Safety Advice How to avoid slips, trips and falls. Have your say Complete our short survey at the back of this issue

Transcription

1 Autumn/Winter Issue 31 Safety Advice How to avoid slips, trips and falls Have your say Complete our short survey at the back of this issue Pulmonary Rehabilitation Get the facts Baywater Healthcare s Magazine for oxygen users and their carers

2 Welcome Hello Everyone! As the nights get darker and our thoughts turn to Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas we have some hints and tips on keeping safe during the festivities. Other interesting articles in this issue are helping you to avoid slips, trips and falls, introducing our new dexterity aid, explaining the statement you receive with your electricity refund, important dates this winter and more. We would also like to hear what you think about our services so we have a questionnaire on the back of this issue for you to send us your comments in the envelope enclosed. We would like to wish you a safe and comfortable winter. The Baywater Team Dates There are a number of key dates that are worth remembering over the festive season when you re thinking of ordering your oxygen. If you are going away and you need oxygen supplied to your destination you need to arrange your order at least 2 weeks before you travel. Christmas Last guaranteed order date 5pm on Thursday 21 st Dec 2017 Open for emergencies only Saturday 23 rd - Tuesday 26 th Dec 2017 inclusive New Year Last guaranteed order date 5pm on Thursday 28 th Dec 2017 Open for emergencies only Monday 1 st Jan Healthcare Helpline: Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm

3 This addition to our website reflects our commitment to accessibility; our aim is inclusion for all. Browsealoud We re delighted to announce that we ve added speech, reading and translation support to our website with Browsealoud. This innovative tool helps the millions of people out there who find it difficult to access and understand information online. Browsealoud works by reading our website content out loud in a really natural sounding voice. It can translate our web pages into 99 languages and read the content aloud in 40 of the most commonly spoken languages in the world. Browsealoud magnifies, enlarges and reads text out loud by converting it into an audio file Browsealoud removes clutter allowing you to just see the main text Browsealoud also has a tinted screen mask to block distractions You can customise your options to suit your individual needs Browsealoud is accessed from an easy-to-use floating toolbar, which is revealed by clicking the icon pictured above. The toolbar can be moved to anywhere on your screen. (open 24 hours per day 7 days per week for emergency calls) 3

4 Slips, Trips and Falls After fire and smoking, slips, trips and falls are the second biggest cause of incidents when using oxygen. Your tubing can only be kept at a minimum, we cannot eliminate it. It can be frustrating trying to manoeuvre around your home with oxygen tubing, however, be sure to exercise some care as to where the pipe is at any given time. You can take certain measures to avoid any incidents regarding your oxygen tubing: Ensure that your tubing is out of the way of feet and ankles. Take your time when moving around, especially near/on the stairs. NEVER extend the tubing yourself. How can Baywater Healthcare help to avoid incidents? These simple steps and precautions will help to prevent injuries Swivel connectors can be used in your tubing. These prevent the tubing from tangling as much. We can provide bright green tubing, as this is more visible than clear tubing. Our Healthcare Technicians can install piping throughout your home. This would be safer and more efficient when moving from room to room. 4 Healthcare Helpline: Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm

5 Fire Safety During The Holidays Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, the festive holidays are fast approaching! This is an exciting time for all ages. As much as we love this time of year, for oxygen users the risk of incidents happening increases during the winter months. We have some helpful advice to enjoy these holidays safely. Open Fires/Bonfires Adults and children using oxygen must keep at least 3m (10ft) from bonfires. Do not attempt to light a home bonfire. Oxygen users must keep 3m (10ft) from lit sparklers. Ensure that any oxygen supply is turned off for at least 20 minutes before a sparkler is held by an adult or child who uses oxygen. Be aware of anyone who might have lit a sparkler and maintain a safe distance. Oxygen users must not light fireworks. Christmas Do not use oxygen whilst cooking Christmas dinner on gas stoves, hobs and ovens. Gas heaters are an open flame, and should not be used with 3m of an oxygen supply. Be careful around candles in your home. (open 24 hours per day 7 days per week for emergency calls) 5

6 Pulmonary Rehabilitation Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program of exercise, education, and support to help you learn to breathe, function and manage your symptoms effectivly. Is it safe for Cardio Vascular Disease patients to exercise? Yes! The benefits far out-weigh the risk. So, what are the benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation? Improved quality of life. Increase your ability to exercise. Improve your general fitness and help you to cope better with feeling out of breath. An excellent platform to socialise and meet new people. 6 Healthcare Helpline: Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm

