Overcome the Elevation: 4 Tips to Help You Beat Altitude Sickness
Even though altitude sickness usually isn’t a life-threatening problem, the symptoms can make everyday activities practically unbearable. If you plan on being at a high altitude in the near future, then you might want to come up with a plan for battling altitude sickness so that you can continue to function normally.
Acclimate Slowly
One of the most effective ways to avoid altitude sickness entirely is to acclimate as slowly as possible. Those who plan on engaging in physically strenuous activities at a high altitude should try to arrive a few days early. While every person is slightly different, the average individual is going to almost fully acclimate to a high altitude within one to three days. After a few days, your body should begin producing plenty of additional red blood cells.
Boost Your Carbohydrate Intake
As your body acclimates to the new altitude, it is going to burn an incredible amount of calories. If you traditionally follow a low-carbohydrate diet, then you might want to make some temporary changes. Eating plenty of carbohydrates throughout the day should minimize the symptoms of your altitude sickness and provide you with plenty of energy.
Try Canned Oxygen
Another tactic that could help you relieve some of the symptoms of altitude sickness is using a pure canned oxygen supplement. Those cans will provide you with a quick dose of concentrated oxygen, and that can mitigate the symptoms almost immediately. Canned oxygen is going to be especially beneficial if you don’t have time to acclimate to the new altitude. You should also consider packing a few of those cans in your backpack or gear bag if you plan on hiking or camping.
Stay Hydrated
One of the most common mistakes that people make when dealing with altitude sickness is not drinking enough water. Because of your nausea, keeping anything in your stomach could be very difficult, but you must make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. That being said, drinking too much water can be dangerous as well, and that is why you should keep a close eye on the color of your urine. Urine that is relatively clear usually means that you are adequately hydrated.If you have tried these few problems and are still struggling with altitude sickness, then you might need to see a medical professional. Chronic altitude sickness can be caused by serious underlying healt
WellCan, free digital mental health resource for Canadians, available online and in app stores
Canadians can now access a free hub of digital resources to improve their mental health during COVID-19
TORONTO, April 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, the organizations that launched WellCan – a free collection of digital resources to support mental health – announced that it is now available to all Canadians. Individuals can access an extensive range of digital mental health resources by visiting the WellCan website or by downloading it from the Apple app store. It will be available in the Google app store in the coming days.
WellCan is a single point of contact for Canadians who are looking for information on mental health and where they can find free mental health resources in the community. Established through a unique partnership of leading organizations, WellCanprovides Canadians with the support they need to navigate challenges brought on by COVID-19, build resiliency and develop healthy coping mechanisms for the future.
"We are proud to have come together with leading organizations to ensure the mental health of Canadians remains a priority in this time of crisis," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer, Morneau Shepell. "It is the responsibility of industry leaders to step up and do what's right for Canadians, and we're grateful to be a part of this important program."
As physical distancing measures remain in place, long-weekend plans to gather with family and friends have been put on hold and many Canadians will feel a strong disconnect from loved ones. Providing Canadians with a digital resource to support their mental health as they navigate a growing number of challenges associated with distancing from friends and family is critical during this time.
WellCan is supported and promoted by corporate partners Canada Life, Sun Life and Bell Canada/Bell Let's Talk and Morneau Shepell, and community and public sector partners WE, jack.org, Strongest Families Institute, EHN Canada and Mental Health Commission of Canada.
About Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell is the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver an integrated approach to employee well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. Morneau Shepell is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.
SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.
Kingsdown Group Converted Three of its Plants into a Manufacturer of Hospital Beds to Assist During COVID-19 Pandemic
MEBANE, NC, SHAWINIGAN, QC and TORONTO, April 9, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Luxury bedding brand Kingsdown (producing also in Québec under the brand Zedbed) is shifting its regular mattress production capabilities to manufacture beds for use in health care facilities, temporary health care outposts and treatment facilities to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic. The changeover has been completed to produce hospital beds in three of the company's factories located in Mebane, North Carolina, USA, Toronto, Ontario and Shawinigan, Quebec in Canada. We estimate that 40% of our workers at the plants would be able to keep their jobs as we launch this new production.
