Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
At PRimage Judy Viitanen tries hard to follow these useful steers to achieving the maximum out of her life – and to increase work time productivity. 
If you’re like Judy, with a lot to get through each day, why not try these lifestyle tips and see if they help you?
- Make sufficient sleep a top priority.
Schedule your bedtime, and start winding down at least 45 minutes earlier. Ninety-eight percent of all human beings need at least 7-8 hours a night to feel fully rested. Only a fraction of us get that much regularly, in part because we buy into the myth that sacrificing an hour or two of sleep a night give us an hour more of productivity. In reality, even small amounts of sleep deprivation can take a dramatic toll on our cognitive capacity, our ability to think creatively, our emotional resilience, the quality of our work, and even the speed at which we do it.
- Create only one ‘to-do list’ that includes everything you want or need to do, on and off the job. Include everything, including any unresolved issues that merit further reflection.
Writing everything down helps get it off your mind, leaving you free to fully focus on what’s most important at any given moment.
- Ensure you do the most important thing first when you start work each morning, when you’re likely to have the highest energy and the fewest distractions. Decide the night before what activity most deserves your attention.
Then focus on it single-mindedly for no more than 90 minutes. Productivity isn’t about how many tasks you complete or the number of hours you work. It’s about the enduring value you create.
- Live like a sprinter, not a marathoner.
When you work continuously, you’re actually progressively depleting your energy reservoir as the day wears on. By making regular renewal and refuelling important, you’re regularly replenishing your reservoir, so you’re not only able to fully engage at intervals along the way, but also to maintain high energy much further into the day.
- Monitor your mood. When demand begins to exceed your capacity, one of the most common signs is an increase in negative emotions.
The more we move into ‘fight or flight’ the more reactive and impulsive we become, and the less reflective and responsive. The first question to ask your self is “Why am I feeling this way, and what can I do to make myself feel better?” It may be that you’re hungry, tired, overwhelmed, or feeling threatened in some way. Awareness is the first step. You can’t change what you don’t notice.
- Schedule specific times for activities in your life that you deem important, but not urgent. With so much coming at you all the time, it’s easy to focus all day on whatever feels most pressing in the moment. What you sacrifice is the opportunity to take on work such as writing, strategizing, thinking creatively, or cultivating relationships, which may require more time and energy, but often yield greater long-term rewards.
Good luck!
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Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
As Health Secretary Andrew Lansley publishes further details on the NHS White Paper today, Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team had their mid-morning coffee break tuning into Mr Lansley’s live online White Paper Q&A via the Number 10 web site.
With clients in the pharmacy and healthcare sector, PRimage has been keen to know what the NHS Health White Paper would mean for pharmacists. So Judy was delighted and encouraged to hear some really positive comments from the health secretary on the value and potential of community pharmacy.
Andrew Lansley commented:
“Pharmacies are an under-used asset in delivering better health”
“ GPs have too often seen themselves and pharmacists in competition for resources. With GP-led commissioning I believe we will see a greater recognition by local consortia that pharmacy is an integral part and an effective part of how they can deliver services better, for example minor ailments and medicines’ use reviews”
“Through local authorities we will also be delivering local health improvement strategies, they can and should be developing preventative work with pharmacists, like the health check or Chlamydia screening”
“Under the pharmacy contract we had simply not seen the development of those additional services that was intended, we need to ensure that the pharmacy contract delivers what all participants wanted which is fair and transparent funding for dispensing and an increasing opportunity for pharmacy to offer health services”
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Monday, July 12th, 2010
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/LiberatingtheNHS/index.htm
Judy Viitanen believes Lansley and the Government need to factor in safeguards to ensure GPs are competent and appropriately incentivised to commission health services! A total focus on a medical model to revolutionise NHS services could risk diluting the great potential and benefits of other primary care services - community pharmacy, optical services, dentistry etc - and their valuable role in public health.
We were amused by Burnham’s quote that ‘PCTs are screwed’ in response to Lansley statement!
