Support group for Plymouth laryngectomy patients

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees

The Voice of PLC
May - June 2011
Address: c/o 80 Warleigh Avenue, PLYMOUTH, PL2 1DH, Devon, UK
Mobile: 07745819828 (text only) Email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://plymouthlc.webs.com

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR
Written by Ted BURNETT
P LC NEWSLETTER Articles. A healthy, lively discussion
took place at our recent Club Meeting as to whether
PLC should be including articles about Derriford Hospital in
Hi! To All Friends & Supporters! its Newsletter. The consensus was that we should. As
Editor, my personal view is that Derriford Hospital is very
Another month has passed! Our Club Meeting in May close to the hearts of all members of PLC. And as such, we
2011 was, I thought, quite good. It was very pleasing to see should all wish to know all that we can about the building,
some new faces and friends who came to our Club to swell the staff, its management, and of course the grassroots
our numbers . medical and nursing aspects. Not only that... but we would
wish to know the bad news as well as the good! But that’s
just my personal view. What are YOURS? Please do tell!
I hope that as many of you as possible will turn up for our
th
Club Meeting on Monday, 6 June 2011 as we have Bert
CULLING, a Member and Officer of the National Association
of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC) travelling down from
P LC NEWSLETTER Editor. It’s an accepted rule that the
editorship of any Newsltter should be rotated and
handed over now and again so as to create a fresh image
Sunderland... especially to give our Club a Talk. He would
and prevent it from becoming stale. It’s alway good too
like to meet and talk to as many PLC Members and Friends
for an Editor to be reminded that the PLC is not all about
as possible after his Talk and our Monthly Meeting. Our
him... as Geoff was so aptly and quite rightly reminded at
club, the PLC, is affiliated to NALC.
the Club Meeting in May 2011! If anyone would like to
take over the post of Editor do please submit your names
I do hope you enjoyed the Bank Holiday and that the to Ted BURNETT or Geoff READ (Secretary).
weather is fine and dandy for you all!

See you all next at the next Club Meeting! GREETINGS!

Best Wishes
Ted

EDITORIAL COMMENT B EST Wishes to the Chair of PLC, Ted BURNETT, for his
th
birthday on Friday, 10 June 2011. Have a good’un Ted

I NTERNET Links. If you’re reading this on-line and come
across words with blue lettering that are underlined, then
and thanks for all the hard work that you’ve put into our Club!

you can click on these links and be taken directly to another
site for more information on that particular topic. Put your
cursor over the link, hold down the Control (Ctrl) Key and
M ANY Happy Returns to Mr. Peter STOCK for his
th
Birthday on Friday, 24 June 2011. Peter is a new
Member of PLC. Welcome Peter and Happy Birthday!
click! Ed.

H APPY Birthday to Martin FISHER for his birthday on
th
Saturday, 25 June 1011. All the best Martin!

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC)
In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support
Registered Charity Number: 273635
Our Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support

A Member of The Plymouth Third Sector Consortium (PTSC)

Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon,
Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR From: A PLC Member
To: Geoffrey READ saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk
nd
Sent: Monday, 2 May 2011
From: Isa xxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.ca
To: Geoffrey READ saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Subject: PLC WEBSITE
th
Sent: Tuesday, 19 April 2011, 0:08 Hello Geoffrey,
Subject: THE PLYMOUTH LARYNGECTOMY CLUB
NEWSLETTER FOR APRIL - MAY 2011 I’ve just listened with interest to the video of Dr. Itzhak
BROOK. This gent who holds a prominent position where
Dear Geoff, he has to constantly speak must be an inspiration to many
I would like to say that your candidness and openness people who’re rather afraid, or embarrassed to use their
about your terrible ordeal has reached across the Atlantic. new sounding voice in public. I’m a bit of a chatterbox and
I am a smoker myself and never really thought about talk to anyone who’ll listen! However, I’ve had a hands-free
unit in my drawer upstairs for some weeks now and
quitting. But I have finally come to the conclusion... it takes
me a long time and damn it is hard... to decide to quit! although I promise myself to start practising, I keep putting
No amount of warnings nor thousands of dollars each year it off because I know it’ll take many hours before I learn
going up in smoke, pun and no pun intended, convinced me how to use properly. Starting from to-day I’ll commence my
practise and hopefully, before my next holiday in July, will
before. Real life accounts did!
I am awaiting with eagerness my kit of e-cigarettes ordered be confident in public to use it.
from the US (not available in Canada) and with Thank-you for sending video to me.
determination... hopefully... Best wishes,
Thank you and all my best!
A PLC Member
Isaxxxxxxxxxxxx
Canada
THE PLC MAY 2011 MEETING
P.S. I allow this email to be published in the PLC Newsletter if
it can help or encourage others.

Dear Isabelle,
O UR May 2011 Meeting took place at the Musatard
Tree Cancer Support Cente at Derriford Hospital on
th
Monday, 9 May 2011. 14 were in attendance!
Thank you for your email! We were delighted to welcome a new member Peter STOCK
It does make one think doesn't it! I wish I could turn the and his partner Jean.
clocks back, knowing then what I know now! Miles WILLIAMS from Platon Medical was also in a casual
However, although a lifetime of excessive smoking and attendance as he was on business at the hospital. We look
drinking almost certainly caused my cancer, it should not be forward to receivng his Talk in August.
assumed that this is always the case. Some sufferers have We also welcomed Steve from Liskeard and his cousin
never taken drink nor smoked. Jacqueline from Birmingham who were casual visitors
Nonetheless, thanks for your email and I'll most certainly introduced by Julia.
include in the next edition of our PLC Newsletter. Eileen FURNEAUX won the Raffle... a box of Roses
Well done for quitting… that’s the biggest step done! chocolates, whilst Jean READ won a box of scents.
After the formal meeting Carol CHESHIRE gave an amusing
Best wishes, Talk on The Funny Side of Nursing. It was a shame that not
Geoff more stayed to listen to this!
Secretary Members then adjourned to the Jack Rabbit Inn for a drink
The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club and a bite to eat.

