Winter is underway, and the drop in temperature is here to remind you! By now, you may be tackling tight or dry skin, chapped lips rough knuckles and itchy scalps. It’s official… Winter can certainly wreak havoc on your skin’s health! 

These skin care woes might be the bane of your existence during this chilly time, so we have asked renowned dermatologist, Dr Christopher Dobson for top tips on keeping blustery conditions from bothering your skin. 

What Happens to Your Skin in the Winter?

Winter is not only known for introducing new skin issues, but it’s famous for causing flare-ups in those already living with certain skin conditions.

This is in part due to Filaggrin, one of the most important proteins in our skin for maintaining the barrier function and natural moisturizing factors.

During the winter, the levels of Filaggrin decrease, and when this is combined with the dry cold weather, low humidity, and indoor heating that dehydrates our skin, it leads to an unhappy complexion and the worsening of skin conditions for many people.

Here are five common winter skin issues that may worsen during the wintertime.

Eczema

Eczema is a common skin condition. The most common form, atopic eczema, affects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults in the UK. Characterized by inflamed, red, itchy patches of skin, eczema is caused by a combination of immune system activation, environmental triggers, and stress. Cold dry weather can trigger eczema flares in winter. 

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches on the skin, which flare up for a few weeks or months before subsiding or going into remission. The most common sites for psoriasis are your knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. Cold weather and decreased sunlight can cause worsening psoriasis in the winter. 

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin condition causing blushing or flushing in your face and eyes. Rosacea may flare up for weeks or months before subsiding or going into remission. If left untreated, rosacea can lead to permanent damage to the skin and eyes. Cold weather is a common trigger for many.

Chilblains

Chilblains are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold air. Symptoms include itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet. 

Windburn

Windburn is a common problem in winter. Caused by cold temperatures and wintry air which sucks the moisture out of our skin. This causes blood vessels near the surface to expand, which reddens the skin in much the same way that sunburn does.

Importance of Winter Skin Care

During the winter, skin tends to lose moisture and oil due to a lack of humidity in the air, harsh weather and of course, central heating. 

These conditions cause dryness and dehydration which in turn, may lead the skin to become dry, itchy, flaky tight or sensitive. 

If you’re noticing some of these symptoms, we recommend changing your skincare routine during the colder month to keep your skin happy, healthy and hydrated. 

Winter weather is certainly tough on your skin, but these top ten tips from Dr Dobson should get you through the rest of the season! 

Moisturize Frequently

When it comes to looking after dry, itchy winter skin, it’s all about moisture. This one might seem obvious, but moisturizing your skin is crucial for keeping it hydrated throughout the winter. 

A thicker and richer moisturizer can be used to replace as much as possible of that lost water and help to lock it into the skin. 

Moisturizing just after washing is not only comforting but helps add a protective layer to keep your skin looking smooth and hydrated, reducing the appearance of blemishes, while plumping up fine lines and wrinkles. 

For winter, use a gentle moisturizer at least twice a day after cleansing- in the morning and before bed at night to keep your skin soft and supple. 

Switch to Hydrating Cleansers

During the winter months, avoid harsh cleansers on the face. We want to make sure a gentle cleanser is being used, something nice and hydrating.

As a rule of thumb, any cleanser that leaves you ‘squeaky clean,’ is stripping the skin of natural moisture.

Anything that is relatively aggressive – maybe it has a high salicylic acid content – is going to cause further moisture loss and irritated skin. Switch to gentle, hydrating, fragrance-free cleansers for daily cleansing and to remove makeup. 

Limit Hot Showers

Winter weather brings the desire for long hot showers, but hot water will only further dry out your skin.

When it comes to dry, itchy skin on the body, one of the quickest changes you can make is lowering the temperature in the shower, as well as limiting the duration.

Limit showers to 15 minutes and use lukewarm water to avoid irritating your skin. 

Avoid Harsh Scrubs and Scented Products

Your skin is dealing with unusually high levels of inflammation so try not to beat it up any further with a physical exfoliator. Loofahs, bath mitts, and gritty scrubs can irritate dry skin and lead to eczema flares. Avoid these if you have a history of eczema or dry skin. Instead, switch to using unscented soaps and body washes.

Exfoliate for Smooth, Supple Skin

Dry skin will stay dry without light exfoliation. Using a good quality exfoliator can remove the damaged top layer of the skin and help facilitate new skin cell growth.

Try to avoid using soaps as these contain a high PH, which can lead to more dryness and oftentimes inflammation.

