NHS Norfolk is making sure you've got a really healthy option if you are looking for something to eat at the Norfolk Show next week.

The Joy of Food team will be in the Food Hall offering delicious food that is fantastically healthy too!

Joy of Food's Caroline Seaman said: "The Norfolk Show is all about celebrating Norfolk's rich association with good food.

"There is always lots to eat at the show. Our mission this year is to offer individuals and families the best value healthiest option. Come to us and we guarantee to give you two of your five portions of fruit and veg for the day."

The morning menu at the Joy of Food stand will see fruity flapjacks and a portion of juice for £1.50 and at lunchtime they will be serving two varieties of tasty salad wraps at £2 each.

The Joy of Food stand will be staffed by Joy of Food trainers, overseen by the project's co-ordinator Mary Iginla.

NHS Norfolk's lottery-funded Joy of Food initiative has been running for two years and promotes healthy eating, correct portion sizes and offers real help and support to people wanting to make the switch to healthier eating.

Caroline said: "Enjoying a wide range of different foods and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day are important to give you more energy and protect your short and long term health and wellbeing. Reducing your salt, sugar and fat intake is also vital to maintaining a healthy diet.

"The social pleasure of sharing food with friends and family is also really important."

Joy of Food provides cook-and-eat programmes in communities, offering easy recipes, top tips on saving money and information about balanced diets and food labels.

Contact the Joy of Food on 01603 257219, email: joyoffood@norfolk.nhs.uk or go to www.norfolk.nhs.uk

One of the most exciting events in Norfolk calendars is just around the corner - 2010’s Royal Norfolk Show. Wednesday 30th June and Thursday 1st July will see tens of thousands of people descend on the Norfolk Showground on the outskirts of Norwich for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association’s highlight of the year.

The show is officially the largest agricultural show of its kind in the United Kingdom, with nearly 100,000 people visiting last year’s show over the two days.


There are plenty of different things to do and to see, with a fantastic variety of livestock competing across the showground - horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and cavies, as well as copious trade stands, a dog show, a sheep shearing show, large food hall with cookery theatre and other exciting spectacles. This year’s Grand Ring programme includes motorcycle trick riding, the RAF Falcons free-fall parachute team, RAF pipes and drums, hound displays, horse and trap competitions and a new event for this year - scurry driving, a thrilling competition in which pairs of ponies are driven through a tricky course of cones and hazards against the clock.

Local Tom

WOW yes we said it would. We got the info onto motoring hints sometime ago, we mentioned the dangers:see our previous article - in-car wifi are you sitting confortable?
 

This Sunday saw the advert for the new Renault Master Van complete with PIVOTING SEATBACK TABLE to hold your LAPTOP.

This table is fitted next to drivers left arm, where just taking your eyes off the road you can view the computer screen.

The Sat Nav is fitted above the interior mirror, making the driver to constantly look to his left.

Also the possible chance of Mobile phones being used,  YES we all agree the company vehicle is todays office, but road safety has got to be of the first most importance, how on earth are safety experts giving the go ahead for this to happern..

Drivers must not be allowed to take their eyes off the road, to use hi tech equipment, we all know how dangerous todays driving can be..

The new Jaguar has a TV screen on the facia panel so passengers can watch but this is not in the view of the driver, it is angled towards the passenger side...

Was it not a few months ago a HGV Driver was involved in a major road accident, whilst watching a DVD where the player screen was facing forward to the driver.

As skilled drivers we must always remember the word COAST
 
                 C -- Concentration

                 O -- Observation

                 A  -- Anticipation

                 S --  Space

                 T   -- Time

CONCENTRATION  is the KEY word in todays modern motoring,  and that's looking where we are going, gaining a BIG PICTURE, Scanning, watching what other drivers are doing.. ( not checking the laptop screen ) and of course always checking behind, people do travel much too close..