From: Christine <xxxxxxxxxx@btinternet.com>
To: Geoffrey READ <saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk>
THE PLC TREASURER’S REPORT
Sent: Monday, 18 April 2011, 18:46
Subject: Re: THE PLYMOUTH LARYNGECTOMY CLUB
NEWSLETTER FOR APRIL - MAY 2011
M ONTHLY Report. The Treasurer, Jean, reports that
PLC has paid its 2011 Annual Subscription to the
National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC) which
Geoff, is the only known expense at present. The accounts can be
viewed by anyone at any time by applying to Jean.
A very newsworthy publication!
Christine
M ACMILLAN Cancer Support. Jean announced that
PLC had received a monetary grant from the Helping
You To Help Others grant programme. The grant had been
approved to carry out the following activities:
 Payments to Guest Speakers.
Postage, stationery, and sundries.
 Transportation costs to away functions.

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 2

THE PLC SECRETARY’S REPORT THE PLC QUESTIONNAIRE

C ALENDAR of Events. A copy of the Club’s Calendar of
Events, including Future Entertainments for the next
12months or so, is available on our Club’s website. Please
Q UESTIONNAIRE. Maggie and Julia recently conducted a
survery of all Derriford Laryngectomees to ascertain what
they would like to see the PLC provide for them, why some
keep yourselves up-to-date by taking the occasional peek! won’t joint the club and what other matters.
In March 2011 Maggie reported that she was pleasantly

M EMBERS & Friends. Our current Membership Status
is shown in the table below:
surprised with the returns that had been received. From the
replies received it seems that there is no one definite reason
for not becoming a member of the PLC.
POSTAL EMAIL TOTAL
At our May 2011 Meeting Julia added the following infor-
Confirmed Members: 6 9 15
mation:
Prospective Members: 2 1 3
Confirmed Friends: 7 15 22 Reasons for Laryngectomees not Attending the PLC:
TOTALS: 15 25 40  Bit too far to travel.
 No longer drive.

C ONTACT Details. Of the 15 Members and Friends not
on email Geoff (the Secretary) only has telephone
numbers for four! This makes it difficult if we need to get
Working.
Reasons for Laryngectomees Attending the PLC:
 Mutual support.
in touch with them urgently for say, the cancellation of a
 Counselling support.
meeting at short notice. Would those of you not on line
 Receive advice from professionals, including
please complete the enclosed form and return it to Geoff at
physicians, manufacturers, consultants and medical
their earliest convenience? Thanks!
staff.
All Members of PLC would like to thank Maggie and Julia for
THE PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS their efforts in improving the benefits of the PLC so as to
make it more widely acceptable to all Derriford-based
J
h
UNE 2011. Monday 6 June 2011: PLC Club Meeting at laryngectomees. Thanks Ladies!
the Mustard Tree followed by Lunch at the Jack Rabbit.
Prior to the meeting there’ll be a Talk on the National
Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC) given by one of MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
the NALC Vice Presidents, Bert CULLING. Bert has kindly
agreed to stand in for the President who has had to cancel
all further engagements during 2011. This will be an ideal
T HE PLC has been most fortunate in
being awarded a sum of money by
the Macmillan Cancer Support’s Helping
time to ask any questions you have concerning NALC and
You Help Others grant programme. This will be an
how it operates. So do please think about it!
enormous boost to our Club and help towards our
Bert is very keen to meet face-to-face with as many PLC
payments to Guest Speakers, postage, stationery and other
Members as possible. Bert will be travelling all the way
sundries, as well as transportations costs. We are so very
from Sunderland to be with us so it is hoped that as many
grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support. As a way of thanks,
members as possible will be in attendance and also, join in
our Club will be now be looking into the ways in which we
for lunch after the meeting.
can help and support Macmillan! Suggestions would be
Eileen FURNEAUX will organise the Raffle.
welcomed... how’s about a singing contest!

J
th
ULY 2011. Monday, 4 July 2011: PLC Club Meeting at
the Mustard Tree followed by Lunch at the Jack Rabbit.
After the meeting there’ll be a Talk on Heimomed UK by
F UNDRAISING. Over the next month the PLC will
discussing the best way for us to help Macmillan Cancer
Support, perhaps by doing some fundraising ourselves. To
Company Representative Ulla ROHRBECK.
this end we are making contact with the North Devon,
Plymouth & Tamar Valley Fundraising Office of Macmillan
S
th
EPTEMBER 2011. Wednesday, 14 September2011:
Cancer Support at Launceston to ascertain how we should
The Speak Easy Club in Cornwall has made a provisional
best proceed.
booking at Devoran for a soup and sandwich lunch, if
the PLC are able to accept their invitation for a joint
meeting. The Speak Easy Club could arrange to meet
anyone coming by train or bus at Truro. Note by the Ed:
M ACMILLAN Learn Zone. Did you know that Macmillan
offers courses of instruction on all sorts of topics?
Some of them include:
This information is fresh in and will be discussed at the June
2011 Meeting.  Helping Yourself (Self Management)
 Supporting Others
F ORECAST. A full calendar of events for the rest of the
year can be viewed on our website. Various new events
were proposed at the May 2011 Meeting such as a Coach Trip,
 Getting Involved (User Involvement)

If you you’re interested and don’t have access to the internet
a trip to the Eden Project and a Liaison Visit to the SpeakEasy then please contact Geoff for assistance.
Club in Cornwall.


