Radio Harrow have published the message below on behalf of the NHS Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group. Radio Harrow cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions in third party content.
World TB Day helped to raise public awareness on the serious impact that tuberculosis (TB) can have on a person’s health on Saturday 24 March.
Harrow has one of the highest numbers of people with TB in London reflecting a large migrant community from countries with a high risk of the condition. In our borough, over 200 people have been tested for latent TB since 2016, a form of TB where the immune system can’t kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body.
TB is spread by breathing in tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of someone already infected by the disease. It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the stomach glands, bones and nervous system. Symptoms of active TB include a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks, coughing up blood, a high temperature and night sweats. If you experience these symptoms you should see your GP immediately; TB is a serious condition but can be cured if it’s treated with the right antibiotics.
Dr Amol Kelshiker, Chair of NHS Harrow CCG, said:
“World TB Day is an important opportunity to highlight the devastating effects of the disease if left untreated.
“The number of people affected has dropped in recent years but London still has the highest TB rate of any city in Western Europe. Here at NHS Harrow CCG we are determined that our local population receives the best possible prevention and treatment for the condition.
“There is still a lot of stigma around TB but it is treatable with antibiotics and importantly is a free service.”
Latent TB doesn’t have any symptoms it could develop into active TB at a later stage. Regions with high rates of TB include Sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa and Southeast Asia, so people coming to the UK from these areas should consider testing for latent TB, especially if they have not been screened for TB in the past. A screening service for latent TB is available to patients visiting GP surgeries in the borough. Take a look at the World TB poster here to find out if you should contact your GP for a free TB screening. Posters in Arabic, Gujarati, Hindi, Somali, Tamil and Urdu languages.
For further information about the symptoms, causes and treatment for TB, please visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/. You can also find information about latent TB on The Truth About TB website at www.thetruthabouttb.org/latent-tb/
Anna, Andrew and Anish – “the three musketeers” of anxiety on Radio Harrow’s Thursday Harrow Team – bravely talk about anxiety on air.
Anish defines anxiety as a feeling of unease and a fear of worry, which can be mild or severe and which can start at any time and which can be temporary or permanent.
Andrew and Anish share the factors which have triggered their anxiety, such as uncertainty about the future, and remind us of some of the typical symptoms – a feeling of dizziness, unease and/or light-headedness, experiencing a shortness of breath or chest pains, and/or losing circulation in less essential areas such as the legs.
Panic attacks are one physical manifestation of anxiety and are a symptom with which Andrew and Anish are both familiar. They indicated that at first, panic attack sufferers might not be able to understand the symptoms and may feel as though they are suffocating or dying.
Both Andrew and Anish have seen therapist. Therapy is available both on the National Health Service (NHS) and privately. Therapy can either take the form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Counselling. CBT assists individuals in dealing with overwhelming problems in a positive way, by breaking them down into smaller parts and identifying ways to improve state of mind. However, Counselling enables patients to express their feelings and emotions. They will then assist in the process of finding solutions to the patients own problems. Prescription medications such as antidepressants are also available from Psychiatrists or General Practioniers (GPs) which can relieve the symptoms of anxiety.
However, both men identified other methods which they’ve used to control their anxiety. Andrew and Anish offered some helpful advice to sufferers to try for themselves. These include meditation, to assist in externalising fears about the future and internalising recognition of the here-and-now; listening to music; having a massage; distracting themselves with other things; and taking note of methods referenced within self-help guides.
Radio Harrow advise you talk to trusted ones and/or medical professionals should you begin to experience the symptoms of any mental health issue. Further information on typical symptoms of anxiety and depression are available on the NHS website.
Radio Harrow’s Louis is interrogated by Anna as he learns how to ride a bicycle having just turned 25. He talks about overcoming his unease about falling off. There’s always the occasional ‘ding’ of the bike to remind us that it’s all real.
Friday’s Harrow Today team interviewed Harrow resident Neeta Patel to discuss Kawasaki disease, a little heard-of strand of cancer which is more common than some types of meningitis. Pat Gill talks to Neeta about her son’s experiences and her efforts to raise awareness about the disease, in the hope of finding out the causes and solutions of the disease in the future.
In Mental Health Awareness week, Radio Harrow’s Anna Travers courageously shared her experiences on her depression. Describing depression as making her feeling overly-sensitive, vulnerable, isolated and secluded, she reminds us that, ultimately, depression is a mindset, and taking action to overcome negative feelings can help anyone to overcome the “sick, sinking feelings” which tend to dictate the actions of sufferers.
