quickly. 'Creating a life story book of memories and experiences can be an effective way to engage with a person with dementia, to help them feel more connected with their family, friends and carers. 'Each person living with dementia has their own unique story and their needs, preferences and aspirations are as diverse as they are. 'It's so important to see the person first and foremost, rather than the disease.' Advertisement Leigh McKnight, an SLT healthcare support worker at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital, works with people struggling to communicate due to dementia, stroke or a brain injury. She has helped hundreds of patients and their families put together books after getting loved ones to complete a questionnaire and provide materials such as photographs and life highlights. Likes and dislikes, key people in a patient's life, places they have travelled, hobbies and even how they take their tea or coffee can all be effective in generating discussion and memories. RAH colleague Geraldine Ralph identifies patients who might benefit from a book and refers them to support workers. Advertisement Leigh said: 'A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating. 'The feedback we've had about our life story books is hugely positive, and we know they bring a lot of comfort to those affected by impaired communication. Often, they can be used to encourage conversations or discussions about certain topics or memories — this can really help people feel less isolated and better understood. 'They also help health and social care staff understand the person they are caring for as they act as a fact file of their life and interests. 'I find it a very rewarding process and it's great to see so many families take the books home and continue adding to them.' Advertisement In one example, Leigh used maps to illustrate all the countries someone had visited and, in another, she included the lyrics to the song Singing In The Rain, which the patient could still recite in full. Favourite foods, music and football teams have also featured in autobiographies. Every personalised story starts from birth and includes family snaps, plus milestones such as wedding anniversaries and the dates children were born. The wife of one patient with early onset dementia said the books give 'a flavour of the person and their life' prior to their diagnosis. Advertisement She explained: 'I have striven to make sure people see the person, and recognise and understand he deserves to be treated with respect, compassion and dignity. 'The life story book has really come into its own as he is in hospital and currently hasn't been able to communicate.' SHARE THE LOAD A HELPING hand with dementia diagnosis: DON'T TRY TO MANAGE ALONE: You shouldn't take on all the responsibility by yourself. Doing too much for a loved one can damage your health. Lean on friends and family. SHARING THE CARING: You can get help from services and benefits provided by places like social work departments. Don't think twice about asking. For example, you could be exempt from paying council tax. HEALTH SERVICES: Your GP is the first person to contact. Tell them about any changes in the patient's condition and ask to be referred to a dementia specialist. SOCIAL SERVICES: Carers and their loved ones can access a community care assessment from the local council's social work department to discover what services could help. HELPLINE: For further support, information or simply a listening ear, anyone can call Alzheimer Scotland's 24-hour freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000, or email helpline@ Meanwhile, a patient with word-finding difficulties due to language-led dementia said: 'It saves me embarrassment when I can't think of a name because it's there in my book and it takes the pressure off.' And the relative of another patient said her loved one responds better to familiar visual prompts, rather than verbal ones, adding: 'When he comes to speech and language, we feel we are seen as individuals, not just a case history. Advertisement 'What a difference it makes to talk about what he can do rather than what he can't.'
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport Little Theatre hosts free workshop for actors
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Calling all stage and musical actors, the Shreveport Little Theatre presents a free workshop led by Laura Beeman Nugent, seasoned theatre professional and Artistic Director. Music, Mood, Movement: A Stage Movement Workshop will enhance actors' toolkits to reach their full potential and increase their ability to move with purpose, expressiveness, and dynamism onstage in musicals or plays. According to the news release, Nugent has over two decades of experience; she began in 1998 with SLT after touring the US and Canada with Missoula Children's Theatre. She returned to Shreveport, co-founded the SLT Academy in 2007, and has been the Academy's Artistic Director since 2013. She took on the role of SLT's Artistic Director in May 2024. The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Shreveport Little Theatre Studio, 812 Margaret Place, Shreveport. Krewe of Highland Parade & Bal: what you need to know 'As an experienced director and choreographer for SLT's MainStage and summer musicals, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work,' details the news release. Nugent teaches theatre at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) and Loyola College Prep and holds degrees in theatre from BPCC, Louisiana Tech, LSUS and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from LSUS. Spaces are limited. Contact or boxoffice@ to make a reservation for the workshop. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Report criticises council's 'culture of secrecy'
External auditors have called for more openness in a Surrey council's decision-making after some members described a "culture of secrecy". A critical report presented to councillors has raised a "significant weakness" in how it makes decisions. A recent change to the authority's constitution has also been criticised for not being publicly discussed, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The council's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) said it would continue working to provide as much transparency as possible. Quoting the Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review from March 2024, the report said there was a "universal frustration and confusion around the lack of transparency through the decision-making process". It concluded there was "an immediate need to make it clear and transparent how decisions are made in a committee system". But no action seems to have been taken, with external auditors finding the council had updated its constitution in a way that "was not fully discussed in public meetings and not fully transparent", according to the report. In response, the council's management said: "The senior leadership team believes the council is transparent in its reporting and through committees." Regarding the issue of the constitution, it said it was "subject to advice and was not suitable for public discussion". Speaking for the senior management team, the director of corporate cervices told a meeting of the council's audit and scrutiny committee the team completely understood the need for transparency. "We'll continue to work to provide that as much as possible," he added. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Tree planting begins as part of action plan Two new colourful murals unveiled at theatre Surrey's smallest borough approves plan for homes Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Epsom: Report criticises council's 'culture of secrecy'
External auditors have called for more openness in a Surrey council's decision-making after some members described a "culture of secrecy".A critical report presented to councillors has raised a "significant weakness" in how it makes decisions.A recent change to the authority's constitution has also been criticised for not being publicly discussed, reports the Local Democracy Reporting council's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) said it would continue working to provide as much transparency as possible. Quoting the Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review from March 2024, the report said there was a "universal frustration and confusion around the lack of transparency through the decision-making process". It concluded there was "an immediate need to make it clear and transparent how decisions are made in a committee system".But no action seems to have been taken, with external auditors finding the council had updated its constitution in a way that "was not fully discussed in public meetings and not fully transparent", according to the report. 'Need for transparency' In response, the council's management said: "The senior leadership team believes the council is transparent in its reporting and through committees."Regarding the issue of the constitution, it said it was "subject to advice and was not suitable for public discussion". Speaking for the senior management team, the director of corporate cervices told a meeting of the council's audit and scrutiny committee the team completely understood the need for transparency."We'll continue to work to provide that as much as possible," he added.