R EGISTERING as a Cancer Voice. Macmillan Cancer Voices
is a UK-wide network of people who use their cancer
experience to help Macmillan and other cancer-related
How you can help
Your club or individual members of the club can contribute to
organisations change the future of cancer care. Becoming a the project by completing the form and submitting one or
Cancer Voice is a unique way to make life better for everyone more examples of a treatment uncertainty or unanswered
affected by cancer. question. Could you please arrange a discussion of the project
To make the most of the Cancer Voices Network and resources at one of your meetings or pass the information to individual
immediately, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/cancervoices where members who you think may be interested? The address to
you can register and receive ongoing information, news and which forms can be returned is included on the form and the
th
events. deadline for completion is Friday, 10 June 2011.
If you don’t have access to the internet Macmillan can keep The form is available for download, so that it can be completed
you informed by post... just call them on 020 7840 4936 and and sent in by email rather than by post. The Chesterfield Club
they will provide you with a hard copy registration form. website www.hnchelp.org.uk has a link which can be found by
Alternatively, speak to Geoff and he will help you out! clicking on the Priority Setting Partnership item on the home
page menu.It does not matter if the ideas that patients and
HEAD & NECK CANCER PRIORITY SETTING carers submit are real uncertainties or not, once they are
collected they will be checked to find out if they have been
PARTNERSHIP thoroughly researched or not.

T HE National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC)
has been involved in Head & Neck Cancer research
Projects for many years, through
Please consider “treatment” in its widest sense to include
anything that contributes to a successful outcome in treating
head and neck cancer and improves the quality of life of
having Members serve on the National patients.
Cancer Research Institute’s Head & Neck
Cancer Clinical Studies Group. The text Further Guidance
below was forwarded to us by NALC Please use the Contacts page in "About Us" on this website if
from what is on The Chesterfield Club’s you need further information or help.
website.
Thank you for your time and any assistance you can give to this
HEAD AND NECK CANCER PRIORITY SETTING project.
PARTNERSHIP
(ENTUK and Head & Neck 5000 in association with the Editorial Note: This subject will be discussed at the June
James Lind Alliance) 2011 Meeting. In the meantime, should anyone have any
To Laryngectomee Clubs: difficulty in obtaining a copy of the form mentioned in the
article then do please contact Geoff who will provide you
HEAD AND NECK CANCER RESEARCH PRIORITY SETTING with one. Ed.
PARTNERSHIP - INTRODUCTION
I am contacting you to ask for the help of your club and its NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
members in a project that has just been launched. The aim of
the project is to produce a list of uncertainties or unanswered
LARYNGECTOMEE CLUBS (NALC)
questions about the treatment of head and neck cancer that
A
th
NNUAL General Meeting: Monday, 16 May 2011.
can be resolved by research. The aim is then to produce a Geoff Jean READ represented the PLC at the meeting
priority list and the results will be passed to research held at The Hallam Conference Centre. It was good to
commissioning bodies to be considered for funding. meet the people that we have been dealing with and to
What is unique about the project is that it is a collaboration actually put faces to the names!
between clinicians and patients on equal terms and the views
of both groups will have equal weight in arriving at decisions
A
th
NNUAL Lunch 2011: Sunday, 4 September 2011. This
about the priority list. People may suffer unnecessarily because will be held at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith in Cumbria
uncertainties about the effects of treatments have not been and will cost £15 per head. A response is needed by Friday, 5
th

addressed in research. Patients and doctors may have very August 2011 so if you wish to attend this function do please let
different ideas about what important questions need to be Geoff know at your earliest convenience.
addressed compared to those raised by the drug
manufacturers or medical technology companies. The aim is to Note by the Ed: This information is fresh in and will be
bring our ideas to the fore. discussed at the June 2011 Meeting. Ed.


‘When you’ve got cancer you’ve got to take care of business.
NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS
They tell you have seven weeks of chemo, radiation, you kind
DISCLAIMER
of dive in and do it,’ he said.
Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this section are ‘I’m the kind of person when they’re sick, I just curl up, I
not necessarily those held by the PLC Committee nor its Members. don’t like a lot of fuss and no attention.
I just like to get on with it. So I got on with it.

