The magazine from Baywater Healthcare, for our patients and their carers SUNSHINE

Transcription

1 The magazine from Baywater Healthcare, for our patients and their carers SUNSHINE UK EDITION SPRING/SUMMER 2014

2 Welcome This time of the year is fantastic - the warmer weather means that more of us can take in some fresh air by going on day trips, taking a holiday or just getting out into the garden. Jay Shingler In this issue we look at holiday destinations in the West Midlands and we also have some information about arranging holiday oxygen - anywhere in the UK. If you are going out - whether for the day or for longer - please make sure you have enough oxygen so you can take your time and enjoy the sunshine! Also in this issue we have some important safety advice about smoking whilst using oxygen, information about Fire Safety Checks and the answers to some frequently asked questions about our electricity refunds. As usual there s also our word search, a recipe for tasty Chicken Tikka skewers, and our fun kids zone. IMPORTANT INFORMATION If you have to leave your oxygen cylinders unattended in your car please move them to the boot of your vehicle out of view to prevent them being stolen. When putting cylinders out for collection, ensure they are not visible and therefore not inappropriately taken by scrap metal collectors. When travelling, ensure that your cylinders are secured safely in the boot of the vehicle, or on the back seat with a firm fastening. Never transport cylinders in the front passenger seat

3 Fire safety checks Info for YORKSHIRE, HUMBERSIDE AND WEST MIDLANDS patients When you ve had your oxygen installed, we will pass your details onto the Fire Service in your area. The Fire Service will then be in touch with you to arrange a free Fire Safety Check. This involves a Fire Officer coming to see you at home, risk assessing the property, and may involve the installation of smoke alarms and other fire prevention measures. Info for WALES patients On installation of your oxygen, your Baywater Healthcare engineer may complete a Fire Safety Check including a risk assessment on the property, and the possible installation of smoke alarms and other fire prevention measures. If our engineer does not complete the Fire Safety Check, your details will be passed to the Fire Service in your area. They will then contact you to complete the Fire Safety Check. For more information, please visit:

4 Holidays in the West Midlands The West Midlands is an engaging holiday destination, whether you prefer to see the sights, shop or take it easy. Leamington Spa features wide boulevards and historic Georgian and Edwardian architecture. Attractions include Jephson Gardens, the iconic All Saints Church, and The Royal Pump Rooms, a grade II listed former spa bath house revamped to include an art gallery and museum. Contact the Tourist Information Centre on Birmingham is packed with things to do find entertainment at Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Hippodrome, or The Electric the UK s oldest working cinema. Did you know? Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice and the Birmingham Canal Navigation is the world s largest canal system. Other attractions include the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, and the RAF Museum at Cosford. Contact Visit Birmingham on

5 Stratford-Upon-Avon s attractions include the cottage where William Shakespeare was born, his wife Anne Hathaway s cottage, and Holy Trinity Church where the couple are buried. The town is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Europe s largest butterfly farm! Contact the Visitor Information Centre on Coventry possesses such diverse attractions as the Music, Air and Transport Museums, Coombe Abbey Country Park, and Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed in the blitz and remains in poignant ruin as a garden of remembrance to this day. Contact the Visitor Information Centre on Summer bank holiday dates Summer is almost here! Hopefully you re planning a get-away in the sun, but even if you just want to stay at home and enjoy the warm weather, you need to know a few dates to help you manage your oxygen supply and avoid any last minute panics: Mon 19 th August Last guaranteed bank holiday order date Mon 26 th August Emergency calls only Tues 27 th August Normal service

6 The Dangers of Smoking with Oxygen Do not smoke while using your oxygen. Do not use electronic cigarettes while on oxygen. Oxygen by itself is not flammable, but it can cause other materials to ignite more easily and to burn far more fiercely. Smoking while using oxygen can cause the cigarette to burst into flame and can cause burns to your face and body. People smoking Ensure people smoking stay at least 3 metres (10 ft) away from you. If your friends or family members smoke, they must not smoke around you while you are using your oxygen. This is just as hazardous as if you yourself were smoking. If you use portable oxygen, be aware of people smoking near you. Please move away if you feel uncomfortable or in danger. The figures Smoking whilst using oxygen is dangerous. In 2013 we registered: 137 smoking incidents 61 of these patients required medical treatment Unfortunately, three patients died due to fires caused by smoking whilst using oxygen. These incidents not only endangered the patients lives, but those of their family, friends and neighbours too. Some of the patients were rendered homeless, or lost all of their possessions