"In only 5 days, we managed to implement a secure local supply chain capable of supplying the American and Canadian governments with a new hospital bed concept," says David Gelinas, V.P. Zedbed, div. of Kingsdown. "Kingsdown has been manufacturing mattresses in North America for over 100 years and our products are sold around the world. We want to do our part to help with this global crisis and have set up our factories to manufacture hospital and emergency-care grade beds," said Frank Hood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingsdown. "We're reaching out to the hospital systems throughout North America to assess their needs to ensure we can meet them during this public health crisis. We are able to deliver mattresses or beds anywhere they may be needed in North America and stand ready to do our part to help," says Mike James, Chairman of the Board of Kingsdown.
Kingsdown has expanded its capabilities to help meet current demand for treatment and recovery beds. Changes include expedited production of its Care Xpress™ program, which includes medical-grade mattresses and specialized motion bed frames. The new program includes the Medical Vinyl Xpress™ Mattress, which is available in three profile heights, and the Motion Care Xpress™ adjustable base. The mattress features a poly core covered in a medical vinyl that is flame resistant and features anti-fungal properties. The motorized adjustable bed base features side rails and is crafted of melamine and steel and accommodates a variety of positions for optimum comfort. In addition to the adjustability of the bed, the base features telescoping legs for three different height positions – 9, 11 and 13 inches.
The Kingsdown Group is committed to providing mattresses and beds that will meet safety and healthcare standards and will function with the adjustable beds in medical centers. We are ready to work with our suppliers and partners to accommodate custom needs as they arise.
"For a company whose core values are comfort, support and well-being, it's a natural move for us to help out any way we can," Hood added.
Kingsdown Group, formed by the combination of Kingdown Inc. founded in 1904 in Mebane, North Carolina, Owen and Company (Kingsdown Canada) from Toronto and Zedbed inc. based in Shawinigan, is a manufacturer of premium mattress systems serving leading retailers globally. Each product is manufactured using handcrafted techniques combined with state-of-the-art materials and equipment, and constant reinvestments into our research and development department. Kingsdown's US headquarters are in Mebane, North Carolina, its Canadian Headquarters are in Toronto, Ontario and Zedbed operates out of Shawinigan, Québec. --- Visit:
As smaller hospitals get overwhelmed with covid-10 patients in need of ventilators, there is an easy way to modify commonly found bi-level positive air pressure (BIPAP) machines to act as ventilators.
Dr. Keith Robinson is available to explain how Syneos Health is providing free training materials for health professionals to learn how to convert BiPAP machines into ventilators. The critical shortage of ventilators is causing physicians to make difficult decision about which patients will receive ventilator treatment. BiPAP machines are in ready supply in most hospitals and to save as many lives as possible during this pandemic, the FDA has stated that it will not object to modifications such as the use of a BiPAP machine as a ventilator, and the American Hospital Association is supporting the training. Dr. Robinson can demonstrate how commonly used bi-level positive air pressure (BiPAP) machines can act as ventilators in some COVID-19 patients with simple changes of BiPAP settings, including the use of intubation instead of a regular oxygen mask. He’s currently working in the ICU at a hospital in Florida and is also training teams there on using the BIPAP machines as ventilators. A free website has been set up for medical professionals to learn how to adapt their existing BiPAP machines to bridge the gap until more mechanical ventilators come on the market: www.COVID-BiPAPinfo.com and you can use the b-roll in the video for your story.