B RITISH Stiff Upper Lip for Her Break Down 'She Just
Bottled It All Up': Michael DOUGLAS Blames Catherine
ZETA-JONES. This article was published in The Mail By
‘I think that part of Catherine’s whole background, she’s Welsh
and the Welsh it’s all stiff upper lip, not let your feelings show.’
th Right: Stressed out:
Daniel Bates on Wednesday, 27 April 2011.
Catherine, pictured last week on
Cancer location for her new movie
th
It was announced on 16 August, 2010, that DOUGLAS Playing The Field in Louisiana, was
was suffering from throat cancer and will undergo treated for bipolar II at a clinic
st
chemotherapy and radiation treatment. On 31 August, earlier this month.
2010 DOUGLAS appeared on Late Show with David
DOUGLAS said that the last 18
LETTERMAN. and confirmed that the cancer was at an
months had been ‘harrowing’ and
advanced stage IV. DOUGLAS attributed the cancer to a
he had suffered a string of
combination of stress, his previous alcohol abuse, and
personal disasters that put
years of heavy smoking.
pressure on his wife.
In November 2010, DOUGLAS was put on a special
‘In my last year and a half my
weight gain diet by his doctors due to the excessive
th oldest son is in federal prison, my
weight loss leaving him weak. On 11 January, 2011, he
ex-wife is suing me, and I got
said in an interview that the tumour was gone. He
cancer. It's kind of hard for the
admitted that the illness and aggressive treatment had
wife to say, "I'm depressed".'
caused him to lose 32 lb in weight. He will have to have
He joked: 'You're depressed, huh?
monthly screenings because there is a very high chance
How about some cancer, you
that the cancer could return over the course of the next
want to get depressed?'
two to three years. Although DOUGLAS has described the
‘That played a big part of it, she’s
cancer as throat cancer, many doctors believe he was
got to be stoic and deal with all
actually diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.
the stuff I’m going through.
‘Probably the time I’m off the hook you finally relax.’
Michael DOUGLAS has claimed that Catherine ZETA-JONES Douglas added that he was ‘so proud’ of his wife for seeking
broke down under the stress of his cancer battle because of treatment for her condition.
her British stiff upper lip. ‘She’s great now, she’s shooting a movie and she’s relived she
Talking to Oprah WINFREY, the actor said his wife’s Welsh has a much better understanding because this was not
background meant that she bottled everything up and was something where she was clearly aware of what was going on’.
overcome with emotion when he was given the all-clear. Speaking in a slightly raspy voice, DOUGLAS became emotional
Whilst he just ‘got on with it’ ZETA-JONES remained stoic when talking about how cancer had changed his attitude to
throughout and just stored up problems for herself later on. life.
Left: Opening up: He said that his priorities were completely different from years
Michael Douglas spoke to Oprah in a gone by when he was driven to succeed in his career at the
candid interview about his cancer battle expense of spending time with his family.
and how his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones Asked he was asked if he was a different man having beaten
struggled to cope with it. cancer DOUGLAS choked up... and tears were clearly visible in
'I just got on with it': But Michael said his eyes.
Catherine bottled it all up before being ‘Wow. I think, I know... um... I know that I’m much, much
overcome with emotion when he was closer to my friends and family, I have a much deeper
given the all clear. appreciation of family and friends,’ he said.
‘I was truly overwhelmed by the support.
The Swansea-born actress was admitted 'For somebody who has no formal religious education the
to a US rehabilitation clinic for five days amount of prayers and support I received worldwide truly
earlier this month where she was did have an influence and a help.’
diagnosed with bipolar II disorder brought on by the strain of DOUGLAS’ next project is to play flamboyant entertainer
DOUGLAS’ battle with throat cancer. LIBERACE in a biopic alongside Matt DAMON, who will play
DOUGLAS, 66, was given the all-clear in January. his younger lover.
But Zeta-Jones, who has two children, son Dylan, 10, and ZETA-JONES is currently filming comedy Playing the Field in
daughter Carys, eight, with Michael was still experiencing Louisiana.
the effects of depression.
DOUGLAS agreed that his health problems had ‘exacerbated’ More at: dailymail.co.uk
ZETA-JONES’ plight.


C ANCER breath tests a step closer. This article was
st
broadcast by the BBC on Thursday, 21 April 2011. C ANCER RESEARCH UK income tops £500m for First Time.
th
By John PLUMMER, Third Sector Online, Friday, 15 April
2011.
Could a breath test detect cancer? A breath test that can
sniff-out cancer is a step Cancer Research UK fundraising
closer to reality, according to tops £500m. Income of UK's
a preliminary study. biggest fundraising charity
Researchers found an increased by 3.4% in the year to
electronic nose was able to March 2010.
identify chemical signals of
The annual income of Cancer Research UK, Britain's biggest
cancer in the breath of patients with lung or head and neck
fundraising charity, passed £500m for the first time last year.
cancer.
It increased by 3.4% from £498m to £515m in the financial
A cancer charity said it would take years of research to see
year ending March 2010.
if the breath test could be used in the clinic.
In its annual report and accounts, the charity says growth
About 80 volunteers took part in the Israeli research,
occurred "principally because our fundraising held up strongly"
published in the British Journal of Cancer.
during the recession.
Of these 22 had various head-and-neck cancers, 24 had lung
"It was an excellent year for recruiting new donors, increasing
cancer and 36 were healthy.
the level of donations, encouraging people to give in different
The prototype breath test Head-and-neck cancer
ways and winning back supporters who had stopped giving,"
uses a chemical method to Around 9,000 people in the
the report says.
spot markers of cancer UK are diagnosed with head-
Income was boosted by a single legacy worth £10m, the largest
present in the breath. and-neck cancer each year. ever received by the charity, and a £9m VAT rebate. Reserves
The hope is that one day
increased by £34m.
such a test could be used in Cancers include those of the
The charity issued a press release when the report was filed in
a GP's surgery to give an eye, mouth, voice box and
food pipe. September last year saying it had spent £334m on research
instant diagnosis.
during the year, but it did not mention the sum it had
'Urgent need'
generated.
Researchers at the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology)
Lynne ROBB, Chief Financial Officer at CRUK, said the impact of
are working on a device called the nano artificial nose.
the economic downturn had so far "not been as bad as feared"
They looked at head-and-neck cancer, which is often
but that this could change if the economy worsened. She said
diagnosed late, making it more difficult to treat
she expected income to be "fairly flat" in the 2010/11
successfully.
accounts.
Lead researcher, Professor Hossam HAICK, said: "There's an
Formed by a merger in 2002, Cancer Research UK’s income has
urgent need to develop new ways to detect head-and-neck
grown by £134m over the past four years.
cancer because diagnosis of the disease is complicated,
"It shows we made the right decision because people got
requiring specialist examinations.
behind us," said Robb.
"We've shown that a simple 'breath test' can spot the
patterns of molecules which are found in head-and-neck
patients in a small, early study.
"We now need to test these results in larger studies to find
C OLEBROOK Housing Carers. PLC has been sent a copy
of their general leaflet and you can preview the 2-page
leaflet at the end of this newsletter. Colebrook will be
if this could lead to a potential screening method for the
happy to send further information about their service if
disease."
required. They would also be delighted to speak with any
Dr. Lesley WALKER, of Cancer Research UK, said it was
PLC Friends or Members and tell them more about their
incredibly important to spot the disease as soon as possible
service.
when it was easier to treat successfully.
She added: "These interesting initial results show promise for Please contact:
the development of a breath test to detect head-and-neck
Sarah TUHILL
cancers which are often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Carers Advice & Outreach Worker
"But it's important to be clear that this is a small study, at a Carers Champions Plymouth
very early stage, so many more years of research with patients 3 Woodland Terrace,
will be needed to see if a breath test could be used in the Greenbank,
clinic." Plymouth, PL4 8NL
Click here to Continue reading the main story. Tel : (01752) 211348
Fax: (01752) 211365
e-mail: stuhill@colebrookhousing.co.uk
www.colebrookhousing.co.uk/carers