As regards SPACE if you are driving leaving no space around you this is where the ACCIDENT will occur

                NO SPACE  = CRASH

Dont forget at 30mph you are travelling 44 feet per second, the crash will occur within your thinking distance

and this is not the time to deal with all the hi tech in the vehicle...

Drivers cannot afford to take the eyes off the road...


A WARNING TO COMPANY MANGERS...

You must have a policy in place... get your drivers to sign a letter to say YOU WILL NOT RING them in the Vehicle whilst they are driving,  and you DO NOT WANT them to ring whilst they are driving.

How do you speak to their Wife, Partners when their loved ones were killed when they crashed as you were giving details over the phone to them.

The Police can check back the last call into the vehicle, remember the Corporate Manslaughter rules.

This must NOW also include to NOT SEND E-MAILS...

Make your Drivers to receive calls by voice mail, leave the phone off while driving.

Also tell them if they stop to answer a call make sure they SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE and most of all TAKE THE KEY OUT of the IGNITION, YES you will still be fined if the key is in the ignition... £60 pound three points on licence.

DO NOT PERMIT OR CAUSE DRIVERS to use a Phone in the vehicle, yes HANDS FREE are very dangerous you can not concentrate, and drive at the same time, you will be involved the message coming over the phone.
 
It all comes down to driving without due care and attention...

NHS Norfolk is proud to launch Start4Life in the county - encouraging mothers and their babies to better health.

Start4Life is part of the government's Change4Life initiative, aimed at inspiring everyone to be more active and eat more healthily.

Start4Life will be launched alongside the East of England breastfeeding framework - a strategic document which sets out how NHS Norfolk and its partners will encourage more mothers to breastfeed - at Dereham Children's Centre on Monday 21 June from 10am to 12 noon.

The event will be attended by various health and social care professionals, as well as two breastfeeding mums, and all media are invited.

Jonathan Williams, Assistant Director of Public Health, will be championing the Start4Life initiative for NHS Norfolk.

He said: "It is never too early to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and Start4Life encourages this from birth onwards. It is a philosophy that NHS Norfolk is proud to promote.

"Start4Life offers a wide range of advice for new parents, and parents to be, in order for them to give their babies the best possible start in life. NHS Norfolk will endeavour to spread its message for healthy living."

Tips for new parents include:

* Why mum's milk is better for mum and baby
* Every day counts - why every day of mother's milk can make a difference to health
* No rush to mush - how to tell when your baby is ready for solid food
* Taste for life - why a variety of food for your youngster now could prevent fussy eating later in life
* Sweet as they are - how to avoid giving your baby a sweet tooth
* Baby moves - why it's important for your baby to be active

Jonathan Williams added: "It is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Research has shown that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to remain so as adults, putting themselves at risk of a range of health problems.

"By following the Start4Life philosophy now, parents are giving their babies a headstart to a healthier life in the future."

For more details on Start4Life visit: www.nhs.uk/start4life

Fantastic 2 for 1 offer at the Marina Theatre WAITING FOR GATEAUX

Fed up with the World Cup already? 

Prefer cake to football or just enjoy a good laugh? 

Norwich City Net and Waveney Valley Blog has teamed up with the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft to offer our followers two seats for the price of one on next weeks comedy Waiting For Gateaux - Starring former Emmerdale actress and host of You've Been Framed, Lisa Riley. 


Just print this page and take to the theatre box office or quote Waveney Valley Blog 241 by telephone and receive one free ticket for every full priced seat purchased!*

Set in a run-down village hall, WAITING FOR GATEAUX follows the members of failing slimming club - 'Mo-tivators' - whose only agenda is to meet friends, have a gossip and eat cake!  As they struggle to shed the pounds in anticipation of appearing in a new reality TV-show, their showbiz aspirations are thwarted when they fail to resist the temptations of fast-food and media executive, Sophie, reveals she has an ulterior motive.

What follows is a parodic siege of visual comedy spliced with traces of Reservoir Dogs, The Great Escape and Dad's Army!