About Dr. Keith Robinson — Keith Robinson is Medical Director with the Medical Management & Scientific Services group of Syneos Health. Keith is a board certified Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine physician with over 14 years of clinical experience. Before Syneos, Keith worked as an Intensivist and Pulmonary Medicine Consultant with Pulmonary Physicians of South Florida, LLC, serving as Medical Director of Fusion Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Wellness for 7 years. His professional activities include 10 years of clinical research, as a principle investigator, in pneumonia, asthma, COPD, and pulmonary hypertension trials. In addition, Keith has spent 10 years as a consultant and advisor to Astra Zeneca, Mylan, Theravance, Sunovion, Actelion, and CAIRE Industries.
Cannabis in the Wake of COVID-19: Eight Industry Trends From Sustainable Cultivator Autumn Brands
Amid drastically shifting business landscape, Autumn Brands shares what to expect from an industry poised for progress
LOS ANGELES, California – (April 9th, 2020): In many ways, 2020 is the year of cannabis, and 50% woman-owned Autumn Brands is at the forefront of a rising ethical and sustainable growth movement. Backed by decades of hard-won sustainable farming expertise, Autumn Brands stands out as a sixth-generation, multi-family-run operation with a meticulous cultivation approach that ensures a high quality, pesticide-free product from start to finish. Now, in the midst of COVID-19 and a drastically shifting business landscape as Cannabis has been deemed ‘Essential’ across multiple states and local municipalities, the holistically-focused brand dives into eight major industry trends to watch.
Diminishing Stigma: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have all formally announced Cannabis businesses are ‘Essential’ during this pandemic. People are developing new habits and behaviors that will permanently shape how they do things moving forward. They are rethinking their jobs, their families health and wellness regimes, and how they get through a crisis. Cannabis is at the forefront of that conversation and behavior shift. As shared knowledge about cannabis grows - along with its customer base - the general public is warming up to this once-feared and misunderstood plant. Consumers who once balked at the idea of smoking marijuana, associating it with all sorts of negative connotations, are better grasping its benefits. Meanwhile, celebrity personalities like Top Chef’s Joe Sasto are introducing inventive, community-focused ways of safely introducing marijuana to various segments of the population.
Legislature: The most important bills to get passed right now are those that involve the health and wellness of humanity and provide stimulus to the economy. Cannabis is an Essential business and therefore should be able to operate in the safest and healthiest manner. Now is the time for the legislature to pass the Safe Banking Act in order to provide commercial lending and eliminate the need for cash transactions. Most Cannabis businesses and consumers are still required to pay in cash, which can carry unsuspecting germs posing a health risk to patients, consumers and operators. This also forces consumers to go to an ATM/Bank to get cash prior to making a trip to the dispensary. The federal government has a responsibility to make Cannabis legal and overturn Tax Code 280E. The IRS needs all the tax dollars they can get in order to stimulate the economy and while 280E brings in an excess of taxes hindering a small amount of businesses, it could bring in greater tax revenue as a whole if more cannabis businesses were able to operate throughout the United States.
Pay it Forward: During this pandemic, Essential Businesses have the opportunity to continue operating under strict new operating procedures. So its important that the employees and non-essential businesses are taken care of. Autumn Brands is part of a group of local Cannabis Farmers called CARP Growers that is doing just that. The different farms are rotating purchasing lunches twice per week for all their employees from the local restaurants ensuring these community businesses can also keep the lights on, while taking care of the hard-working employees at the same time. They are also part of a fund called 93013fund.org that provides meals to the food bank and other community members in need.
Research: We will likely see new research into unknown cannabinoid effects and how, together with terpenes, this plant can help so many more people. Right now, we only have an understanding of a few of more than 100 cannabinoids. Although 33 states legalized marijuana in some form, the amount of beneficial knowledge available is minimal at best, due to its federally illegal status. However, we are already starting to see more Congressional Bills and research labs taking time to dive deeper into understanding Cannabis and its benefits.
Social Injustice: As education around cannabis grows during this pandemic and more states legalize, the demand will increase to free those incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses. More states will likely implement programs allowing for their release and record clearing, particularly as more opportunities develop to make an honest living in the cannabis industry.