We are especially pleased that “Patients will be in charge of making decisions about their care.” … and their carers. 
Implications
implications for all health organisations in the NHS and very significant changes for PCTs and SHAs: PCTs will go by April 2013! Many staff will be worried … Thank God we have an end to tick-box targets! GP commissioning to be compulsory and ‘management allowances’ to fund it.
- patients at the centre of the NHS
- empowering clinicians and GPs in particular
- refocusing the NHS on outcome measurement.
The key highlights of the document, entitled Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, are listed below:
· Put patients right at the heart of decisions made about their care
· Put clinicians in the driving seat on decisions about services
· Focus NHS on delivering health outcomes comparable with, or even better than, those of our international neighbours
· Introducing an Outcomes Framework to set out what the service should achieve leaving the professionals to develop how
· General Practices responsibility for commissioning NHS services
· Real, local democratic accountability to healthcare
· Reward commissioners for delivering care in line with quality
· The Outcomes Framework will be supported by clinically established quality standards
· Reform the payment system in the NHS
· Patients will be at the heart of the new NHS. Our guiding principle will be ‘no decision about me, without me’
· Extend ‘personal budgets’, giving patients with long-term conditions real choices about their care
· An independent and accountable NHS Commissioning Board will be established
· The Care Quality Commission will safeguard standards of safety and quality
· Detailed consultation documents will enable people to comment on the implementation of this strategy
· Ensure patients’ voices are heard, so we will establish ‘HealthWatch’
· All NHS trusts will become Foundation Trusts
· Reduce the Department of Health’s NHS functions
· Phase out the top-down management hierarchy
· Publish a report setting out the future of NHS-related quangos. Meaning a reduction of at least a 1/3
· Reduce the Department of Health’s NHS functions
· Patients will have choice over treatment options
· All GPs expected to join commissioning consortia by 2012, says the white paper
Strategy:
- The government will devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services to GPs and practice teams working in consortia.
- Every GP will be a member of a ’shadow’ consortium by 2011/12.
- Consortia will start taking on duties from 2012/13 and full financial responsibility from April 2013.
- Management allowances will be available to help fund commissioning.
- An independent and accountable NHS commissioning board will allocate and account for NHS resources.
- NHS commissioning board will calculate practice-level budgets and allocate these directly to consortia and will hold practices to account.
- GP consortia will include an accountable officer.
- Each consortium will hold its constituent practices to account.
- GP consortia will agree local priorities each year, taking account of the NHS Outcomes Framework.
- GPs will need to engage patients and the public in the commissioning process.
- Over time the DoH will seek to establish a single GP contract and funding model.
- PCTs and SHAs will be phased out.
- Patients will be able to choose which GP practice they register with regardless of where they live.
- The current performance regime will be replaced with separate frameworks for public health and social care.
- A new NHS Outcomes Framework will provide the direction for the NHS.
- The government will incentivise ways of improving access to primary care in disadvantaged areas.
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Monday, July 12th, 2010
The coalition government is set to launch its much anticipated NHS White Paper later today and with it major changes to the NHS system.
Amongst the main changes and market dynamics expected in the White Paper are:
- Compulsory commissioning for GPs
- Scrapping of PCTs and PECs
- NHS Board with regional offices will be established.
- Patients to have elected positions on boards
It’s likely that the White Paper will propose that around £80 billion should be handed directly to general practitioners who will then be given the power to invest the money in patient care as they see fit.
As a specialist healthcare communications and lobbying consultancy, PRimage is keen to see a new results-driven framework – which works for the benefits of patients. Labour’s top-down targets were way over the top and frustrated many primary healthcare professionals.
In our view it is crucial that Andrew Lansley and the Government stick to their plan to cut £1bn from NHS bureaucracy and use it to improve frontline services. It’s also spot-on to allow patients to be given more choice and control of their care.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010
Day Lewis Pharmacy Group – the UK’s largest independent pharmacy multiple - is urging people to keep hydrated, following official weather forecasts of high temperatures and a possible heat wave alert - which could pose health risks. Daytime temperatures could reach 29-30 degrees C, with a night-time minimum of 15-18 degrees C.