Building on the comedy traditions of the late Ayckbourne and Godber, Waugh and Wood are remorseless in their pursuit of laughs, and the gags fall thick and fast in this unmissable comedy about friendship, frostbite and French fries.

*Regretfully as this is a late availability offer it is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or concession of for seats already purchased. Subject to availability.

As Diabetes Week continues until 19 June, NHS Norfolk is promoting a service in the county to support those with the disease.

A freephone helpline, manned by a group of diabetes patients who have been trained and mentored to act as patient advisors, can offer support to others in the same situation across the county.


Anyone in Central Norfolk who has diabetes is welcome to call the line on 0800 0320 087.

Our cases studies below and picture links (above) are of two people who volunteer to work on the helpline.

The area the phone line covers stretches from Cromer to Diss and Thetford to Fakenham, and since it was set up in 2005, it has taken hundreds of calls. Anyone from outside the Central Norfolk area who calls for advice is referred to a contact more local to them.

Volunteers are not trained to give emergency or medical advice, but can offer words of encouragement and support - because they've been in the same situation themselves.

Angela Young, Diabetes Network Manager for Central Norfolk, said: "It is working amazingly well. Quite often people want to speak to somebody who has got the condition, and learn that it's not the end of the world. We feel the helpline complements good clinical services."

Some 2,300 people in Norfolk are diagnosed with diabetes each year, yet thanks to lifestyle changes and/or medication, they can carry on with their normal lives.

In total, about 31,000 people in Norfolk (excluding Great Yarmouth and Waveney) have diabetes, and that number is constantly rising, as Dr Nigel Thomson can testify.

The GP, who is based at The Lawns Medical Practice in Diss, is also co-chair of the Diabetes Network for Central Norfolk.

He said: "In 2007, the prevalence of diabetes in Norfolk was 3.8 per cent across the county. It has a higher prevalence in the north and the west of the county, which may be because people live longer in those areas or may be due to other reasons.

"In my own practice the prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly - rising from 3.8 per cent to 4.6 per cent within two years."

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is less common, and makes up about 10 per cent of all diabetes cases nationally. It develops if the body cannot produce any insulin. This is a hormone which regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the cells of the body.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin does not work properly. It accounts for about 90 per cent of people with diabetes and is often linked with other conditions, such as obesity or high cholesterol.

Dr Thomson added: "Everyone is generally less active than they used to be, and we tend to do less manual work as a society now. The increase in Type 2 diabetes is due to a combination of less activity, possibly with greater availability of food and a resulting increase in obesity.

"But diabetes can be treated with diet, exercise, and medication. We have patients in their 90s with diabetes. It is not all doom and gloom - far from it."

Diabetes Week is organised by the Diabetes UK charity. For more details, visit www.diabetes.org.uk

For further information on diabetes visit NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk

Case study 1:
Annette Thompson, who is in her 50s, and lives near Acle, was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes six months after she was married - some 36 years ago.
"I was devastated. I thought life as I knew it would end, but it did not," she said. "Life goes on. Diabetes is something you learn to live with."

Annette currently injects herself with insulin five times a day, yet continues to live a normal life. She has travelled extensively, including Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and has played badminton and tennis competitively. Today she remains active, walking her dog and gardening, and is looking to return to playing tennis next year.

Annette became a volunteer for the telephone support line four years ago.
"I thought it was about time I gave something back to a system that has looked after me so well," she said. "Sometimes it's just good to chat to someone who has gone through it and understands what it's like to live with diabetes. Sometimes it's passing people to the right area to get them the help they need."

Her advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position is simple.
"Don't panic, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't take everything in during your first visit," she said.
"Chat to as many people as you can - it's reassuring."


Case Study 2:
Dave Rea, 56, of Norwich, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 12 years ago, during a routine health check.

When he saw an advert five years ago for the post of Patient Champion he jumped at the chance to offer support - and the benefit of his experience in living with the condition to others.