Cannabis Topicals: We will see a large increase in topical product development and sales this year. Athletes, baby boomers, and general consumers are starting to understand and appreciate the benefits of topicals (such as lotions and balms) made with THC. These products can significantly reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and heal skin ailments without producing a high.
Sustainable and Ethical Grow Techniques: 2020 is the year of health. Consumers want to know where products are sourced, and sustainable growing practices are ranking high on their list of criteria for choosing what goes into their bodies. Cannabis absorbs everything in its environment, making it essential to ensure a clean, pesticide-free approach, and ethical growers like Autumn Brands are leading the industry in this regard.
Virtual Technology: As more states legalize the use of marijuana in some form, technology will likely play a large role in dispensaries’ interaction with consumers. Apps like Weedmaps, Kushy, and Budly are popping up in major cities to seamlessly connect consumers with product. Online ordering for curbside pick-up is also becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 and social distancing measures.
Discover Autumn Brands’ top-notch collection of sustainably sourced, farm-to-consumer flower, pre-rolls, and pre-filled cartridges at select California dispensaries and online at www.AutumnBrands.com. Follow on Instagram @AutumnBrands for the latest product releases and updates.
About Autumn Brands:
Autumn Brands is a licensed California cannabis cultivator dedicated to the synergy of health and wellness. The Autumn Brands’ family farm started in Holland more than a century ago, and today, sixth-generation farmers apply the same expertise garnered in growing the world’s finest tulips to producing pure and potent strains of cannabis in sunny, coastal Santa Barbara County. Autumn Brands is proud to be 50 percent woman-owned, united by the vision of two families, free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. For more information, visit www.autumnbrands.com or email leighanne@anderson-pr.com.
Precision Biomonitoring Partners with Shared Value Solutions to Bring COVID-19 Point-of-Need Testing Capabilities to Northern Indigenous Communities
Collaboration to Provide Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips to Communities in Northern Ontario
GUELPH, ON and MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Precision Biomonitoring, an industry leader in offering point-of-need molecular detection tools for rapid results on the spot, has announced its partnership with Guelph-based environmental consulting firm, Shared Value Solutions, to bring its point-of-need SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips and rapid mobile detection device to Indigenous communities in northern Ontario, in response to COVID-19.
"We are all in this together," says Dr. Mario Thomas, CEO, Precision Biomonitoring. "For Canada to be successful in both flattening the curve and eventually combatting the virus, we need to ensure that all Canadians are receiving access to necessary tools, especially communities who are most vulnerable. Our rapid point-of-need solution is designed to do just that."
At present, the delivery of COVID-19 test results can take up to seven days in northern road-connected communities and can take even longer in more remote communities. With the ability to administer nine tests per hour at the point-of-need and deliver results in about 60 minutes, the 1.2 kg battery-operated, mobile COVID-19 test solution will help to increase testing speed and capacity.
Precision Biomonitoring's SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips are currently awaiting expedited approval from Health Canada. Shared Value Solutions is hopeful that it will be able to provide this testing technology to northern Indigenous communities in Ontario and across Canada in the near future, immediately following Health Canada approval.
The collaborative efforts of Precision Biomonitoring and Shared Value Solutions will help to address the growing number of cases in First Nations and Inuit communities, as recently confirmed by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), while also supporting the federal government's commitment to the well-being of these vulnerable populations, as made evident by the new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs related to COVID-19.
"From creating a hand sanitizer supply chain for the north to offering free support to First Nations departments operating with limited capacity, we are doing everything we possibly can to support our clients' greatest needs during this crisis. This new rapid testing option fills a crucial part of that need," says Scott Mackay, CEO, Shared Value Solutions. "To be able to provide support alongside the dedicated team at Precision Biomonitoring, who already shares an interest in issues important to Indigenous communities, including environmental protection, makes us truly confident that this collaboration will provide the innovative care and testing desperately needed in these communities."