While most people enjoy a hot summer, it is important suitable precautions are taken. The heat is especially dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses. In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse. In extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Peter Glover, Day Lewis Superintendant Pharmacist, comments: “Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone in hot weather and if it isn’t treated it can lead to heatstroke, which can be dangerous and even fatal. To help prevent heat related illnesses during a heat wave, it’s best to stay in the shade wherever possible, and cool yourself down and stay hydrated by having plenty of water to hand, but avoiding caffeine and alcohol.”
Remember that if you must go out into the sun, to wear sun protection and comfortable clothing. It is important we follow the health guidelines, and look after both ourselves and the more vulnerable members of our community to ensure a safe and happy season for everyone.”
Top tips for coping during a heat wave include:
· Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade where possible.
· Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.
· Shut and shade windows when it is hotter outside and open them for ventilation when it is cooler outside.
· People with serious health problems (for example heart conditions), should avoid going out in the heat, especially between 11am and 3pm.
· Drink cold drinks like water or fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
· Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead with supplies – think of elderly neighbours who may need help with supplies.
· Identify the coolest room in the house to use as a room to cool down or sleep in.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, pale skin, and a high temperature. If you find yourself suffering from these, you should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water or fruit juice. If you can, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself down with cold water.
Contact your Day Lewis pharmacist, your doctor, or NHS Direct if you are worried about your health during a heat wave, especially if you are taking medication, if you feel unwell or have any unusual symptoms.
Day Lewis Pharmacies - Caring for our local communities
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
This is life affirming stuff – so Judy Viitanen thinks it’s worth sharing on the PRimage blog ….
- Take into account that great love and great achievements involve risk.
- When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
- Follow the three R’s: Respect yourself, Respect others and take Responsibility for all your action.
- Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
- Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly.
- Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
- When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
- Spend some time alone every day.
- Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.
- Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
- Live a good and honourable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
- A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
- In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation; don’t bring up the past.
- Share your knowledge; it is a way to achieve immortality.
- Be gentle with the earth.
- Once a year go to some place you have never been before.
- Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
- Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
- Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
We’ve just finished listening to the Queen’s Speech. 
Our view: the coalition is taking on an ambitious and challenging political programme! But we wish them success. David Cameron’s Con-Lib government aims to enact 22 separate bills over an 18-month period, as it attempts to build on the early goodwill towards the coalition. Nick Clegg will preside over a range of political reforms, including fixed-term parliaments and a bill to hold a referendum on changing the Westminster voting system to the so-called “alternative vote”.
Our interest as a healthcare communications agency means that we were looking for steers on the NHS. So, particularly important for health was that the voice of patients and the role of doctors in decision-making will be strengthened, with the aim of improving public health as well as reducing health inequalities. A Health Bill is expected to begin its legislative process in 2011. So there are sure to be a number of consultations to respond to - and plenty of opportunities for engagement in the coming months as the content of the Bill is decided. PRimage is looking forward to this - and to factor in our client’s interests and viewpoints.
MD, Judy Viitanen, is pleased that the overall thrust of the programme indicates that both the Tories and LibDems share a common interest in devolving power over public services to local people. We also give a ‘thumbs up’ for the news that the legislative programme include plans to create an Office of Budget Responsibility to produce independent economic forecasts and a shake-up of City regulation, giving the Bank of England greater powers in maintaining economic stability.
As a specialist healthcare public affairs and PR consultant, Judy is reassured that the Treasury has confirmed that the Department of Health’s overall spending will not be reduced in the current financial year. 
The Chancellor has announced £6.2bn would be saved from government spending during 2010-11, but none would come from the DoH. Health will have to make additional efficiency savings but they will be reinvested within the department.
For sure there will be tough and difficult times ahead; but the PM and deputy PM are right to focus on reducing the huge deficit as the most crucial challenge. 
We will be seeing an interesting 18-months of politics ahead ……..