7 The facts Make sure your cylinder or concentrator is turned off when you take off your mask or cannula If you are a smoker, remember to wait 20 minutes after using your oxygen before lighting a cigarette Placing cannula or a mask on soft furnishings whilst the oxygen is still coming through causes your clothing, sofa, blanket or bedding to absorb oxygen, making it more likely to catch fire for up to 20 minutes Fire can quickly become out of control... Keep all grease, oil and petroleum products and flammable materials away from your oxygen equipment. Flammable products such as alcohol should not be used to clean oxygen equipment. Petroleum products such as lip balm or vapour rub should not be applied to your skin when using oxygen Other flame and heat sources to be aware of include: gas stoves, hobs and ovens, gas heating, birthday candles, scented candles and incense, patio heaters and barbecues. Also, be careful with electric heaters and lighting. The recommended distance for oxygen equipment from open flames is 3m (10ft); from closed fires and heat sources is 1.5m (5ft)

8 Competition Put your creative skills to the test and help to draw Oliver Owl. We ve started the picture, but can you finish it off? Send us your entry, the winner gets a mega art set! Name:... Address: Post code:... Send to: Kids Zone Competition Baywater Healthcare 2 Millennium Gate Westmere Drive Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6XB Closing date: 31/7/

9 Did you know? You can tell if an egg is a good one or a bad one by placing it in a bowl of water! If your egg floats on the top it s a bad one! Just for fun! If your egg stays on the bottom it s a good one Did you know a slug has 4 noses! A strawberry isn t actually a berry, but a banana is! On these two pages we have hidden three little puppies. Can you spot them all? Where do fish keep their money..? In a river bank! What gets wetter the more it dries? A towel! What do you get when you cross a fish and an elephant? Swimming trunks!

10 Competition Closing date - 31st July 2014 W O R D S J L I Z L D O Y N S S R E A S E S S A L G N U S H I D N Y M B J W L A M H S O A I D X A I A V A M B P Z R H S C K M D N R E O O H I T C A A I V X I R B L G X C S K E S S X R T L F E S D E A C S T F G I P P O A C I C S E C L B M Q I W P H Z U R D D B E E U L S U N S C R E E N Q K I F S U N B U R N A C J S I M K I H N U B A X M G W W Q S X V P E O D N L X O V W E D A N O M E L O L I L Q P For a chance to win a 50 gift voucher, complete the word search and return to: Simon Preece, Baywater Healthcare 2 Millennium Gate, Westmere Drive Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6XB Name:... Telephone:... Address: Postcode:... S E A R C H BARBECUE BEACHBALL DECKCHAIR FLIPFLOPS HOLIDAY ICECREAM LEMONADE LILO SANDCASTLE SEASIDE SHORTS SUMMERTIME SUNBURN SUNGLASSES SUNSCREEN Previous winner Congratulations to Mrs D from Doncaster who won our wordsearch competition in the last issue of Sunshine

11 Electricity FAQs What do we refund? We will refund you for the electricity used by your oxygen concentrator at the standard rate for your provider in your region. We do not refund your entire bill or any standing charges. How do you know my electricity tariff/rate? We are required to refund at a non-negotiable standard rate for your provider which equates to Tier 2 rate on your bill. When will I receive my payments? You should receive four payments a year, one every quarter: One based on your actual meter reading The next based on your historical usage The next based on your actual meter reading, and so on. We will also send you a statement letter with each payment, along with your Sunshine magazine. How do you know how much my concentrator has been used? Your concentrator has a meter counting the number of hours it has been running. We will read this meter when your machine is serviced. How is my refund calculated? Number of hours your concentrator has been used X The amount of power your type of concentrator uses X Your electricity supplier s standard rate for your region

12 Arranging Holiday Oxygen We can take all of the stress out of ordering oxygen for your holiday anywhere in the UK. A simple phone call to us on giving us a few basic details will set you well on the way: Patient name Holiday start and finish dates Holiday delivery/collection address Oxygen equipment needs while on holiday (are they the same, or different from your home order?). If you are visiting Wales, Yorkshire, Humberside or the West Midlands we will look after all aspects of your service. For other areas we will pass on your details to another supplier who should contact you. Example one: Gladys has been invited to stay with her daughter in Sheffield. She needs the same oxygen equipment for her stay as what she has at home. Solution: Gladys simply needs to call us and give us the details of her holiday as this is an area we cover, we will then arrange to deliver equipment to her daughter s house. Example two: John wishes to stay at a static caravan in Scotland. His oxygen requirements have not changed since his prescription was last sent to us. Solution: John simply needs to call and give us the details of his holiday. As we do not supply oxygen in Scotland, we will pass his details on to the oxygen supplier in that area, who will then arrange the holiday oxygen