7 How to get Pulmonary Rehabilitation The first step is to ask your GP to be referred to your local programme. You can also ask your practice nurse, your respiratory team or chest clinic. Pulmonary Rehabilitation should be available across the UK, but some programmes will have waiting lists, so the sooner you act, the sooner you start. Points to remember Pulmonary Rehabilitation is not a cure, but you will feel better and more in control of your condition. Pulmonary Rehabilitation combines a physical exercise programme with advice on lung health to enable you to find the right level of exercise for you and help you understand and better manage your condition. Enjoy the programme! After you have completed the course, remember to stay active, exercise regularly and use the techniques that you have learned. (open 24 hours per day 7 days per week for emergency calls) 7

8 Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are fast becoming an attractive alternative to University for young people, as the earn while you learn way of applying your skills can put you on the path to a successful career. At Baywater Healthcare we are always looking for enthusiastic, motivated and hard-working individuals to join our growing team. Just like Tom, who is an apprentice at one of Baywater Healthcare s many workshops I believe that it was the right choice for me since I weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of the Uni route and in my opinion I believe the apprenticeship was the way forward. Tom talks of how working for Baywater as an apprentice has helped in his development very highly, It has helped me develop team working skills by having the opportunity to work alongside friendly and supportive colleagues. Tom finds that learning new skills, achieving goals and working in a friendly environment has helped him to enjoy his challenging but rewarding apprentice role. When asked what piece of advice he would give to someone considering an apprenticeship, Tom advises to weigh up your options and if the apprenticeship is right for you then listen, learn and most of all enjoy it. Good luck Tom and keep up the good work! If this sounds like something that would interest you or a member of your family, head over to the Baywater Healthcare careers page at to view our current vacancies and to register with us today. Should a suitable role arise, we will contact you! 8 Healthcare Helpline: Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm

9 Looking Good For Party Season With Oxygen It s party time! The upcoming months are a brilliant excuse to go out with your friends and over indulge with family. However, it is important that when getting ready to look your best that you take some precautions. When styling your hair, ensure that you do not operate appliances such as Curling Tongs whilst using your oxygen. These products can get very hot, so this heat source is a danger. Be sure to use water-based lubricants when treating dry skin and irritation that may come from your cannula, such as KY Jelly. Avoid petroleum-based products such as Vaseline, as these products are dangerous when combined with oxygen. DO NOT SMOKE WHILST USING OXYGEN. The cold winter months affect everyone, especially COPD and asthma patients. When you are outside make sure that you dress for the weather - scarf, hat and a big coat are essential! Enjoy this wonderful time of year! (open 24 hours per day 7 days per week for emergency calls) 9

10 Electricity Refund However Do you use a concentrator machine as part of your home oxygen therapy? Did you know Baywater Healthcare will reimburse you for any electricity your machine uses at the standard rate for the electricity provider in that region. We do not refund your entire electricity bill. Key Points You should receive four payments per year, one every quarter The first payment is based on the actual reading taken from the meter during the concentrator service The next is based upon the machines usage that we have recorded in the past The third payment is based on the actual reading taken from the meter in the concentrator machine And the cycle continues It is important that you notify us if you change your electricity company. 10 Healthcare Helpline: Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm

11 We Would Love To Hear From You Your views help to shape our service We are always looking for ways to develop and the best way for us to do this is to listen to your opinions on what we get right or where you think we could improve. Please answer below, and return this page to us for free, by cutting it out and popping it into the freepost envelope included. 1. After instruction from the Healthcare Technician on how to use your oxygen how confident do you feel in using it? o Very confident o Not confident o A little unsure o I need to be instructed again 2. When I contact the Healthcare Helpline I feel that the operator understands my needs o Strongly agree o Disagree o Agree o Strongly disagree 3. How likely are you to recommend Baywater Healthcare s Home Oxygen Service to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment? o Very likely o Likely o Unlikely o Very unlikely 4. Can you tell us why you gave the response to question 3? Region you live in: o West Midlands o Yorkshire and Humberside o Wales Name (optional):... (open 24 hours per day 7 days per week for emergency calls) 11

12 Sunshine Magazine The magazine for oxygen users and their carers Issue 31 - Autumn/Winter 2017 Baywater Healthcare 2 Millennium Gate, Westmere Drive Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6XB