Health Matters
What a brilliant weekend!

Hinsley Hall, Leeds 27-29th June 2008
The title has a double meaning. Health does matter and a huge umbrella
covers so many things concerning health. The weekend was both informative
and interesting. The speakers were not just consistently good they were all
extremely good. We learned what services are available and how they can be
accessed.

We started with Father Paul Dowling, a chaplain from James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. He reminded us that if we, or a relative, have a planned stay in hospital we should inform our priest before we go in. In the case of an emergency make sure someone knows your wishes so they will contact a Priest for you. Long gone are the days when a Priest might pop his head round the ward door and ask "any Catholics". The clergy must now be invited to attend us. Anointing of the sick is for healing and this can be administered before you go in hospital and is not a sign that you are dying! Booklets to help understand the needs of Catholic patients are available from the Catholic Truth Society ww.cts-online.org.uk.

We started Saturday morning with a speaker who was possibly the star of the weekend. Val from the Carers Association in Leeds. Val had cared for her
own young daughter during her short life. Caring that brought the breakup
of her relationship and caring that almost was too much to bear but she had
determination and inner strength that carried her through the most awful
times. Every bit of help, that was available, had to be fought for and
argued for. Now with all that experience Val lectures students in how to
talk to Carers and how to help them access all the help they need and are
entitled to. Val's story was sad but never self pitying and strangely never
depressing.

Alzheimer's Association came next. Two lovely young women spoke about the
help available. Very interestingly we were told Alzheimers is not a mental
disease but a physical one. The women talked with respect and dignity. So
much more help is offered now and more effective medication that rather than a sorry tale it was a hopeful talk.

Next was a doctor from a practice in Leeds. Richard was so full of
enthusiasm and good common sense we were l cheered by his talk. We all
wanted him to be our GP! After a break for lunch a senior manager from the Health Service spoke about Clinical Quality in Primary Care. This lady and the Doctor before her were very reassuring. We hear lots of bad things about the Health Service but there are very good aspects and dedicated people working in the NHS.

A lady from Age Concern gave us advice on how to access help not only with
health matters but with money matters too. Help with heating, pension
credits, attendance allowance and much more. Sister Brigid from Hospice Care explained at little about hospice care in such a positive way that it relieved fears. For example having just 80% occupancy leaves room for those emergency cases that cannot be predicted.

The hospice also offers counselling with a special team offering counselling for bereaved children. Our own Jane Dawson gave us an excellent talk on "Aiming for Continence". We giggled a bit and made a few jokes but I think everyone was grateful for a straightforward approach to an embarrassing subject. We examined different types of pads and were urged to continue with those pelvic exercises.

Sometimes surgical procedure may be needed. When caring for elderly
relatives it is important to distinguish between constipation and diarrhoea.
Often constipation can cause the leakage of mucous giving the effect of
diarrheal. An "over the counter" medication is then wrongly administered.
It is very important to seek medical advice when caring for an elderly
person.

Talking about exercise we then has a short session of armchair exercise led
by a member, Veronica. And girls, though I hate to admit it, exercise
works. I was starting to feel a little tired but felt truly rejuvenated
after the exercise which though armchair did involve standing up at times.
Now we didn't just giggle we laughed ( and not only at "E" who whilst doing
put your weight on one leg fell over in the most graceful fashion I have
ever seen). I think the exercise wasn't just important it was vital.
Perhaps we should have a session at National AGM?

Saturday night featured a Virgin Vie make up demonstration which was great fun. One lady won a makeover and whilst she looked very nice before the start she looked stunning by the finish.

Mass on Sunday morning was celebrated by Father Peter Rosser and was very spiritual and special with so few of us in the chapel. After breakfast another of our members with hidden talents spoke. Jean Slater a CWL member and a Red Cross worker of many years experience told us
lots about the Red Cross. Did you know wheel chairs, commodes and many
other pieces of equipment may be hired at no cost for a small returnable
deposit? The Red Cross also give lessons in First Aid amongst many other
things. Did you know that when we see floods on the TV news some of those
boats belong to the Red Cross?

Well fellow members if you weren't there you missed a real treat. I truly
did not expect to learn so much in one weekend nor to hear such good
speakers. There was a bonus too. Hinlsey Hall is very comfortable and the
food was delicious.

I am sure that I am reiterating the words of all those present when I say a
big thank you to Jane Dawson and Elizabeth Rodgers for organising a great
weekend. Well done girls and many thanks.