D ANNY BAKER Winning Cancer Fight. This article was
th
published in the Daily Express on Wednesday 12 May
2011.
82% of patients reported they did not have to share a sleeping
area with a member of the opposite sex when first admitted.
Chief Nurse Professor Sarah Watson-Fisher said: "Everything
we do is for the benefit of our patients. Their feedback is
AFTER eight months of gruelling treatment Danny BAKER has crucial... it tells us what we are doing well and what we need to
opened up about his “horrible, horrible” battle to beat a very change.
“personal” cancer affecting his mouth and throat. "It's great that so many of them rate their overall care very
The DJ and comedy writer spoke to the Express after winning highly but there is always room for improvement. We are
the Speech Radio Personality of the Year prize at the Sony now able to access more real-time feedback from patients
Radio Academy Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in so each ward knows what their patients are happy with and
London’s Park Lane. what areas they need to improve on and the ward leaders
can take immediate action. This being done every day."
Danny Baker under-went six
Overall, 79% of Derriford patients rated the quality of care as
months of radiotherapy. →
either 'excellent' or 'very good', 12% as 'good', 7% as 'fair' and
The 53-year-old had the 1% as 'poor'.
diagnosis in November and 97% of respondents reported the hospital and wards to be
took a break from his shows either 'very clean' or 'fairly clean', compared to 95% the
on Radio 5 Live and BBC previous year.
London 94.9 as he underwent 52% of patients found the food to be either 'very good' or
six months of radiotherapy. He chose not to reveal the type 'good', while 31% rated it as 'fair'.
of cancer until last night. The survey was sent to a sample of 850 in-patients who had
“I’m not sure when the treatment will be finished. I’ve got a been discharged by the Trust in June, July or August 2010.
tube I put formula through, I can’t eat at all. I’ve no taste buds, There was a 54% response rate.
no saliva and chronic pins and needles in my hands as I speak.
But I’m feeling all right.
“I’ve lost two stone... I won’t be bringing out a book or a DVD
though! It’s been a horrible, horrible time.”
D ERRIFORD Hospital Back in Black After £21million of
Savings. This article was published in the Plymouth
Herald on Monday, 9th May 2011:
Danny, who has three children, Bonnie, 27, Sonny, 24 and
Mancie, 12 with wife Wendy, says the weight loss is no silver DERRIFORD Hospital has clawed back more than £20million to
lining: “In a couple of years I hope to be bulging at the seams stay in the black.
again, fat as a house. You see me here tonight sipping a glass of Hospital bosses have announced
water as I have to do 24 hours a day. It’s not fun. they ended the financial year with
“Why would I keep the weight off? Fat people are jolly! I don’t a £17,000 surplus, after making
see losing weight as an advantage at all. I love to eat, I love to around £21million of savings.
talk and the particular cancer I had attacked my mouth and The past year has seen a range of
throat so it was quite personal. cost-cutting measures across the
“To get back to what I used to be, to eat and talk, I’m fine with organisation, and tough negotiations over its NHS income.
that. I’ve got a big family and we like to sit around and eat and Managers finalising the hospital's annual plan for the current
there’s me with my glass of water. Next time you see me I hope year warned there are further difficult decisions ahead, due to
I’ll have my own gravitational field.” huge financial pressure across the NHS.
We wish you a speedy return to health, Danny! Read more on this.
You can read more by clicking on this link.
D ERRIFORD HOSPITAL to Axe Hundreds of Jobs and 130
Beds to Cut £31m. This article was published in The
M AJORITY OF PATIENTS rate Derriford Hospital care
as 'excellent' or 'good'. This article was published in
nd
the Plymouth Herald on Friday, 22 April, 2011.
th
Herald on Wednesday, 11 May 2010:

