Health

FEARS of a catastrophe or a freezer failure have been calmed after reports of unusual goings on at the morgue.

The Gazette was contacted by worried readers who reported seeing dead bodies being carried onto four lorries at Uxbridge Mortuary, in Kingston Lane, Uxbridge.

AN ORGANISED walk will take place this weekend, taking in Hillingdon's beautiful canals.

HILLINGDON'S first annual awards ceremony for its GP's took place last week to reward their contribution to the community.

The awards, voted for by staff and patients, were presided over by Mike Whitlam CBE, acting chair of NHS Hillingdon, and presented by MP John McDonnell.

MEMBERS of the public can get their blood pressure checked in a shopping centre this week.

From 7th till 13th September it is 'Know your numbers week' which is where volunteers offer free blood pressure checks to the public.

IT is one year since residents were shocked to discover a drugs rehabilitation centre was being proposed on their doorstep- but it has been a surprise success.

Last August Hillingdon PCT proposed the rehabilitation centre in Belmont Road, Uxbridge, to the fury of nearby residents, who were worried for their safety.

A HEALTHCARE fair took place in the Mall Pavilions on Monday, with shoppers able to chat to qualified professionals about their aches and pains.

The day was one of three road shows which are being organised by Hillingdon PCT with the first taking place at the Civic Centre back in February.

Visitors were able to talk to NHS staff over a cup of tea or coffee and even get their blood pressure taken.

Leaflets were given out with important information, as part of the consultation, to ask the people of Hillingdon what they want from their healthcare services.

A MOTHER has spoken of her delight after unexpectedly delivering her baby at home.

Claire Cooper, 29, of Waterside, Cowley described how her husband was with her as she lay in the hallway giving birth to little Sophie who came into the world ten days early on February 12.

Mrs Cooper said: "I'd been having cramps all day but it was nothing major, I later woke up at 3am but the pain was still not that bad. But we called the hospital just to be on the safe side and they told me I was in the early stages of labour and to call them when the contractions were two minutes apart.

"I felt like I needed to go to toilet not realising it was the labour pains and when I got to the bathroom my water broke.

I shouted out to my husband and as I was walking in the hallway I stopped and told him 'I think there is something there.' When he looked down he saw the baby's head coming out."

She said he laid her down on the floor and put a towel round the baby and then put the baby on her stomach. He then called the ambulance and went to call their neighbour for support.

Mrs Cooper added: "It was so quick when I think about it and it was a really nice experience to have been able to give birth to my baby at home. Sophie will definitely be told about this story when she is older."

Frankie Ferhat, 51, neighbour said: "I'd heard noises and realised later that Matt had been tapping very lightly on my door because he didn't want to wake anyone, and then I heard the sounds of a baby crying from next door.

When I went to the house I pushed the door ajar and there was Claire lying on the floor with the baby on her tummy and Matt was crouched down still on the phone to the hospital, it was just amazing. It was just so nice, just the two of them, such a lovely intimate thing for them to have experienced."

BRUNEL University has been awarded a share of a million pound grant to lead research on a social taboo associated with ageing.

The Brunel Insitute for Ageing Studies (BIAS), will lead the three year project aiming at tackling ageing continence, one of the least socially accepted signs of ageing.

The project will ask how NHS treatments can be improved, how toilet facilities can be made more accessible, and how new technology can make continence problems easier and less stressful to manage.

The university was recently internationally recognised for the quality of its research, and joins together for this project with fellow universities, small companies and charities.

AN UXBRIDGE pub is appealing for its customers to donate toys for sick children who will be in Hillingdon Hospital over Christmas.

The Swan and Bottle pub, in Oxford Road, Uxbridge, would like customers to donate a toy when they go in for a drink or meal.

Prizes from local businesses have also been donated for a raffle to raise funds for the children's ward at Hillingdon Hospital in Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge.

Christmas coordinator at the pub, Stephanie Lockwood, said: "My daughter's doctor is the head of paediatrics at the hospital and when I was there I asked him whether many children stayed over Christmas and he said unfortunately many did. That's how we chose the charity."

Donated toys can be left at the pub during opening hours.