Also, if possible, avoid rubbing your skin with a towel as this can exacerbate the problem. Instead, gently blot your skin to dry off.

You Still Need Sunscreen!

Just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean you should put away your suncream.

Even though the sun’s UVB rays are not as strong in the winter, levels of UVA (or UV-Ageing as it is known in the dermatology world) are still significant enough to age your skin.

Not to mention, the reflection of the sun’s rays through the clouds and off the snow can cause you to get serious sunburn even if it’s not sunny outside.

Remember to wear SPF 30+ that specifically has a high UVA rating, every morning and reapply if doing any outdoor winter activities.

Carry Lip Balm

Help keep dry lips from getting chapped and sunburned during winter by using a hydrating lip balm every morning and throughout the day to seal in moisture. It moisturizes your lips, so they stay hydrated ensuring that they’re protected from the elements. Plus, many lip balms contain sunscreen, which is just as important during the winter as it is during the summer.

Be Aware of Irritating Skincare Products

As we spend more time indoors during the colder months, it’s easy to become complacent or even lazy when it comes to taking care of your skin.

Make the effort to be faithful to a daily skincare routine. Use a gentle cleanser to help remove irritants followed by your favourite serum and a heavy moisturizer.

If you’re unsure which routine is right for you, make an appointment with our skin specialist for guidance. Be aware of using potentially irritating ingredients such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, and vitamin C.

You may need to dial back on the potency of these to be able to use them consistently through winter without causing excess irritation.  

Keep Hydrated

Staying adequately hydrated is just as important during the winter as it is in the summer. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is one of the best things you can do via your diet to avoid dryness. A few healthy ways to increase your daily water intake include:

• Carry a refillable water bottle with you 
• Add a squeeze of fresh fruit to your water for flavour variety
• Make water your drink of choice for meals and snack times
• Avoid sugary beverages such as coke or energy drinks
• Try making half of your plate fruits and vegetables, which is an easy way to incorporate extra fluid at mealtimes.

With these tips, you can be successful in your efforts to stay hydrated and healthy throughout the winter months. 

Give Your Face a Massage 

One of the most powerful steps in a winter skincare regimen is a facial massage, which reduces fluid build-up and in turn sculpts the face. When it comes to your moisturiser, take time to massage it into your skin. Try for at least 30 seconds to maximise its effects – it’ll help with absorption and circulation. When you boost blood flow, the haemoglobin will be carry more oxygen to the tissue and brighten the skin. 

Get checked 

Overall, the best tip we can give you is to schedule a regular annual check-up with a dermatologist especially if dry, irritated skin doesn’t heal or gets worse.

It’s very important to diagnose, treat and rule out an underlying medical condition like an allergy, dermatitis, or something more severe. 

Our dermatology team are here to are here to help you!

They can analyse your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products you should be using. They can also provide medication to address specific skin concerns when over-the-counter products aren’t working. 

A visit to a dermatologist is also vital if you notice any concerning changes in your skin, such as the size of a mole or new persistent rash. Dr Dobson is a highly respected and vastly experienced consultant. He is a part of our outstanding team as a Consultant Dermatologist providing personalised care, diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions.

Get in contact

To book your consultation, call our team on 01772 663977 or if you prefer to email us on [email protected]. 

How To Keep Your Heart Healthy

Heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK, that’s more than 160,000 deaths each year – an average of 460 deaths each day or one every three minutes in the UK.

 Around 44,000 of which are premature (i.e. people under the age of 75).

Here are some statistics:

• There are around 7.6 million people living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK: 4 million men and 3.6 million women.
• Coronary heart disease (CHD; also known as ischaemic heart disease) is the most common type of heart disease. It is the most common cause of heart attack and was the single biggest killer of both and men and women worldwide in 2019.
• In the UK there are as many as 100,000 hospital admissions each year due to heart attacks: that’s one every five minutes.
• Around 1.4 million people alive in the UK today have survived a heart attack.
• More than 900,000 people in the UK are living with heart failure. 

These can be worrisome facts, but there is an upside: There are several things you can do now to prevent problems down the line, and even turn the clock back on some issues that may already be hurting your ticker. 

What is the relationship with he NHS?

You probably already know that exercise and a good diet can keep your heart healthy. But what else can you do to help your heart healthy?

Here, we ask Dr Khan, a renowned expert from our Cardiology Service, to give his recommendations on key things you need to do every day to help your heart work most efficiently.