HUNDREDS of posts will be shed and 130 beds closed as
Derriford Hospital tackles its biggest ever savings target.
MORE than 90% of Derriford Hospital patients rated the
Hospital managers must cut costs by £31million... eight per
care as 'excellent' or 'good' in an independent survey.
cent of its budget... in order to break even during this financial
Healthcare watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
year.
published its Annual Inpatient Survey covering 161 hospital
It comes as the organisation's income has been reduced for the
trusts nationwide.
first time in a decade, amid rocketing costs and NHS
The hospital ranked in the best 20% of trusts in five areas
restructuring.
including confidence in nursing staff, availability of hand
The national drive is for hospitals to become smaller as more
wash gel for patients and visitors, admission dates not being
care is provided in communities and people's own homes... a
changed, and privacy in the emergency department.
process already under way in Plymouth.
It came in the worst 20% in eight areas including sharing
Union chiefs were meeting to discuss the annual plan on
sleeping areas, bathroom and showers with patients of the th
Wednesday, 11 May and it is now available online.
opposite sex.


T UBE-FEEDING service nets Vicky top prize. This article
th
appeared in the Plymouth Herald on Saturday, 7 May
2011:
Mr. ROBERTS announced his resignation this week. He has
been chief executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust for 11
years.
Read more on this.
A DIETITIAN from Derriford Hospital has been recognised at a
national awards ceremony for her pioneering work.
Vicky CHUDLEIGH-EMSON, who set up a tube-feeding service
for patients at home, scooped the Chief Health Professions
F ORMER Plymouth Health Chief Will Head Streamlined
NHS Trusts. This article was published in the Plymouth
th
Herald on Saturday, 14 May 2011:
Officer's Award for Leadership (England) at the Advancing
Health Care Awards 2011. NEW ROLE: Ann JAMES
The Enteral Feeding Project, which she developed from A FORMER city health chief will lead a
scratch, involves delivering liquid food through a tube into the 'cluster' of NHS bodies overseeing major
stomach and is used by critically ill and postoperative patients. reforms across Devon.
The dietician said: "I am absolutely delighted and rather ANN JAMES has been appointed Chief
overwhelmed to have won, I went into shock when they read Executive of Primary Care Trusts NHS
my name out. Plymouth, NHS Devon & Torbay Care Trust
"I am so proud of the service and in a merging of top-tier management.
the difference it has made to the The 'streamlining' is moving towards slashing management
care our patients receive. This costs by 43%, as set out by Government.
award is fantastic recognition of England's 151 primary care trusts (PCT), which control local
the focus, commitment and hard health budgets, are set to be abolished and replaced by GP-led
work of the team in the past five years." bodies by 2013.
Vicky, who was asked to develop the service five years ago, Read more on this.
added: "We prevent malnutrition and associated complications
and have helped to reduce the need for routine and
emergency hospital admissions.
"In addition we have reduced the incident of infections and
H OSPITAL Leads Way for a New Cancer System. This
article appeared in the Plymouth Herald on
th
Wednesday, 25 May 2011:
complications through improved stoma site and tube care."
Paul ROBERTS, Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS DERRIFORD Hospital is leading a national project which
Trust, added: "This project is a fantastic example of the sort of aims to improve information for cancer patients.
transformational change that the NHS needs. It is better for The hospital has been named a "beacon site" for launching
patients as it means fewer infections, complications and the National Cancer Information Prescriptions System (IPS),
avoidable hospital admissions and, as a result, it also saves a web-based tool hosted by NHS Choices aimed at
money. improving the way in which patients receive information
"Vicky is a real self-starter who has worked on this strategy for about their condition and treatment.
the last five years." Consultant Haematologist Wayne THOMAS, who is leading
The awards are supported by NHS Employers, the Allied Health the work at Derriford, said: "This is about personalising care
Professionals (AHP) Federation, the Federation for Healthcare so that patients are given the right information at the right
Science and the union Unite. time that is relevant to them.
"Cancer is not a uniform condition; it affects different
Note by the Editor:
people in different ways and there are different treatments
I left the following comment on the Plymouth Herald website:
and outcomes. This system allows us to give people
As a tube feeder since my laryngectomee operation two years ago I
am most grateful for this fast, efficient and reliable service. This information that is personal to them.
seemingly simple service saves me and others from having to take up Click on this link to read the full story.
a hospital bed and allows us to live in the comparative luxury of our

V
own homes. Thank you to you V icky and to your team! I am so
ALID Concerns. The following is the Editorial Comment
pleased you have been recognised for your efforts!
published in the Plymouth Herald in May 2011:
Geoffrey READ, Plymouth
Commented on Tuesday, 10th May, 2011 7:28 a.m. YESTERDAY we reported on the cutbacks being implemented
Geoff also sent a congratulatory letter on behalf of the Chair at Derriford Hospital, as managers tackle its biggest ever
and all Members of PLC savings target.
Today, the national Patients Association raised "deep concerns"

D ERRIFORD Hospital Interim Chief Executive Is
Announced. This article appeared in the Plymouth
th
Herald on Saturday, 7 May 2011:
that frontline services will be hit, while Plymouth patient
representative Barry LUCAS questioned whether Derriford
Hospital will be able to maintain its quality of care. These are
valid worries which all involved in achieving these savings must
DERRIFORD Hospital has announced who will temporarily lead keep at the forefront of their thinking, whatever they bring in.
the organisation when its top manager leaves this summer.
Chief Operating Officer Helen O'SHEA will become interim
Chief Executive when Paul ROBERTS steps down at the end of
July.