13 You and your oxygen equipment Leaving home Whether you are leaving home with your oxygen equipment to go out for the day or just for a few hours, here are some key things to remember: Always make sure you have enough oxygen to last Add your travel time to the time of your outing plus some spare for traffic jams etc Turn your oxygen off when you visit a fuel station Be aware of others smoking outside public places and try to keep your oxygen clear of such situations Keep all oxygen equipment away from naked flames such as gas cookers, open fires and candles. Have you been to hospital recently? If you have been in an ambulance or into hospital recently you may have been given some new oxygen tubing or a mask that you are now using at home. This equipment is likely to be different to what we provide and, although it may work well, it is advisable to contact our homecare helpline on and request some replacements. Alternatively, if you have been given a mask or cannulae from a hospital, check with your engineer that it is correct type and is suitable for the flow rate you have been prescribed

14 Barbecue safety To barbecue safely and avoid injuries, follow these simple tips: If you re using your oxygen, you must not stand within three metres (10 feet) of an open flame. This includes barbecues Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuel, on cold coals Do not use a barbecue in an enclosed space, and never take a smouldering or lit barbecue into a tent, caravan or cabin carbon monoxide fumes can be deadly After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it; empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into the bin Make sure your barbecue site is flat and away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs Keep children and pets away from the cooking area Keep a bucket of water or sand, or a garden hose nearby, in case of emergencies. Additional tips for gas barbecues: Take particular care when turning bottled-gas barbecues on and off Make sure the tap is off before changing the gas cylinder Change cylinders in the open air if possible or open doors and windows to ensure good ventilation When you ve finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls this ensures that any gas in the pipeline is used up. REMEMBER: YOU SHOULD NEVER OPERATE OR STAND NEAR TO A BARBECUE WHILE USING OXYGEN

15 Flexibility The three main areas of exercise are balance, flexibility and strength. Good flexibility gives you more freedom of movement, making everyday tasks easier. Here are a couple of stretching exercises that you can try to help you to improve your flexibility, always warm up first to minimise any risk of injury; a light walk is usually a good way. The back: you will need a chair, ideally with arms for this one Sit up, keeping your back straight, towards the front of a chair. Face forward and put your feet, shoulder width apart, on the floor Keeping your hips still, twist your body to the right from the waist and turn your head to the right. If necessary, hold onto the arm of the chair with your right hand Twist as far as you feel comfortable, bearing in mind that you should feel a slight stretching sensation. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds Relax, face forward, repeat the stretch on the other side Repeat the above steps three times. The neck: you can do this stretch standing or sitting Put your feet on the floor, shoulder width apart with your arms down by your side. Slowly turn your head to the right until you feel the stretch, trying not to tip your head forwards or backwards. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds Turn your head to the left and complete the stretch again Repeat the above steps three times. Remember: have a chat with your healthcare professional before exercising

16 Chicken Tikka skewers Serves 4 Prep 20mins, Cook 20mins Calories: 416 calories per serving Ingredients: 150g pot low-fat natural yogurt 2 tbsp hot curry paste 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 250g pack cherry tomatoes 4 wholemeal chapatis, warmed, to serve. For the cucumber salad: ½ cucumber, halved lengthways, de-seeded and sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced handful chopped coriander leaves juice 1 lemon 50g pack lamb s lettuces or pea shoots. Method: Put 8 wooden skewers in a bowl of water to soak. Mix the yogurt and curry paste together in a bowl, then add the chicken (if you have time, marinate for an hour or so). In a large separate bowl, toss together the cucumber, red onion, coriander and lemon juice. Chill until ready to serve. Shake off any excess marinade, then thread the chicken pieces and cherry tomatoes onto the pre-soaked skewers. Cook under a medium grill for mins, turning from time to time, until cooked through and nicely browned. Stir the lettuce or pea shoots into the salad, then divide between 4 plates. Top each serving with 2 chicken tikka skewers and serve with the warm chapatis