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Kemptown MP promoted to Secretary of State for Health’s team

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has been promoted to the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Health as part of the Ministerial reshuffle.

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

Simon has taken a close interest in health-related issues as Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS and recently successfully campaigned for £420 million in funding for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital, located in his constituency.

Simon is also involved with a number of medical organisations, including as a patron of the Sussex ME society and a supporter of the Sussex Beacon.

Simon said: “The NHS is incredibly important to me, as it is to many of my constituents. That is why I was delighted to accept the offer to be part of the team assisting the Secretary of State, working hard to make the NHS even better for patients.

“I am absolutely committed to the founding principles of the NHS, namely that care is free at the point of use based on need, not on the ability to pay. I know from my campaign to improve the Royal Sussex that the Secretary of State shares this passion for the NHS and I look forward to working with him going forward to improve services for patients and staff alike.

“I am particularly pleased that this position will allow me to keep a close eye on the progress of hospital redevelopment here in Brighton and to continue to be a strong voice for our hospital, which is very close to my heart, having fought so hard to make it a reality.”

Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, added: “Throughout Simon’s tireless campaign for the new hospital in Brighton I was struck by his clear commitment and dedication to the NHS and to improving health services for his constituents. It clearly reflects the Government’s own priorities and I look forward to working closely with Simon going forward.”

John Bercow MP welcomes athletes to Commonwealth Games

The Speaker of the House of Commons highlights discrimination against LGBT athletes across the Commonwealth.

Rt Hon John Bercow MP
Rt Hon John Bercow MP

The Rt Hon John Bercow MP welcomed competitors from across the Commonwealth to the Games in Glasgow today in advance of the opening ceremony on Wednesday 23 July and wished the organisers a successful Games.

He said: “I would like to offer the warmest welcome to the athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It is a fantastic sporting occasion, which I hope will be well supported, and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the Commonwealth.”

Mr Bercow, a keen sports player, recently published a book about male tennis players. He is a football and tennis enthusiast and an Arsenal season ticket holder and was a junior tennis champion.

He regards it as part of his role in representing the House of Commons to support British sports whenever possible.

Commenting on the issue of LBGT rights, discrimination and the Commonwealth Games, John Bercow MP said: “Sadly, there might be world-class athletes who will not be able to compete in the Games as they will have been discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality; shamefully, it is estimated that 4 out of every 5 countries in the Commonwealth criminalise homosexuality. Surely it is time for the Commonwealth to do more to support lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual people, to ensure they are not discriminated against, no matter where they live.”

 

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Anorexia, bulimia and eating disorder treatment for men

Laura Chapman highlights the best treatment available for men with eating disorders.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders in men aren’t often spoken about as such disorders are widely seen as a female problem. However, a third of those who do suffer from eating disorders are male and the mentality that they shouldn’t seek help can be incredibly damaging.

Getting help for an eating disorder like bulimia will usually include therapy through either an inpatient or outpatient programme. This will allow them to rationalise and talk about their disorder in a safe place, free from judgement.

If you believe you or someone you know is suffering from bulimia, this article will hopefully be of interest to you.

It includes information on how you can seek treatment and why you should do so, as well as explaining why you shouldn’t be ashamed.

Anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders are generally viewed by society as women’s illnesses, but a large number of men also suffer from these harmful disorders.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 10 million men in the United States will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives, and 10 percent of all eating disorder sufferers that receive help from mental health professionals are male.

Although some men feel embarrassed or reluctant to get help, finding an appropriate treatment option is absolutely essential. Treatment options are varied, ranging from intensive inpatient programmes to support groups and nutrition counselling. Use these facts and figures to find the best treatment for your situation.

Do men need treatment for eating disorders?

No matter how strong men feel, their eating disorders are just as dangerous as those that impact women. Psychologists agree that men’s eating disorders are generally indistinguishable  in a clinical sense from those of women.

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, as stated in the American Journal of Psychiatry; however, according to the International Journal of Eating Disorders, only 1 in 10 sufferers of either gender receives treatment. No matter how severe the condition, those suffering from binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia or any related disorder need to seek some type of support or treatment.

The benefits of inpatient treatment programmes

Although outpatient programmes and support groups are helpful treatment options, an adult inpatient program provides the most intensive treatment regime, including a structured, supportive recovery environment, psychotherapy, life skills counselling and controlled therapeutic meals. Eating disorder facilities generally offer full-time, qualified staff members that include psychiatrists, psychologists and registered dietitians.

Additionally, inpatient programmes help patients who need medical assistance, providing nurses who monitor vital signs and administer nasogastric feeding, if necessary, to supplement the patient’s diet. After undergoing an inpatient programme, individuals generally receive help developing an after-care plan to keep them on the right track.