It’s always Time to Talk and Talk. The Harrow Today team reflect on depression being a cause of suicide, particularly in males aged 40 to 44, who are 3 to 5 times to take their own lives than women in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland respectively. Jonny Zucker, a Hemel Hempstead based children’s author, who has been described as cheerful and charismatic, lived with depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for two decades, and was one of many men who took their own lives as a result. His book ‘Striker Boy’ has since been re-released in a bid to raise money to charity for mental health charity Mind in a campaign which is given his wife Rachel hope, hoping that his words have inspired others.
Radio Harrow advise you talk to trusted ones and/or medical professionals should you begin to experience the symptoms of any mental health issue. Further information on typical symptoms of anxiety and depression are available on the NHS website.
The full list of nominations for the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) has now been published and we’ve been nominated for five categories (out of eight). The HBA is the national charity supporting and promoting hospital broadcasting within the UK. With members comprising hundreds of registered stations and thus thousands of volunteers, no doubt we will face some stiff competition at the 2018 awards ceremony, being held on 24th March 2018 in Windsor!
The categories for which Radio Harrow have been nominated are listed below. Click on the names to be directed to our Soundcloud page, where you can hear the submitted sound segments!
Best Speech Package – What is Hanukkah? By Brian Rose
Special Event – Local Radio Day
Best Newcomer – Anna Trevers
Best Programme with Multiple Presenters – Wednesday Night Patients’ Hour
Male Presenter of the Year – Tony McNab
You might recognise his voice on your mobile phone, or tablet, but did you know that Josh Briggs is in fact a broadcaster?
In an exclusive interview for Harrow Today, Andrew Bottcher spoke with Josh Briggs, and they discussed how the infamous role came about, as well as what it takes to make it in the media industry.
You can get in touch with the Harrow Today team by emailing studio@radioharrow.org
Steve Johnston, from ‘Be My Guest’ spoke with Roland Gift, the lead singer from the Fine Young Cannibals, on Radio Harrow. You can listen back to the interview below:
You can listen to ‘Be My Guest’ with Steve Johnston every Sunday on Radio Harrow.
Brian Rose, from ‘In A Classical Mood’ took the short trip to Harrow Arts Centre to interview the cast of the Wizard of Oz ahead of the seasonal pantomime’s opening night. You can listen back to the interview below:
You can listen to ‘In A Classical Mood’ with Brian Rose every Saturday evening from 6pm on Radio Harrow
Based in the Borough, and founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area, Harrow Foodbank has distribution centres in South Harrow, and Wealdstone. The foodbank was founded in 2013, and has provided foodbank services for over 4 years. You can find out how to donate via their website.
Malcom Clarke spoke with Nick Addington from Harrow Food Bank.
Details of the Harrow Foodbanks last distributions can be found on their website.
During the Christmas period, Harrow Foodbank’s last Distributions will be at Holy Trinity Church, Wealdstone, High Street on Tuesday 19th December, then St Paul’s Church, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, on Wednesday 20th December and then Holy Trinity Church on Friday 22nd December – all from 1 pm to 3 pm.
After the above dates the Foodbank will be closed until Wednesday 3rd January 2018 when Distributions will be as normal: that is on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm – St Paul’s Church on Wednesday and Holy Trinity Church on Fridays and Tuesdays.
The annual Harrow Christmas Party was conducted in style during the last weekend of November, with a live extravaganza in the heart of Harrow Town Centre. From the Saturday morning, the Town Centre saw a busy rush of activity with a stage being set up outside the Royal Oak pub ahead of the afternoon of festivities and entertainment.
During the afternoon, on stage entertainment was conducted by Radio Harrow’s very own Brian Rose, and Hansa Varsani
Come along and join us, the festivities are underway at @HarrowTown #harrowChristmasParty pic.twitter.com/r3smASUMlE
— Radio Harrow (@radioharrow) November 25, 2017
The afternoon featured live performances from Harrow Arts Centre, Radio Harrow’s very own House Band, ‘The Volunteers’, the Dhol Drummers, and dance group, Kideology.
Special guest Sajan Shah from BBC’s The Apprentice took part in the celebrations, which culminated with the switching on of the Christmas Lights in the Town Centre followed by a fireworks display.
We will be updating this page with photos from the day over the next few days!
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