"I try to encourage people with diabetes to take a positive view," he said.
"My group of Patient Advisors use their many years of experience of living with diabetes to talk non-medical problems through with people."

Dave explained that, in addition to himself and Annette, about fourteen other people with diabetes man the phone line. They are of all ages, and so hopefully anyone who calls can be put in contact with an advisor who has experienced a similar situation to themselves.

Dave controls his diabetes through tablets and diet. He remains active through walking, and does everything he always used to. "I have got a bit of a can-do attitude. If you can it’s preferable to face up to the problem and sort it out as best you can," he said. "Some people do take diagnosis of diabetes and it’s ongoing problems very badly, and that's where we are able to talk to people and give them the reassurance that it's not the end of the world."

 

Slow Food Aylsham members and their guests paid a visit to Letheringsett Water Mill in mid June 2010 when Mike Thurlow, who with his wife Marion restored the mill to working order some 23 years ago, gave a guided tour and milling demonstration.
 
Letheringsett is the last remaining water mill in Norfolk to produce flour which can now be bought in many outlets across the county.  As one Slow Food member commented, traditional flour milling - a process which can't be hurried - in many ways reflects the ethos of the international Slow Food movement which seeks to promote an alternative to today's fast-food, fast-life culture.

The evening visit was a resounding success with all of the 16 visitors, thanks in no small part to a thoroughly entertaining and informative commentary by Mike Thurlow.

Slow Food is a not for profit, international membership organisation with over 100,000 members in 132 countries.  Slow Food Aylsham, a branch of Slow Food UK, was established in 2004.  There are more details at www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk

Shout for England Feat. Dizzee Rascal & James Corden Shout (c) (C) 2010 Simco Limited under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited

The Sainsbury Centre will be celebrating the launch of its major new exhibition unearthed, with a special Late Shift event on Wednesday 23 June from 6pm - 9pm. The exhibition, which features over 100 prehistoric figurines from the Balkans and Japan, has been the inspiration for the evening, which includes a puppetry workshop from Norwich Puppet Theatre, animations by students from Norwich University College of the Arts (NUCA), chance to see how clay figurines were fired in a primitive pit-fire and a showing of Screen Play by acclaimed director Barry Purves. Visitors will also be able to watch a demonstration of flint knapping by experts Val and John Lord who have been working with Culture of the Countryside, the Sainsbury Centre’s 3-year community outreach project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Admission to the event is free and includes chance to see the Centre’s new exhibitions, unearthed and Henry Moore Textiles.

The Late Shift is a regular event in the Sainsbury Centre’s busy programme, which offers established and regionally-based artists chance to perform.

“Our June Late Shift promises to be very exciting with an eclectic mix of contributions including music from Tom Conway and Cakes and Ale, workshops from Norwich Puppet Theatre, animations from NUCA students past and present, flint knapping demonstrations and more. We hope people will come along to see what’s happening, visit the new exhibitions or just soak up the atmosphere!” - Liz Ballard, Late Shift Co-ordinator.

The programme for the evening is closely linked to the unearthed exhibition.

“The puppetry and animations at the Late Shift will create new opportunities to experience the figurines in the exhibition, bringing them to life. We have used contemporary artwork in unearthed to stimulate fresh questions about how the miniature affects people’s perceptions - the puppetry and animations at the Late Shift will enrich this” - Andrew Cochrane, a curator of the unearthed exhibition.

BA Animation students and alumni from Norwich University College of the Arts will be showcasing their work and visitors will also be able to see an animation commissioned for the unearthed exhibition by artist Sarah Beare. The work which is entitled, Playing in Time, brings to life clay figurines made by artist Sue Maufe against a swirling backdrop of patterns similar to those used to decorate ancient Japanese ceramics. The film can also be seen on the Sainsbury Centre’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/TheSainsburyCentre).