The benefits of intensive outpatient programmes

Individuals who are not in immediate medical danger and do not require partial hospitalization have the option of undergoing an intensive outpatient programme (IOP), allowing them to receive treatment discreetly. Most IOP programs take place several hours per day on a few chosen days of the week. Flexible schedules allow patients to begin recovering without sacrificing work, school or other daily activities. IOD programmes generally include psychotherapy, nutritional education and skill-based eating disorder support groups.

Eating disorder support groups and therapy groups for men

Men suffering from eating disorders of every type and severity can benefit from therapy groups and support groups, which are professionally facilitated groups that give sufferers a chance to share their thoughts and fears while benefiting from the eating disorder stories of their peers. These are often held during the evening at hospitals and treatment centres, and some eating disorder facilities offer therapy groups specifically for men.

Open groups are support groups that allow individuals to drop in without pre-registering, providing a great option for those who are not ready to fully commit but who want to explore the experience. Friends and family support groups are offered by many facilities as well. Online support groups are offered by organizations such as Mentor Connect and the National Association for Males With Eating Disorders on their websites.

Nutritional counselling and fitness retraining

Services, such as nutritional counselling and fitness retraining, offered by many eating disorder treatment centres keep patients on the continued path to recovery by instilling essential skills. Nutritional counselling aims to stabilize the patient’s nutrition before helping him develop healthy beliefs and habits concerning food. A trained professional helps each patient to develop a personalized meal plan. When necessary, patients receive nutrition prescriptions to help them balance electrolytes, stabilize weight or reverse malnutrition.

Fitness retraining programmes help eating disorder sufferers who exercise excessively, which is particularly common with anorexia nervosa. Fitness retraining assists sufferers in developing a healthy relationship with exercise. In these types of sessions, patients challenge popular media views concerning fitness and develop a healthy exercise regimen tailored to their needs.

Is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centre Right for You?

A dual diagnosis treatment centre aims to treat both an addiction and an underlying mental illness. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, 50 per cent of all individuals with eating disorders meet the criteria for clinical depression. An underlying mental illness is sometimes the cause of an eating disorder, but often the dual conditions simply result from the same environmental and social factors. Dual diagnosis centres commonly use therapy, behavioural management programmes and medication to treat an eating disorder and associated mental illness. A good dual diagnosis programme uses an integrated approach, developing a unique treatment regime for each individual patient.

If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, don’t wait until tomorrow to seek treatment. The American Psychological Association states that most eating disorder cases are successfully treated, although some may require long-term treatment.

Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders are serious, potentially fatal illnesses.

Eating disorders can affect anyone. Among men, gay men and male athletes from disciplines such as gymnastics, body building, running and swimming are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders, according to NEDA.

Despite intense social pressure for men to be incredibly fit, engaging in unhealthy eating behaviours is never the answer.

Sufferers and their families are encouraged to use any of the aforementioned treatment options to get started on the road to recovery.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Instant solution to hair loss now available at Velvet Tattoo

Scalp micro-pigmentation is now being offered as a service by tattooist Eve Pleavin at her studio in Brighton.

Velvet Tattoo

We asked Eve a few questions regarding this revolutionary treatment.

What is scalp micro-pigmentation?

Scalp micro-pigmentation is essentially the process of having your scalp tattooed with tiny dots that resemble the appearance of stubble, giving you the appearance of a short, ‘buzz-cut’ hairstyle. This technique darkens the scalp by replicating hair follicles and is a truly effective cosmetic solution for those people who are suffering from alopecia, baldness, thinning hair or transplant scars. The treatment is semi-permanent and can last up to 5 years; typically clients have a top up procedure every 18 months-2 years.

What does it involve?

Your first visit will be for a consultation and patch test. We will agree a suitable hairline with you, based on your original one and face shape. Your second visit will involve the first half hour with a topical anesthetic giving you a chance to ask any last minute questions. When suitably numb I will map out the hairline with a white pencil and then add hundreds of tiny dots over your scalp. A sitting typically lasts between 1 and 4 hours; if the whole head is being treated a few sittings may be required. Thanks to this technique even those who don’t have a single hair on their heads can now get a natural looking hairstyle and no surgery!

Does it hurt?

It hurts less than having a regular tattoo, certainly a lot less than a hair transplant, and an anaesthetic is available to numb the scalp.

How much does it cost?

Prices, which vary depending on how much of the scalp needs to be treated, start from £180.

Is it like a regular tattoo?

Even though the idea of an alopecia, baldness or thinning hair treatment based on a scalp tattoo might seem somewhat unorthodox, it’s important to keep in mind that the hair micro-pigmentation technique is much more sophisticated than a regular tattoo. This type of micro-pigmentation requires the use of different needles and pigments from ordinary tattooing.