H ave You Used Derriford Hospital in the Past Six
Months? Then Tell Plymouth LINk About it! H EALTH Forum Meeting. Following the Engaging With
Health Structures event in March 2011, we are holding
an initial meeting as part of the development of a forum to
As part of Plymouth LINk’s ongoing work to improve patient promote and engage working with health colleagues.
experience at Derriford Hospital and in response to your The meeting will work on practical areas of development to
feedback, we are researching the difficulties encountered by improve the health of Plymouth Communities. The two
those with disability when using the hospital. Maybe you or main areas for discussion for the first meeting are:
someone you know has a visual impairment, limited mobility,
 Enriching the JSNA
learning difficulty, hearing impairment or language barrier
(Joint Strategic Needs Assessment).
and has encountered problems at the hospital as a result.
 What can I / we do to play our part in the future
Tell us what you think of the signage, wheelchair availability,
health delivery and planning?
disabled toilets, pavement camber and even the parking!
th
Please obtain a questionnaire from the address below or The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 7 June from 2
contact Geoff in PLC. When you’ve completed it you can p.m. – 4 p.m. at:
post to the following freepost address:
Engage Plymouth,
Freepost RRZE-AGZT-EXRS
Carmel Church,
LINk Support Team
St. Levan Road,
Unit 15, HQ Building
Milehouse, Plymouth PL2 3BG.
237 Union Street,
Plymouth PL1 3HQ Parking is available at the venue. For those using public
transport, there is a bus stop directly outside the venue.
All completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize
If you wish to attend the meeting please send confirmation
draw, with the chance to win £50 of ‘Love to Shop’ vouchers.
to Nicola@plymouthguild.org.uk.
Don’t forget to include your name and address if you wish to
be entered into the draw! Please return questionnaires by Many thanks,
th
Friday, 20 May 2011.
Ruth WALLS
Karen MORSE Consortium Manager,
LINk Support Team Plymouth Third Sector Consortium,
Tel: (01752) 202407 Plymouth Guild,
Fax: (01752) 202406 Ernest English House,
Email: shodgson@plymouth-link.co.uk Buckwell Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DA
Website: www.plymouth-link.co.uk Telephone: (01752) 201766
Website: www.plymouthtsc.org.uk

I VYBRIDGE Comings and Goings.

Donkey Summer Fair at EST Ivybridge, Saturday, 18 June
th

from 10 a.m. – 4
p.m. Demonstrations,
Games & Stalls,
Inflatables, BBQ,
Donkey Carriage rides
and much, much
more! Fun Family Dog
Show from 2 p.m. Free
entry and parking. For
more information,
please call the centre on
(01752) 690 200.

Car Boot Sales at EST Ivybridge on:


th
Sunday, 26 June,

th
Sunday, 24 July,

st
Sunday, 21 August, and

th
Sunday, 25 September.

The timings have yet to be confirmed!


O VERCOMING Depression After Laryngectomy: An
account by a physician as a cancer-of-the-neck patient.
This is why individual and group counselling and therapy for
both patient and spouse are very important. The patient’s
spouse and caregivers often experience emotional strain that
Depression is one of the most difficult issues a patient that had
also need to be addressed.
been diagnosed with cancer has to face. I am a physician who
Hopefully, a patient can find strength within themselves to
had been diagnosed with throat cancer several years ago and
fight the depression. In my case after I returned home from the
am writing this manuscript to share my
extensive surgery I had to remove my cancer which included
personal experiences as a cancer
also the excision away of my vocal cords, I was overwhelmed
survivor and a clinician. I am doing so
by the daily tasks I had to perform and the new realities I had
hoping that my perspectives will assist
to accept. I was mourning the many losses I had experienced,
other individuals who had undergone
which included my voice, my wellbeing, and the need to
similar experiences cope better with
accept many permanent deficits such as not having a normal
their situation and hopefully gain insight
voice anymore and having to speak using a weak and rusty
into their lives. It is also presented to
voice generated by a prosthesis that connects my trachea and
health care professionals who care for
oesophagus. I felt that I had to make an early choice between
patients with this condition in the hope
succumbing to the creeping depression and let it consume me
that by gain insight into the patients’ world they would be able
or become proactive and fight back and return to life. I chose
to better assist them in their plight.
the latter because deep inside I had a very strong desire to get
Coping with and overcoming depression is very important
better and overcome my handicaps. I also realised that my
not only for the well being of the patient but may actually
struggle is not over and will be with me for a long time and
facilitate their recovery and may even increase their chance
that I will need to conquer the downhill slope again and again.
for longer survival and perhaps even ultimate cure. There is
The driving force on many occasions to become proactive and
growing evidence in many scientific studies that there is
resist depression is my wish to set an example for my children
connection between mind and body. Even though much of
that one should not give in the face of adversity. I knew that
these connections are not yet understood it is well known
they may and unfortunately would also have to face difficult in
by experienced practitioners that individuals who are
the future and did not want to leave them the legacy that their
motivated to get better and exhibit a positive attitude
father gave up and did not do his best to get back to his feet.
recover faster from serious illnesses, live longer and
This was and still is a driving force that I resort to whenever I
sometimes survive immense odds.
feel down.
There are so many reasons to become depressed after
learning about cancer and living with it. It is a devastating Dr. Itzhak BROOK is the author of the book:
illness to the patients and their families and medicine has "My Voice... A Physician's Personal Experience With Throat Cancer"
not yet found a cure for most types of cancer. By the time https://www.createspace.com/900004368.
cancer had been discovered it is too late for prevention and The book can be read on the author’s Blog:
if the cancer had been discovered at an advanced stage the http://dribrook.blogspot.com/
risk of dissemination and ultimate cure is significantly
Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc
decreased. Professor of Paediatrics & Medicine
Many emotions go through the patient’s mind after learning Georgetown University School of Medicine
about the bad news. “Why me?” and “Can it be true?” After Washington DC, USA
E mail: ib6@georgetown.edu
first becoming stunned by the news, feelings of denials, which
are followed by anger, with ultimate acceptance of the new Support by family members and friends is very important.
reality. It is believed that depression is a form of anger. Perhaps Feeling that one’s continuous presence in the world and actual
anger at the new devastating reality. involvement in their lives is very helpful in re-igniting the will to
The patient has to face their ultimate mortality, sometimes for go on. The involvement and contribution to others lives can be
the first time of their life and have to deal with all the invigorating. As a parent or grandparent one can draw strength
immediate and long term consequence consequences on them and will to go on by seeing and enjoying the interaction and
and their loved ones. Paradoxically feeling depressed after the impact one has on them.
learning about the diagnosis allows the patient to accept the What I found out to be helpful was to become re-involved in
new reality. By not caring any more it is easier to live with the activities I liked before and find a continuous purpose for my
uncertain future. “I don’t care anymore what happens“ feeling life. I started to return to the hospital to participate and teach
makes it easier for a while. However, this coping mechanism in medical rounds and listen to medical lectures. What was
carries a heavy prize because it can actually interfere with most encouraging and rewarding was that my contributions
getting appropriate medical and surgical care and can actually impacted and improved individual patient care. I felt that I was
lead to rapid decline in the quality of life. making a difference again. This made me want to return to the
Becoming a laryngectomee after losing the vocal cords adds hospital and teach even more. In the process of helping others,
additional stress and difficulties. The inability or difficulty to I was also helping myself.
speak creates a sense of isolation. Difficulties in verbalising I was also able to gradually return to many of my other
built-in emotions can create anger and frustration that may routines. I started with simple challenges such as reading
lead to depression. Recognising these challenges by the spouse medical literature again, accepting invitation to review articles
and care givers can alleviate much of the stress. submitted to medical journals, learn how to take a shower
without aspirating water, and even simply walking more.