A film by Barry Purves will also be shown at the event. Purves is an Oscar and BAFTA nominated director usually, but not exclusively, working with animation. He has animated on and directed many series’ for television such as The Wind in the Willows, Rupert Bear, and most recently, Bob the Builder. The film being shown at the Late Shift entitled Screen Play is a stop-animation based on the Willow Pattern Story. “There was also an extraordinary commercial based on the film - as it happens I believe it was only shown in the East Anglia region before it was withdrawn as the public thought the product, toilet duck, smelt terrible!” explains Barry Purves.

During the evening Norwich Puppet Theatre will be running a drop in workshop (6.30pm - 8pm). Visitors will be able to try their hand at making a pop-up puppet inspired by the figurines in the exhibition.


“The Puppet Theatre is delighted to be contributing to the Late Shift in June, giving people of all ages chance to learn more about puppetry as an art form and bringing to life the objects in the exhibition. We also hope to raise people’s awareness of the Theatre, which is 30 years old this year and has just been awarded an Arts Council grant for two new productions” - Ian Woods, General Manager, Norwich Puppet Theatre.

At the Late Shift event people will be able to see how ancient figurines were fired. Visitors are invited to join Sue Maufe in opening a primitive kiln and digging up the fired objects (outside the Centre, weather permitting). Maufe has been commissioned to make individualised biscuit-fired figurines as a ‘physical ticket’ for visitors to the exhibition, enabling them to experience the tactile quality of the ancient figures they will see on display (subject to availability). They will, should they wish, be able to break their figurine and add it to a heap of fragments in the gallery (reminiscent of the archaeological sites where figurines have been found).

The Late Shift will also be celebrating a chalk and flint project by the Sainsbury Centre’s community outreach project Culture of the Countryside. Visitors will be able to see a film about flints made as part of the project by Matthew Robinson, which includes footage from the East Anglian Film Archive, and will be able to enjoy a flint knapping demonstration by experts Val and John Lord. The couple began their prehistoric technology research projects in 1975, when they were engaged by the Department of the Environment (now English Heritage) to take custody of Grimes Graves, the Neolithic flint mining site at Lynford in Norfolk. They strove to master the art of flint knapping, and as they progressed, they willingly shared their newly gained knowledge with members of the public. John went on to become a professional flint knapper and his projects have included providing 160 tonnes of knapped flints for the wall that now surrounds the super-structure above the underground shopping mall at Norwich Castle.

Late Shift
Wednesday 23 June, 6pm - 9pm. Admission free and booking not required (includes entry to the special exhibitions). Puppet making workshop, drop in between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Grimes Graves also has a connection with unearthed. The exhibition includes the Grimes Graves Goddess, which is back in Norfolk for the first time since it was discovered in the 1930s.

The Grimes Graves Goddess
The Grimes Graves Goddess, on loan from the British Museum, is on public display for the first time in over 50 years. It was unearthed by A L Armstrong in Norfolk in 1939 and until the late 20th century was believed to have been 1 of only 3 human shaped objects dated to Neolithic Britain. In 1991 an investigation into the object was carried out by Gillian Varndell from the British Museum as part of a general reappraisal of the Grimes Graves material. Her findings suggest that the authenticity of the figurine is doubtful for a number of reasons: the excavation was never published; Armstrong's site notebook stopped abruptly on the day of the vital discovery and it was not recorded properly; most unusually, on the day of the find he had directed all other experienced excavators to leave the site; the figurine looked suspiciously freshly-carved, and Armstrong's team included an expert carver (similar objects made from the same chalk rock, such as an Egyptian sphinx, were among his possessions from the dig). Given that there is no known process to date chalk, it may never be conclusively proven. Gillian Varndell is an authority on the Grimes Graves excavations and will be speaking at the unearthed Study Day on 19 June.