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
This terrible news story today – ‘Schoolboy, 15, hangs himself after ‘being plagued by bullies’ http://bit.ly/dxZhDg - highlights the urgent need for the new coalition government to take action and deal with the issue of bullying, especially in schools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6dbJk4i0VY – Saving lives campaigning documentary is lobbying for affirmations in schools, to help deal with bullying and racism!
To find out more and to lend your support to this campaign, please contact: saving_lives@hotmail.co.uk or judy@primage.org
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Sunday, May 16th, 2010
PRimage believes that David Cameron has made an excellent decision in appointing the Labour MP Frank Field as the Government’s ‘poverty tsar’. Cameron is clearly putting the fight against deprivation at the heart of his agenda. As a compassionate Conservative, Judy Viitanen thinks this is exactly the right approach, and is very relieved to hear that Mr Field has been asked to lead a major review into levels of poverty across Britain. He is also expected to study how poverty should be measured in the future.
Field is a long-time champion of welfare reform, and an MP that Judy really admires!
PRimage is also pleased to see that a new ICM opinion poll published this morning shows a high level of public support for Mr Cameron’s coalition administration – and for its key policies on tax and political reform. Almost two-thirds of voters (64 per cent) thought that the Lib-Con coalition was the right way forward for Britain after the general election resulted in a hung parliament. It was backed by 87 per cent of those who voted Tory this month and 77 per cent of Lib Dem voters.
Overall, the Conservatives have gained one point since the election and are supported by 38 per cent of the public. The Lib Dems, by contrast, have slipped significantly, down three points to 21 per cent. Labour have gained three points to 33 per cent.
Let’s hope that this “trust” between the Tories and the Lib Dems and the electorate continues!
However, PRimage hopes that Cameron will keep to his Conservative pledges on defence, immigration and Europe. Watch this space.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Judy Viitanen has been reviewing the Tories election manifesto - ‘Invitation to Join the Government of Britain’ – and is liking what she reads!
As a specialist healthcare consultancy, PRimage is interested in the plans to strengthen the power of GPs as patients’ expert guides through the health system by putting them in charge of commissioning local health services and giving them power to hold patients’ budgets. It’s encouraging to learn that the Party will ensure that funding decisions are made on the basis of need, and commissioning decisions according to evidence-based quality standards, by creating an independent NHS board to allocate resources and provide commissioning guidelines.
We also think that it’s great that the Conservatives recognise the input of the UK’s millions of carers, who look after relatives. 
Their plans will support carers, and those they look after, by providing direct payments to help with care needs and by improving access to respite care.
The Tories five main headline commitments for health:
1. Give patients more choice
Putting patients in charge of making decisions about their care, including control of their health records; spreading the use of the NHS tariff, so funding follows patients’ choices; and, making sure good performance is rewarded by implementing a payment by results system.
2. Trust healthcare professionals
The Conservatives intend to scrap the politically-motivated targets that have no clinical justification. They will set NHS providers free to innovate by ensuring that they become autonomous Foundation Trusts. They will cut the cost of NHS administration by a third and transfer resources to support doctors and nurses on the frontline.
3. Increase access to vital drugs and services
They will stop the forced closure of A&E and maternity wards, so that people have better access to local services, and give mothers a real choice over where to have their baby, with NHS funding following their decisions. We will create local ‘maternity networks’ to ensure that mothers can safely access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
4. Take control of your care
They will devolve control over health budgets to the lowest possible level, “For people with a chronic illness or a long-term condition, we will provide access to a single budget that combines their health and social care funding, which they can tailor to their own needs.” They will also support carers, and those they look after, by providing direct payments to help with care needs and by improving access to respite care
5. A healthier nation
The Department of Health will become a Department for Public Health so that the promotion of good health and prevention of illness get the attention they need. They will also:
· Introduce a health premium – weighting public health funding towards the poorest areas with the worst health outcomes;
· Enable welfare-to-work providers and employers to purchase services from
· Mental Health Trusts; and,
· Increase access to effective ‘talking’ therapies.
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