About Precision Biomonitoring Founded in 2016 by a team of scientists from the University of Guelph's Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Precision Biomonitoring provides TripleLock™ onsite eDNA surveillance platform solutions that give customers earlier detection of organisms for a more rapid response. Customers are any organizations that need onsite surveillance and rapid identification of any organism in any environment. The Precision Biomonitoring team is at the forefront of technological innovations in the genomics industry. Our vision is a world where we can identify any organism on the spot, in an instant, anywhere on the planet.
About Shared Value Solutions Shared Value Solutions (SVS) is an environmental and community development consulting firm based in Ontario with employees also based in British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick. Our team works for and with Indigenous nations across Canada, providing technical guidance, regulatory advice, environmental peer reviews, negotiation and business strategy, and various supporting studies in relation to resource and infrastructure projects in our clients' territories. Our company is made up of an interdisciplinary group of environmental scientists, planners, anthropologists and social researchers, and community engagement practitioners with a wide range of experience working for Indigenous communities, tribal councils and governments across the country. At the core of SVS's work is the integration of environmental, social, cultural, economic values, advocacy for community health and well-being, and the protection of the environment and Indigenous rights.
Therapists share techniques to care for mental health during COVID-19
(April 9, 2020) – Over the past few weeks, the lives of billions of people around the globe have been irrevocably changed. People are fearful that they will contract the virus, worried about finances and feeling isolated. Everyone is adjusting to changes to their daily routines and a sense of uncertainty as to what comes next.
“One thing that can really make a huge difference is to create a schedule for your day. Whether you are elderly, taking care of little kids, or are living alone, the world is not going to feel so big and scary when you have a to-do list.” She continues by suggesting that if you find yourself with extra free time, this can be a great opportunity to tackle a project you have long put off. In contrast, if you find yourself especially busy, she points out that it is important to schedule time for relaxation and self-care.
When feelings of anxiety arise, Shuman suggests using deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness. If you are able to go outside, try to spend time in nature every day, and mentions that exercise is also excellent for managing anxiety. She states, “Challenge yourself to stay present in the moment. Tune into your senses and observe what you are seeing or hearing. That helps quiet the mind and calm anxiety and depression.”
Because we are maintaining physical distance from others does not mean we need to practice emotional distance, Shuman says. She believes that connecting with others is more important than ever and suggests that calling, texting, or sending letters to relatives, friends, and neighbors can be very helpful. Another great option is to set-up virtual gatherings via videoconferencing.
Checking in on neighbors, especially people who are elderly or have health problems, is also helpful in staying connected. Shuman suggests to ask yourself, “Is there anything I could do to help them?” “Helping other people boosts your mental health,” says Shuman. Look for volunteer opportunities near you. Could you sew masks for healthcare workers? Read stories to children through video chat? Bring donations to a food bank?
Shuman advises to remember to follow regular guidelines for health. Fill up on vegetables, fruit, and lean proteins, and to try to avoid eating junk food as a way of coping with stress. It is also important to avoid turning to alcohol during this stressful time. Alcohol is a depressant, and additionally, excessive drinking can suppress the immune system.
She also suggests keeping a gratitude journal and starting the day by writing five things you are thankful for. They can be small things, such as the light falling on the carpet or the budding tree outside your window.
“Try to shift from worrying about the future to just noticing the present moment," says Shuman. "That’s the way the yogis have been maintaining calm for thousands of years.”