The unearthed exhibition is also accompanied by a study day organised by Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures and the Sainsbury Centre which will be held at Norwich University College of the Arts on Saturday 19 June.

unearthed Study Day
The exhibition is accompanied by an exciting programme of academic and public events including artist-led workshops, family events and talks. A study day organised by Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures and the Sainsbury Centre and will be held at Norwich University College of the Arts on Saturday 19 June. For more information include the proposed programme for the day, visit the Centres website www.scva.ac.uk/whatson/specialevents/

unearthed Exhibition Dates, Times and Information
unearthed runs from Tuesday 22 June to Sunday 29 August 2010. NOTE NEW OPENING TIMES - The exhibition will be open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays including Bank Holiday Mondays), 10am to 5pm. Tel 01603 593199 www.scva.ac.uk

Combined Admission to unearthed and Henry Moore Textiles
£4, concessions £2
Family admission (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £8, concessions £8.

Sculpture for Norwich, a new charity established to promote public art and sculpture in greater Norwich, will be inaugurated at a special event in The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral on June 29th 2010. The event will be coupled with the launch of a public appeal for an initial £35,000 from local sources to help fund the charity’s first project: the commission of a sculpture to celebrate The Norwich School of Artists.

The charity, which has been formed out of The Norwich Society and Norfolk Contemporary Art Society (NCAS), has identified a site for its first commission on St-Martin-at-Palace Plain, with the help of Norwich City Council. The site is in front of the house where John Sell Cotman, one of the key members of The Norwich School of Artists, lived and exhibited his paintings.

The aim is to complete this initial commission for the Cultural Olympiad countrywide arts festival in 2012 and thus to form part of Norwich’s contribution. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is also planning events that year to celebrate the Norwich School of Artists as part of the ‘Great British Art Debate’.

Keith Pollard, Chairman of Sculpture for Norwich said: "Sculpture for Norwich has been founded to promote the commissioning and installation of sculpture of high quality in public places in and around the City of Norwich. It will also aim by a variety of means to encourage a wider appreciation in Norwich of the benefits of public sculpture. The prospect of Norwich becoming the first UK City of Culture in 2013 provides a splendid context for our ambitions and we wholeheartedly support the bid."

Isabel Vasseur, a major figure in the public art movement since the 1980s will be the key speaker at the launch event, attended by an invited audience, on June 29th. She has co-ordinated visual arts festivals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Gateshead, and was Senior Visual Arts Officer for the British Council. The topic of her lecture will be "Eyesore or Adornment, Memorials and Landmarks: an assessment of Public Art."

A website www.sculpturefornorwich.co.uk will be launched towards the end of June.

For more information about Sculpture for Norwich e-mail: sculpturefornorwich@googlemail.com or tel: 01603 743165.

Families have the chance to get in the saddle for a day of fun and fitness this summer. The Huff and Puff Cycle Challenge, on Sunday, June 27, is designed to suit all ages and abilities with varied cycling distances, beginning and ending at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, near Weybourne in Norfolk.

Entrants will have the chance to complete rides of 25, 50 or 100 miles following quiet lane routes based on the Norfolk Coast Cycleway.

The challenge is being organised by Huff and Puff Cycles, who have operated the cycle hire outlet at Kelling Heath Holiday Park for the past seven years.

The 25 mile ride is a come and try it event for less experienced riders, taking in the village of Binham, which is famous for its historic priory. The 50 mile ride will take in the grounds of Holkham Hall, while the 100 mile challenge will head for the popular coastal resort of Hunstanton.

There will be a support team on hand to fix any bicycle problems, comfort facilities at Binham, Holkham Hall and Hunstanton and free showers when the cyclists return.

There will be afternoon entertainment at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, for relaxing after the cycle ride and the award winning park is offering accommodation and camping deals for those wanting to make a weekend of the event.

Entries booked in advance cost £15 per person for the 50 and 100 mile events, and £10 for the 25 mile. Booking details can be downloaded from www.cyclenorfolk.co.uk - or call the organiser Sam Weller on 01263 734558.