By incorporating these habits into your lifestyle, you can not only help take some pressure off your heart but give your overall health a major boost too. 

So what is Cardiovascular Disease? 

The term “Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)” is an umbrella term for all diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, vascular dementia and stroke.

CVD is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, to put that into context, there are twice as many people living with heart and circulatory diseases in this country than the combined total for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

What are the Risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease? 

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of developing a disease.

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely go on to develop heart and circulatory disease but it does mean you should look at modifying your lifestyle and taking action to prevent or control early symptoms.

The risk factors for heart and circulatory diseases include:

• Obesity – particularly if you carry excess weight around your tummy.
• Smoking – smokers are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack 
• High cholesterol – this is the level of fat in your blood. The greater the excess of cholesterol, the higher your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. 
• High blood pressure – This is also called hypertension.
• Diabetes – the damage caused to your blood vessels increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
• Not Exercising – Leading a sedentary lifestyle can damage your heart muscle.
• Alcohol – drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can harm your heart and overall health.
• A family history of Cardivascular Disease – This puts you at higher risk of developing the conditions yourself.
• Prolonged Stress – This can also increase your risk of heart and circulatory problems.

5 Heart Health Numbers You Need to Know 

Five simple numbers can tell you a lot about your heart health. By learning your heart health numbers, you can take an important step in lowering your risk for heart disease. 

1. Blood pressure

Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body. It is measured with two numbers: 

• systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out
• diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart rests between beats

An example of a blood pressure reading is 120/80, read as “120 over 80.” For example, if your blood pressure is “120 over 80” or 120/80mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg.

As a general guide:

• ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
• high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher
• low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease because it puts a strain on your heart and arteries. Over time, your heart may become weak, this can lead to serious, even life-threatening problems such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

2. Body mass index

Your body mass index, or BMI, uses your height and weight to measure your amount of body fat. Having too much body fat can raise your risk for heart disease and other medical conditions, so it’s good to know if yours is in a healthy range. Your BMI will fall into one of these ranges:

• Less than 18.5 = underweight
• 18.5 to 24.9 = normal weight
• 25 to 29.9 = overweight
• 30 or greater = obese

3. Blood sugar level

Your blood sugar level, also called your blood glucose level, shows the amount of sugar in your blood. Blood sugar levels change throughout the day as you eat and digest food. When you have your blood sugar tested, your results will fall into one of these ranges:

• Less than 100 mg/dl = normal
• 100 to 125 mg/dl = prediabetes
• 126 mg/dl or higher = diabetes

If you have diabetes, your body can’t make a hormone called insulin, which helps move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, so your blood sugar level will be higher. Over time, this can damage your heart and blood vessels.

4. Total cholesterol level

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in your blood and all of your body’s cells. While you need some cholesterol to help you digest food and make hormones, too much can lead to heart disease. Your total cholesterol includes:

• HDL, or “good” cholesterol. HDL helps take away some LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, from your blood.
• LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. LDL can cause the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels.

A simple blood test can measure your total cholesterol level, and your results will be:

• 200 mg/dL or lower = normal
• 200 – 239 mg/dL = borderline high
• 240 mg/dL or higher = high

Having too much cholesterol in your blood cause plaque to build up in your blood vessels in a condition called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Over time, this can make your blood vessels narrow, or even totally blocked, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

5. HDL cholesterol level

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream.

Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. As a guide, a good test result for HDL cholesterol is 1.2mmol/L or above in women, 1mmol/L or above in men.

What You Can do to Keep Your Heart Healthy

The UK statistics on heart and circulatory diseases show how important it is to keep your heart healthy, even more so if you have one or more risk factors. Here are some important ways to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of CVD’s:

• Eat a healthy balanced diet – that is high in fibre and low in fat. Restrict your intake of salt and make sure you eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day in line with government guidelines.

• Exercise – Studies show that inactive people are more likely to have a heart attack than those who are active. Exercising will help to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week to lower your risk of developing coronary heart disease.  

• Give up smoking – Smoking is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease. It not only damages the lining of your arteries but reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood and raises your blood pressure.

• Cut back on alcohol – Drink no more than the recommended amount of alcohol each week. Alcohol can cause high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and damage to the heart muscle. You don’t have to give it up completely. Just follow the guidelines, which are two to three units a day for women and three to four for men.

• If you have diabetes, keep your condition under control and see your doctor if your blood pressure increases above 130/80mmHg.