Media Design & Technology graduates from the University of Bradford deliver medical web apps in record time as part of Covid-19 response
New system to support NHS trust dealing with influx of new staff ‘being looked at nationally’
08 April 2020 Front end web developers, digital designers and content creators from the Working Academy, based at the University of Bradford, have swung into action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to produce user-friendly ‘apps’ and websites for the NHS that may save lives.The services are already being used by care providers and thousands of patients.One project involves the creation of an online portal - known as C-ARE (Crisis - assess | response | escalate) – for existing staff moving to critical departments like A&E and ICU and for the dozens of new staff joining the NHS in Bradford as part of the national response to coronavirus.It goes live today (Thursday April 9, 2020) and is already being considered for use in other NHS trusts.Another has seen a GP website overhauled to make it more responsive to patients wanting to engage online and a third is enabling cardiology consultants to conduct ‘virtual’ angina clinics, thereby removing the need (and risk) of them attending appointments in person.Head of the Working Academy, Simon Couth, who works closely with the Faculty of Engineering & Informatics, said the work had been completed in record time.“During normal times, web app development would take three to four months - we have completed the hospital ‘extranet’ C-ARE project in just three weeks.”The Working Academy, supported by the University’s digital health facility, the Digital Health Enterprise Zone, has been helping students from the Department of Media Design and Technology for a decade. It became a ‘spin out’ company two years ago, giving undergraduates and postgraduates the chance to work on ‘real world projects’ and be paid at the same time. It takes on between 60 and 70 projects a year, offering around 120 ‘learning opportunities’, including everything from high-end coding to shooting and producing video.Simon added: “The message is that the University of Bradford gives you the opportunity to work on real world projects that make a difference to people’s lives, now more than ever. What we have done with these three initial projects is to make existing services much more user friendly at a time when it is needed most.”Alastair Wood, associate dean of external relations at the Faculty of Engineering & Informatics, said: “This is another great example of ‘Making Knowledge Work’, the University’s motto, and in particular is a testament to the sector-relevance of the Faculty’s degree programmes and to the ability of our well-grounded students to engage rapidly and effectively to deliver real-world solutions to real-word problems that benefit health and well-being and the wider community.”The three projects are just part of the University of Bradford’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. So far, the university has donated PPE and ethanol to local hospitals and care homes, offered its cutting edge laboratory facilities to help with the production of ventilators and is offering ‘webinars’ for midwives.The three Working Academy Projects include:-C-ARE ‘Extranet’ for Bradford hospitals ‘could be used as a national template’ says NHS clinical entrepreneurDozens of returning doctors, recently graduated final year medical students and current NHS staff working in the six hospitals in the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) can now use a new mobile-based ‘extranet’ known as C-ARE (Crisis - Assess | Respond | Evaluate) to access key information about their new job roles, saving time, money and hopefully lives.Dr Maulik Gandhi is an orthopaedic consultant and NHS ‘clinical entrepreneur’ and one of those who commissioned the project.He said: “We approached the University of Bradford to help us with the mass ‘on-boarding’ staff. The objective was we need to train people and upskill others into new roles they might not be familiar with. During normal times, when you start a new job, you get an induction. At present, we do not have that time. We want to get as many people as possible ready for clinical care.”He added that in his role as an NHS clinical entrepreneur he has already had several conversations with colleagues in other trusts and national clinical bodies with a view to the Bradford system being used elsewhere.“I’m delighted with how the teams worked together in such a short time. It will make a difference here and if we can show it’s a success, it could be used nationally and even internationally.”Simon explained how the new ‘extranet’ works.