How many times do I need to come for the treatment?

The SMP process may require two to three treatments 6 to 10 days apart to get the colour shade just right. Individuals absorb pigment at different rates. Your finished SMP process should last years before needing a touch-up, but everyone is different.

What will I look like immediately after SMP is done?

Immediately after the procedure, your scalp will look slightly pink, somewhat similar to a sunburn. This pink colour will fade out over the course of 24 to 48 hours. This is more pronounced in patients with a light skin colour. You will appear to have a full head of hair that has a closely shaved look. The pigment may also appear more pronounced until you wash your scalp and remove the excess pigment three days later. Depending on each patient and the type of skin, the pigment may fade as it settles in. This is the reason why you may need more touch-ups, so that the shade and colour are just right. Although I recommend at least 6 to 10 days between SMP applications, you can wait weeks or months depending on your schedule.

Eve added: “It’s a real confidence booster for men who have suffered hair loss. Satisfied clients are telling me that it’s really changed their lives; they’re told by family and friends that it looks really natural!”

Velvet Tattoo was founded in 2012 by Eve Pleavin who wanted to create an open, relaxed and non-intimidating space in Brighton. The unique gay-friendly emporium offers a wealth of services by qualified technicians including tattoos, piercing, laser tattoo removal, semi-permanent makeup, hairdressing, nails and lashes as well as scalp micro-pigmentation. Velvet also frequently holds art exhibitions and has a shop selling fairground lights, jewellery and much more.

Telephone Eve on 01273 973746 or 07746 165243 for a free consultation.

You can find Velvet Tattoo at 48 Norfolk Square, Brighton BN2 1PA

For more information CLICK HERE:

 

LETTER TO EDITOR: Thank you for nominating me as a Pride Ambassador

John Hamilton
John Hamilton

I am writing following the announcement in July Gscene that I was first runner up to be a Pride Ambassador this year.

It all started when one the longest supporters of Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Elaine Evans, a Gold Friend of the Chorus, told me that she had written to GScene nominating me. How fantastic!

I was extremely humbled and proud to read that I had received so much support and so many nominations and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who took the time to nominate me.

I’ve been very lucky over the last nine years running Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, and now also Actually CIC which manages Actually Gay Women’s Chorus as well.

Thank you to everyone who supported me, and saw potential in me and what I try to do.

Congratulations to our four elected Ambassadors who I know are all fit and deserving of this opportunity to represent our community

‘Silent Voices’ conference celebrates 10th Anniversary at the Amex Stadium

Professionals, relatives, friends and carers of people with drug and alcohol issues have been invited to a free event at the Amex Stadium on Thursday, 31 July, 2014.

WEB.600.5

The conference is organised by carers and professionals who work in the field to provide a safe space for all those affected to spend time concentrating on their own needs, meet others in the same position, and find out where they can get help and support.

To celebrate their tenth year organisers have bid for additional funds from Brighton and Hove, East and West Sussex councils to hold the event at a larger venue.

A creative-themed agenda will include performances including The Ripple Effect by the RT Dance Company and music from the Cascade Chorus of the Cascade Creative Recovery charity, which will bring entertainment and inspiration alongside personal stories and recovery workshops.

There is also a chance to take part in creative and healing activities during the day at the Happiness Art Project and free holistic therapy sessions.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Deputy Director of Public Health, Peter Wilkinson, is chairing the conference, and will be setting the theme with his opening words on the vital role played by families and friends. “Alcohol and drugs misuse ruins the lives of whole families, not just the substance users”, he says.“Families and friends not only care for people misusing drugs and alcohol, but also have a vital role in helping people to recover from their problematic use and to improve their health, well-being and participation in society.

“A great deal is expected of families and friends in these situations and events such as this one help support them with the challenges they face.”

The conference will close with a performance from singer-songwriter Linda Em, who is travelling from London for the conference.

Linda says: “Getting involved with Silent Voices 2014 feels natural for me because my father still has issues with alcohol.

“Growing up within this kind of environment was challenging. My mother was forced to leave Ireland with us children and try, as so many of them did in the 1980s, to start again in the UK.

“For me, alcoholism is not just personal, it’s also cultural, particularly so in some Irish communities. It causes families to break apart, and many of the victims are my friends.

“Silent Voices gives carers and families a chance to be saluted and celebrated and to connect with others, giving them a sense of mutual aid and understanding which is essential for the well-being of family members.

“I am completely thrilled to be performing at the event. Many creative people have been through turmoil as a result of alcohol and drugs. It shifts our perspective and teaches us to celebrate the work around us and appreciate the small stuff and people in our daily lives, and if that’s the gift my upbringing has left me with then I’m ok with that.”

The event is being funded by Brighton and Hove City Council, West Sussex County Council and East Sussex County Council.

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