• Manage stress levels – If you’re under a lot of stress, you may be more likely to smoke, exercise less, and drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol – all of which are linked with heart problems. Aim to find a regular self-care and relaxation practice that works for you, whether it is walking in nature, yoga, meeting up with friends or taking a holiday. 

• Don’t forget to floss – There’s a strong link between your gum health and your heart health. A recent studied showed that periodontal disease can almost double your risk of developing heart disease. Flossing helps to remove plaque from your teeth, which, if not removed, can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. 

• Get enough sleep – Sleep is an essential part of keeping your heart healthy. If you don’t sleep enough, you may be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease no matter your age or other health habits. Aim to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep most nights. 

• Avoid secondhand smoke – Studies show that the risk of developing heart disease is about 25 to 30 percent higher for people who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work. This is because the chemicals emitted from cigarette smoke promote the development of plaque buildup in the arteries. 

If you are concerned about your heart health or if you are experiencing worrying symptoms, we have a comprehensive full Cardiology service for your peace of mind. Our team of leading Cardiologists can do a thorough assessment, diagnose any problems and recommend any preventative measures as well as possible treatments.

How Greater Lancashire Hospital can help:

• ECG
• 24/48/72 Hour ECG Monitoring
• Echocardiograms
• Urgent appointments accommodated

Get in contact

For more information or to book a consultation with one of our leading specialists, contact our team by calling 01772 663977, or you can email on:

[email protected]

Why many now opt for private health treatment

Whether it’s because you’ve been on a waiting list for what feels like forever, you’re not satisfied with your treatment on the NHS or you would just like a second opinion, there are many reasons why you might have thought about going private for your healthcare. 

There are an increasing number who now opt for private health treatment because of the benefits it brings.

Going private gives you:

• Fast access to treatment and quicker referral to specialists
• A choice of when you want to be treated.
• A choice of consultant or private specialist
• You get one to one nursing
• You can often benefit from the latest technology
• There is more privacy in a private hospital
• Sometimes, the option to have treatment(s) which may not be available on the NHS.

What about speed? 

Private treatment can usually be carried out quickly, certainly quicker than waiting on an NHS list.

Consultations and appointments take place at times that suit you and recovery from operations take place in a comfortable private room where friends and family can visit with few restrictions. 

What is the relationship with he NHS?

The private healthcare sector and the NHS may be separate, but they very often work closely together, with the government’s support.

In some cases, a primary care trust may have contracted with a local private hospital to provide treatment for NHS patients. Indeed, this is true with Greater Lancashire Hospital, NHS trusts do refer patients directly to our Hospital for a wide range of NHS Services.

We are an approved, high-quality supplier of services to the NHS. 

Our hospital, part of the Bespoke Health Care group, is an independently owned leading private hospital, based near Preston, Lancashire. We offer our patients a range of first-class day-case, outpatient and diagnostic facilities led by the top consultants in the North West.

We are the only hospital in the area to have received ‘outstanding’ for patient care by the Care Quality Commission. 

Get in contact

For more information or to book a consultation with one of our leading specialists, contact our team by calling 01772 663977, or you can email on:

[email protected]

Today is World Menopause Day

Today is World Menopause Day, and whatever you have heard it being called, whether it’s ‘the change’ ‘the internal furnace’ or ‘reverse puberty’, The nicknames given to the menopause don’t make it sound like a pleasant time of life.

But, despite the fact that nearly all women will go through the menopause at some point in their lives, many don’t know all that much about it.  

Menopause is currently a hot topic in the media, which means we’re all becoming better informed. But there is a lot of information out there, especially online, which is leaving some women with more questions than answers. 

We’ve asked our Menopause Expert, Dr Ewa Craven, to give an overview of the Menopause and how the new service she is leading at our hospital, can help change the lives of women who are currently struggling through the menopause. 

What is the Menopause? 

The menopause refers to that time in every woman’s life when her periods stop and her ovaries lose their reproductive function. 

The menopause is clinically diagnosed when your periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months. Usually, this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but in a few exceptional cases women may become menopausal in their 30s, or even younger. 

It’s a normal part of ageing and usually occurs as oestrogen levels decline. At any given time, around 13 million women in the UK are experiencing the menopause.

There’s no exact time that menopause starts or ends and no specific length of time that someone’s menopause lasts – everybody’s journey is unique to them. 

There are three stages of menopause:

1. Perimenopause

2. Menopause

3. Post-menopause.

Here’s a closer look at what happens during each one.