“Previously, this information would have had to be accessed on an ‘intranet’ from a computer in the hospital building. We have made that information accessible to NHS staff before they start work, providing essential information so they can hit the ground running.”Vasiliki Delimpasi, who graduated from the Department of Media Design & Technology at the University of Bradford with a first class degree and now works for Booking.com, was lead developer on the C-ARE project.She said: “This project aims to help junior doctors/trainee medical staff in their first days of working in the Bradford Royal Infirmary Hospital, to help fight against the Coronavirus Pandemic. It makes me proud. The sense of achievement and the feeling we are giving back to the medical community is very fulfilling and I am happy to still be a part of the Working Academy.”New system creates an ‘access anywhere’ site offering crucial information to new NHS starters and those switching roles, giving them clear information on where to go on their first day, where to get PPE, contact numbers and standard operating proceduresSystem also offers a ‘mini facebook’ chat room for NHS staffNew system could be offered to other NHS trusts if successful in BradfordGP website given make-overWeb developers and designers from the University of Bradford’s Working Academy have used their skills to transform an existing GP website into a more user-friendly portal which has already been accessed by over a thousand patients.The Saltaire & Windhill Medical Partnership’s original site is not untypical of many GP practice websites with routes to access online services often hard to find. But by working with the staff and patient focus groups at the newly merged practice, Bradford’s Working Academy revamped the site, it has won plaudits from patients and GPs.Simon added: “We have always worked closely with the NHS and are now devoting much of our time to essential projects to help the health service with digital tools to better manage communication between staff and the public.”Virtual ‘cardio’ clinic could save livesThe Working Academy, based at the University of Bradford, has helped create an online portal for cardiology patients, helping reduce or remove entirely the need for them to attend appointments in person.Bradford Angina Service has been developed in conjunction with consultant cardiologists from Bradford Royal Infirmary. It is another service which could have wider potential.Consultant cardiologist Dr Paul Sainsbury, from BTHFT, explained: “The site is designed for a certain cohort of patients with a very difficult form of angina and there’s only three services across the UK that deal with it - Liverpool, Bradford and London - so there’s a great geographical inequality in access to the service, so having it online increases the availability of it.”Simon said: “It’s a nice example of a service being built solely around the user experience. You have to understand the user journey. It’s not about doing something just because the technology allows.The new service will be implemented and tested over the coming weeks. CONTACTPress OfficeJenny Watkinson j.watkinson2@bradford.ac.uk 01274 236030Mark Thompson m.thompson6@bradford.ac.uk 01274 236510Other press@bradford.ac.uk 01274 233089Out of hours 07500 762165ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDFounded in 1966, the University of Bradford is a world-leading technology university. It is a research-intensive institution, ranked in the top 50 in the UK for the quality of its research, with three quarters being classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University holds the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its pioneering work enabling people to live well with dementia. 92 per cent of our graduates went on to employment or further study within six months and the University is ranked top in the UK for undergraduate nursing and midwifery placement satisfaction. The University is also in the top 200 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education).Known for its strong emphasis on employability skills and knowledge transfer work with businesses, the University is also a leader in sustainable development and education, and is the 8th greenest University in world, according to UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2015.
Precision NanoSystems Appoints Dr. Andrew Geall as Chief Scientific Officer
VANCOUVER, April 8, 2020 /CNW/ - Precision NanoSystems (PNI), a global leader in enabling transformative nanomedicines today announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Geall as the company's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Geall has over 20 years' experience in the development of drug delivery systems and is a pioneer in the development of rapid response RNA vaccines.
"Dr. Geall is a scientific leader who brings industry knowledge and deep expertise in developing RNA nanoparticle vaccines and therapeutics. With so many working tirelessly on Coronavirus vaccines and COVID therapeutics Andy will be able to immediately impact PNI and our clients due to his wealth of knowledge," said Dr. James Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of PNI. "PNI is working with over 120 leading biopharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines, gene therapies, and small molecule formulations. Under Andrew's scientific leadership, we will accelerate our development cutting edge drug manufacturing and delivery technologies and build drug development collaborations with our partners."
Prior to joining PNI, Dr. Geall was RNA Vaccine Platform leader at Novartis Vaccines, where for 7 years he pioneered nanoparticle delivery of self-amplifying mRNA Vaccines in multiple disease targets and established the utility of the platform for pandemic rapid response. To support this work, Dr. Geall secured and was the Principle Investigator of a major contract from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. Most recently, Dr. Geall was member of Avidity Biosciences Executive Management Team, which established an antibody oligonucleotide conjugate platform, enabling clinical applications and collaborative partnerships in rare muscle diseases.
