Self-harm Hospital Admission Fgures Revealed

Children who self-harm have been admitted to hospital more than 7,000 times in the past decade, Scottish government figures have revealed. They also showed admissions among the over 16s had topped 160,000 since 1999. The statistics were branded "astonishing" by the Lib Dem health spokesman Ross Finnie, who obtained them through a parliamentary question. Public Health Minister Shona Robison said an extra £5.5m would be invested in mental health services by 2011-12. She said this would lead to an estimated 15-20% increase in specialist staff. Mr Finnie said mental health support had increasingly been provided in the community over the past 10 years but claimed that a report by auditors found that funding had not been shifting from hospital to community care. He said: "An Audit Scotland report published last year warned that there are long waits to access certain services, particularly services for younger and older people, and there is a lack of out-of-hours and crisis services in some areas. "This was backed up by a more recent report into child and adolescent mental health which warned about the prevalence of self-harm and the lack of systematic support. "The health secretary needs to act on these figures and address the concerns about mental health services outlined by Audit Scotland." The statistics - which cover 1999-2009 - showed that across all of Scotland's health board areas, there were 7,126 hospital admissions for self-harm among the under 16s.The figures peaked in 2000-01 when they reached 776 but have levelled off in recent years, reaching a figure of 563 in 2008-09. Among the over 16s, there were 160,668 admissions in the same 10-year period.

'Tackling This'

Again, the figures peaked near the start of the decade, with 16,168 over 16s admitted in 2002-03. The latest figures, for 2008-09, showed there were 14,469 hospital admissions.Cases can cover patients being transferred between hospitals, specialties or to the care of a consultant, so a single patient can trigger multiple episodes.Ms Robison said: "We are aware of the extent of the issue of self-harming and are committed to tackling this. "We are committed to improving access to both community and in-patient mental health services and we see increasing the specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) workforce as key to this." She said she expected the additional £5.5m to lead to a 15-20% increase in CAMHS staff. "This increased workforce will help NHS boards deliver our new waiting time target for access to specialist CAMHS, meaning no-one will wait longer than 26 weeks by March 2013 at the latest," she added.

'Higher Risk' of Lung Cancer From Smoking First Thing

Smokers who light up on waking display higher levels of nicotine than those who wait, regardless of the number of cigarettes smoked, US research shows. Scientists measured smokers' levels of cotinine, a by-product of nicotine which has been shown to reflect the risk of developing lung cancer. Waiting until you had eaten breakfast reduced the amount of this chemical. The team from Penn State College says their study suggests the earlier smokers may need more help to give up.
The reasons for the differing levels were unclear, but are thought likely to reflect a more intense way of smoking among those who light up first thing - as their need may be greater than those who can wait. More than 250 healthy people who smoked every day were included in the study, which was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

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Latest News

Shoppers Still Unaware Where Salt Is Hidden
Almost three quarters of people in Wales (71%) are not aware that bread and breakfast cereals are among the top salt-contributing foods in our diet, reveals a new Food Standards Agency survey.

To read more information about the survey please Click Here.

Stroke Saver Website Launch
A new symptom awareness website for stroke has been launched. The website, developed by the NPHS and Wales Centre for Health, aims to provide people with the necessary knowledge to recognise the signs of a stroke and become a ‘stroke saver’.

To visit the website please Click Here.

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Age Concern Launch a Big Lift for Older People’s Physical Activities in Wales

Older people across Wales will soon be able to benefit from a tailor made physical exercise programme called LIFT or Low Impact Functional Training. It offers older people the chance to take part in a series of low impact activities and games which they can do either standing or sitting. Over the next few months LIFT Leader training workshops will be held at different venues throughout Wales.

For more information contact Glenn Little on 029 2043 1546.

Email: Glenn.little@accymru.org.uk

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Cycle4Sanity Fun Bike Rides Held!

Cyle4Sanity riders set out at Aberdare

Cycle4Sanity held its fun bikes rides on Saturday 3rd October 2009. The cycle rides offered took place from Aberdare to Abercynon, Aberdare to Pontypridd or even Aberdare to Cardiff. The Event is used to raise awareness of Mental Health Issues and Promote the Benefits of Physical Activity. Despite the weather, cyclists braved the rain with all reaching their destinations. More cycling events will be held throughout the year as part of New Horizons calendar. Councilor Mike Forey, Cabinet member for Health and Adult Services said" It was great to see so many people turn out despite the weather in order to join the rides and show us all the benefits of physical exercise" I know Cycle4Sanity has lots more planned and I urge people to visit the website and find out more - maybe even get involved. The Cyle4Sanity website is http://www.cycle4sanity.co.uk/

New Item added to Ebay!

Eve Myles Original Signed Photo Card

A stunning 14.8cm x 10.5cm (A6) colour photo card which has been HAND SIGNED by Eve Myles who plays Gwen Cooper in British sci-fi TV programme Torchwood.

The Welsh actress has autographed the photo card bold and clear in black marker.

The card is in Excellent Condition and was donated to our charity.

See Photographs showing front and back of card.

Eve Myles history below (Not included on card)

Her television roles have included appearances in EastEnders, the television film Score, and the Doctor Who episode The Unquiet Dead. However, she is currently best known for her roles as Gwen Cooper in the Dr Who spin-off Torchwood and as Ceri Lewis in the BBC Wales drama Belonging, a character that involves playing a mother, wife and business woman all at the same time. In 2002 and 2003 Eve was nominated for Best Actress in the BAFTA Cymru Awards for her role as Ceri Lewis in the BBC Wales drama Belonging. She also played Lavinia in the 2003 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Titus Andronicus. In 2005, she appeared opposite Michael Gambon in Henry IV. Dr Who writer Russell T. Davies said that he is a great admirer of her work. The part of Gwen cooper in Torchwood was written especially for Eve. In 2008 Eve won best actress at the Bafta Cymru Awards for her role as former police officer Gwen in the murky Cardiff-based Torchwood.

Low Starting Price

Thank You For Bidding

End Date: 01 Oct 2009 20:00:03 BST

To view Item Click Here

All Proceeds Go To: -

Reg Charity: 1066601

New Horizons

44-49 Cardiff Street

Aberdare

CF44 7DG

Two New Items Added to Ebay!

BID FOR A SIGNED NICOLE COOKE PHOTOGRAPH CARDAND SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF ACTING LEGEND MICHAEL SHEEN

SIGNED NICOLE COOKE PHOTOGRAPH CARD

The card is originally signed and is not pre-printed
The card was donated to our Charity by Nicole Cooke.
The card contains information on both sides such as
D.O.B. 13/04/1983

Nationality: GBR (Welsh)
Olympic Champion Gold 2008
World Road Race Champion 2008
World No.01 UCL Ranking 2006
Tour de France 2007/2006
Giro D'tallia 2004
World Cup 2006/2003
Commonwealth Games Gold 2002
The card is in Excellent Condition

Starting bid: £0.99
Ends: 29 Aug, 2009 20:00:00 BST

To View Item Click Here

See Photographs
Low Starting Price
Thank You For Bidding

SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF ACTING LEGEND MICHAEL SHEEN

Item is not a pre print, autopen, copy etc.
Genuinely hand signed!
The Photograph is in Excellent Condition
Item will be posted Via Recorded Delivery
This item was donated to our Charity.

To View Item Click Here

See Photographs
Low Starting Price
Thank You For Bidding

All PROCEEDS FROM BOTH ITEMS GO TO : -

Reg Charity: 1066601
New Horizons
44-49 Cardiff Street
Aberdare
CF44 7DG