Collections are to be taken on the day for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Norfolk Community First (Medical) Responder. £1 from each entry will also go to these charities.

To book accommodation contact Kelling Heath Holiday Park on 01263 588181 or visit www.kellingheath.co.uk

Arthur Melbourne Cooper's silent animation showing a boy's dream of his toys coming to life uses a live action framing device for the dream sequence which uses stop motion techniques to animate a child's toys.

For more information on this film visit http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/i...

Any parent knows that when their child is ill they want the right medical help fast.

Now NHS Norfolk has brought together doctors, nurses, parents and the staff who commission health services to begin a major review of the best way to provide the right help and information.

Under the spotlight are a range of common medical conditions which children are susceptible to, such as coughs and colds, tummy upsets, wheezes and temperatures.

The aim is twofold: To make sure parents receive correct and consistent information on how to treat their young one and also to make sure medical staff throughout Norfolk are consistent in the treatment they provide.

A major conference has just been held in Norfolk at which doctors, nurses, consultants, national experts and the people who commission healthcare for the county came together to share their ideas.

NHS Norfolk's Commissioning Manager for Children's Services, Helen Jackson said: "We know how worrying it is for parents when their child becomes ill.

"We also know that unless they are confident that they have the correct advice and information to support them they might feel they have no alternative than to drive in the middle of the night to a hospital or call an Out of Hours GP which can be both unnecessary and frightening for them.

"This is why we have called together experts in the health system to conduct a very extensive review of the care we provide, the consistency of care we provide and the information we give to parents."

The review is expected to lead to very clear guidance for parents on what to do if their child has one of the common ailments. In most cases parents will be given the support and reassurance they need to treat their child at home, following the national Choose Well initiative.

However if they do need to ask for assistance from a medical expert, NHS Norfolk wants to ensure GPs across the county have a consistent "pathway" to follow with very detailed clinical guidance to help them manage the condition.

One common illness which the experts will look at is gastroenteritis - diarrhea and vomiting. It is usually mild - certainly unpleasant and distressing - but it normally does not last long or cause serious problems.

However a small number of children can become dehydrated and as a result, about 1.5% of all childhood cases of gastroenteritis in England will require hospital treatment.

In many cases, clearer and consistence guidance to parents will help prevent children from spiralling into dehydration and reduce their distress.

If the child does need medical assistance then, for example, every GP would have exactly the same, up to date and very detailed clinical guidelines to ensure the cases is managed in the most appropriate way.

Helen Jackson said: "Anything which can be done to help parents and clinicians manage a condition without the need to be admitted will mean a speedier recovery and minimise distress.

"We want to learn from best practice across the country. We shall want to talk in great detail to clinicians, parents and young people and make sure the care we provide meets their needs."

The review and ongoing development is being carried out with the support of the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

NHS Norfolk is hoping that implementing new initiatives will take place later this year.
 

This video clip was taken along side one of my photographic projects, all clips were taken with a Canon 7D DSLR and a Canon 500mm Lens landscapes (24-105mm).

For a high res image go to: www.wildaboutimages.co.uk

© Paul Bunyard

Active Norfolk would like to invite villages across the county to assemble squads of players to compete in different sports varying from Archery, 5-a-side Football, Carpet Bowls, Netball, Table-Tennis, Rounders, Badminton, and Tug Of War at the Norfolk Village Games.

People of all ages are invited to take part. Villages will be offered taster sessions in a variety of sports at their very own Sports Roadshow. These Roadshows will visit various parts of the county throughout the summer months in the build up to the Norfolk Village Games in September.

We are appealing to volunteers to register their interest as Village Team Captains by visiting www.activenorfolk.org/villagegames. We are looking to sports clubs, parish councils, local business’s and community groups to work together in order to provide representation from their area, and battle it out against other villages from across the county.

For more information and to register your interest visit www.activenorfolk.org/villagegames or call Ellen Vanlint on 01603 697008.