"Through my 20 years of developing advanced therapeutics, I have seen the challenges of transitioning nanomedicines research into development and then to patients. I have used the PNI platform in multiple projects and multiple companies since 2008. It represents a significant leap forward, allowing gene therapies, RNA vaccines, and advanced small molecule formulations to be rapidly developed and the platform is accessible to all drug developers," said Dr. Geall, CSO of PNI. "I have been on the PNI Scientific Advisory Board since 2017 and I'm very excited to have the opportunity to expand my role to work with the team and our global biopharmaceutical clients."
About Precision NanoSystems Inc.
Precision NanoSystems Inc. (PNI) proprietary NanoAssemblr Platform enables the rapid, reproducible, and scalable manufacture of next generation nanoparticle formulations for the targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to cells and tissues in the body. PNI provides instruments, reagents and services to life sciences researchers, including pharmaceutical companies, and builds strategic collaborations to revolutionize healthcare through nanotechnology. For more information, visit www.precisionnanosystems.com.
OTTAWA, April 8, 2020 /CNW/ - Today is the day! A life well lived is a life well planned.
April 16th is National Advance Care Planning Day, a day to promote conversations about your wishes and values for your future health care. While we are excited to share news surrounding ACP Day, we must first acknowledge the challenges that we are facing with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
As the WHO-declared pandemic, COVID-19 progresses, this is a very concerning time for many people with serious conditions and palliative care needs, as well as their families, friends and communities. The situation is ever-changing, and we encourage everyone to pay attention to the public health experts that are directing our response here in Canada.
Sharon Baxter, Executive Director of Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association states, "This is a challenging time for everyone and those working in hospice palliative care are being stretched but have repeatedly risen to the occasion to provide good care for those approaching death and supporting their family and friends during this time of grief and bereavement. We will continue to advocate for universal access, and we will stand together to benefit all." This mindset remains true for Advance Care Planning Day.
This year's Advance Care Planning Day is based on the theme that a Life Well Lived is a Life Well Planned. Laurel Gillespie, Director of the initiative says, "Having an Advance Care Plan will help to ensure your values and wishes are respected should you be unable to express them yourself one day. Today is the Day! Between 6 and 8 pm, take the opportunity to speak with your loved ones about your values, wishes and what is important to you."
Canadians have spoken, and although 80% of the population believes Advance Care Planning is important, less than 1 in 5 Canadians have an Advance Care Plan.
Talk to those around you. It's not always easy; some need help to begin these difficult conversations. The "Speak Up" initiative has a website (www.advancecareplanning.ca) full of information, tools, and prompts to help with starting these conversations. There are also links to resources for specific provinces and territories because the process of expressing values and wishes differs across the country.
New this year, we are hosting an online fireside chat. Join Yvonne Heath (Founder of the #IJustShowedUp movement) and Laurel Gillespie for a special virtual event at 4PM Eastern on April 16th. During this hour-long session, participants will learn about grief. Yvonne will share tips on how, even during physical distancing, we can Just Show Up for ourselves and each other. We are also excited to announce that Behind The Scenes, a short-form documentary focusing on the history of Advance Care Planning in Canada will begin airing this April. Hosted by Laurence Fishburne, the documentary will be broadcasted across Canada as well as the entirety of the United States. Another exciting project being released this year is a song called "Say", written and performed by award winning Canadian artist Tara Shannon. The Pan Canadian National Framework, as well as the Legal and Public Toolkits have also been updated and re-released.
Don't leave your loved ones in the space between guessing and knowing: have a conversation. A life well lived is a life well planned. You can share inspiring conversations and stories using the hashtags #ACPDay2020, and #YourCareYourWishes.
Advance Care Planning in Canada would like to recognize and thank our funders, Health Canada and GSK for their support throughout this initiative.
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is a member of the National Advance Care Planning Task Group, comprised of representatives from a number of organizations and professions across Canada.
SOURCE Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