I gradually became able to ride a bicycle and even climb to the There will also be a general update from the members of the
top of a mountain with my family. Even though I realised that network and the work of groups across the city.
the quality of my voice is not the same as before, one of my
If you would like to find out more about the network, attend
greatest comebacks was to be able to teach and lecture again
the meeting or discuss joining please contact Carole HICKLING
with the help of a microphone. Each of these small steps made
at befriendingpcbc@btconnect.com or telephone (01752)
me feel better and stronger. I was discovering the world again,
221933.
quite like an infant learning to walk.
For general information about the network and details of the
Soon after my return home, I started to attend the monthly
other sector networks please click on this link.
meetings of the local Laryngectomee Club, as well as their
monthly speech therapy sessions. I cherished the support and Many thanks
advice I received from the other club members and especially PTSC Team
from the club president, who was extremely dedicated and
deeply caring and helpful toward the members. I kept coming
to the club even when my needs were no longer intense and The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club
became its Secretary the following year. (PLC)
Seeking the help of a mental health professional can be very
helpful. I was fortunate to be assisted throughout my illness
and recovery process by an excellent, compassionate and
skillful social worker. We discussed various issues relating to
my recovery process, as well as my anxieties and frustrations.
Having a caring and competent physician and speech and
language pathologist that can provide continuous follow-up.
Their involvement can help deal with any emerging medical
and speech problems are very
important for the sense of well being.
I found ways by which I can use the set
back in my life in a positive way. I
realised that I have much to contribute
to others. By lecturing and writing The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
about my experiences and sharing
is a Charitable Support Group. We aims to
them with other laryngectomee and
health care providers, others can learn offer support and care to the laryngectomees
and benefit from my experience. and their families in Plymouth. We also
Submitted by Dr. Itzak BROOK, of Washington D.C. and a encourage understanding and support by the
Friend of PLC. public.
Laryngectomy is the removal of the larynx and
T HE OLDER Persons Voluntary & Community Network
(OPVCN) has been refreshed and is open for membership.
The network covers a range of issues affecting older persons
separation of the airway from the mouth, nose
and oesophagus. The Laryngectomee breaths
and the organisations and groups working with older people. through the neck, a stoma. It is done in the
The network meets approximately six times a year with invited cases of laryngeal cancer. However, many
speakers and guests from public and private sector
laryngeal cancer cases are now treated only with
organisations. The network is used for information sharing,
promoting best practice and updates on the latest changes radiation and chemotherapy or other laser
affecting the sector and services. procedures, and Laryngectomy is performed
th
The next meeting is taking place on Thursday, 30 June at: when those treatments fail to conserve the
Plymouth Guild, larynx.
Ernest English House,
Buckwell Street If you are a Laryngectomy you would be most
Plymouth welcome to come along on your own or with
from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. your partner.
The main topic for discussion is Mental Health Services for
Older People. It will include changes in service provision for
older people and the increasing demand for support in the
community. The meeting will also explore concerns over the Come join us!
present services on offer and how those in need can access
them. Representatives from Mental Health Services for older
Our Members and Friends meet
people have been invited to this meeting to discuss the needs, on the first Monday of every month.
gaps and present situation of service provision.


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