Giginthepark, fast becoming East Anglia’s number one festival and now in its 12th year has put together another bumper collection of headline acts for this years event.
Held in Halesworth’s Town Park over the weekend of 6/8th August this years event will be headlined by punk legends The Undertones.

Formed in 1978 and championed by the late John Peel they have had hits with the anthem Teenage Kicks, My perfect cousin and Jimmy Jimmy amongst others. They are still in demand as a touring act and are bound to be a big draw for this years festival.

Lee Vasey and his big band make a welcome return to round of the proceedings on Sunday night bringing the soundtrack of your life from the last three decades to get the park dancing.

Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging members of the public to take advantage of the valuable services provided by Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS). The services are being promoted during PALS Awareness week, which runs from June 14 - June 18.

PALS is a completely confidential service to help patients, carers and members of the public who need advice, have concerns or are not sure where to turn for help.

The service:
- Advises and supports patients, their families and carers
- Provides information on NHS services
- Listens to your concerns and suggestions
- Helps sort out problems quickly on your behalf

The Trust PALS team will be at the following local events from 10am - 3pm each day:

Monday 14 June - The Forum, Norwich
Tuesday 15 June - Community Centre, Fakenham
Wednesday 16 June - The Lawns Hotel, Holt
Thursday 17 June - Abbey Hall, Wymondham
Friday 18 June - Community Centre, North Walsham


Michael Lozano, Norfolk & Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust PALS Manager, said: “The PALS team is here to help members of the public on a range of subjects. We can help you find a local service, offer advice if you have a problem or need help to resolve an issue. I encourage people to use PALS because it can help you make the most of the local NHS provisions in your area.”

Sarah Boulton, Chair of NHS East of England, said: “I am delighted that PALS teams across the region are building on the success of last years PALS Awareness week. PALS have a vital role to play in supporting members of the public with a good patient experience. Our regional ambition is to provide the best health service in the country, and to do so we need to get the patient experience right.

"PALS are often the first port of call for people who have queries, worries or concerns about the services they receive. PALS teams are highly professional people who reflect the values of the NHS Constitution extremely well.”

Do you want to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and learn more about exercise and nutrition, but are not sure where to begin?

Then Life 4 Life could be just what you are looking for...

Coordinated by Paul Wilson and the Norfolk Life team at the Great Yarmouth Community Trust, the programme is run in partnership with NHS Norfolk, and all Norfolk adults who are overweight are welcome to join.

If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25-30, or a waist measurement of more than 37-40in for men, and about 31-34in for women, Life 4 Life is here to help.

The team can work out your BMI if you're unsure of it, and will then join you up to the Life 4 Life programme, or advise you on what other services you can access. All participants must be aged 18 and over.

LIFE stands for Lifestyle, Improvements, Food and Exercise, and the sessions are delivered to groups of 12-15 adults. Booking is essential.

There are currently Life 4 Life trainers in Great Yarmouth, Thetford, Norwich, Diss, Reepham and Holt, and the list of venues is set to increase.

Paul said: "Life 4 Life gives people the knowledge and skills to begin their healthier lifestyle - and stick to it! Sessions are designed to be interactive, interesting and fun. They will be held in local, accessible locations."

The four-week programme consists of a two-hour session each week, covering nutrition and exercise theory. It has been written by exercise and nutrition specialists, and is delivered by qualified Life 4 Life trainers.

Topics covered include metabolism, food labelling, food groups, benefits of exercise, goal setting, barriers to exercise - and more.

Lucy Macleod, NHS Norfolk's Consultant in Public Health, said: "In Norfolk, on average, more than a quarter - 26.85% - of all adults are obese.

"We are commissioning Life 4 Life as a preventative service to help overweight adults avoid obesity, and would urge those interested to contact Life 4 Life today."

To find out more about Life 4 Life, call freephone 0800 023 4798 or visit www.priorycentre.co.uk/nutrition