Perimenopause: The beginning of menopause

Perimenopause – or pre-menopause – is a word that means “around menopause” and it’s when symptoms begin, leading up to menopause. This stage typically starts about 4-8 years before menopause.

The age at which perimenopause begins varies – some women notice it in their 40s, but others can experience it as early as their mid-30s.

When you enter perimenopause, you’ll probably start to notice some early menopause symptoms, such as changes to your period or mood. These changes happen because your body’s estrogen and progesterone levels are starting to naturally decline. 

Menopause: The end of your menstrual cycle

Menopause refers to a specific point in time when your periods stop.

You’re only in the menopause phase for one year, because when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period, you enter post-menopause.

Reaching menopause means that you’re no longer able to become pregnant. Every woman – except for those who’ve had their ovaries removed before puberty – will go through menopause.

Post-menopause: After menopause

Post-menopause simply means “after menopause”, and you reach this point when it has been 12 months since your last period.

Post-menopause signals the end of your reproductive years, and you’ll be in this stage for the rest of your life.

While your ovaries are still making low levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, you are no longer ovulating, so you can’t become pregnant.

You’ll continue to experience menopause symptoms for about 2-7 years after your final menstrual cycle – it can be longer for some people – but after that time, symptoms often get milder or completely go away.

Women in post-menopause are at a higher risk for certain health conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis.

When does the menopause start?

The menopause often naturally happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age for when the menopause starts in the UK is 51. 

According to the NHS, around 1 in 100 people experience the menopause before the age of 40, which is known as premature menopause. It’s defined as a point in time 12 months after a person has their last period.

The menopause can also happen due to treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or when the ovaries are removed due to a hysterectomy.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Over 60% of people going through menopause will experience symptoms. Below are some of the most common symptoms:

• Low mood or anxiety

• Reduced sex drive

• Issues with memory and concentration

• Hot flushes

• Night sweats

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex

• Trouble sleeping

Over 60% of women experience symptoms resulting in behaviour changes and one in four women will experience severe debilitating symptoms.

How long does the menopause last?

Symptoms such as the ones mentioned above, can begin months or even years before the final period, and in some cases last up to 15 years after. Menopause symptoms last on average for around four years.

When should you see a doctor for menopause help?

The way you experience each stage of menopause will be unique. For example, you may not experience anxiety, but insomnia may leave you feeling chronically tired and irritable. Or perhaps the first sign of change is vaginal dryness.

In many instances, Menopause symptoms can often be managed by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and medications. But if your symptoms are intense enough to affect your daily life and keep you from doing the things you love, that is the time to seek advice and care for menopause symptoms.

Ready to talk menopause? We’re here for you at any age and any stage.

At Greater Lancashire Hospital, we will help you thrive through menopause, under a new menopause service led by our expert Dr Ewa Craven who is a British Menopause Society Accredited Specialist and community GP. 

Our dedicated menopause service provides personalised care, advice and management to women experiencing problems associated with the menopause.

Dr Ewa Craven is a real advocate of women’s health and believes every woman deserves the time to explore her symptoms and every option available. Women are not all the same and your treatment plan needs to be as unique as you are. 

Our diagnosis involves listening to you and your symptoms, from then we will form an effective treatment plan to get you back to living a life you love. 

Every women should have a general health check and bone health discussion at this time in life and we are here to provide this advice. 

Why Choose Greater Lancashire Hospital? 

• Speed. Get seen FAST by cutting out 6 Month NHS waiting times.
• Service The best service. Dr Ewa has the highest accreditation in Menopause & is highly experienced in this field.
• Affordable We have AFFORDABLE pricing & payment plans to suit everyone.

Virtual Consultations are available and you can self-refer to use this service. 

If you would like to know more or book a consultation with Dr Ewa, get in touch with our friendly and discreet team on 01772 663977 or you can email:

[email protected]

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a landmark occasion for our country as Her Majesty celebrates 70 years as monarch.

As Her Majesty celebrates this remarkable achievement, we send her our warmest congratulations. We give thanks for her long reign and the dedicated service she has given to the UK over the past seven decades. 

Her Majesty has accomplished so many achievements during her historic long reign, and since she ascended the throne in 1952, both the UK and the world have changed remarkably. 

Perhaps one of the most prominent areas of change is the National Health Service. Launched from Manchester General Hospital on 5 July 1948, the National Health Service has gone on to revolutionise the state of care and medicine in the UK. 

When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, staff lived in nurse accommodation, matrons were all-powerful and there was a charge of one shilling for prescriptions! Fast forward to now, and after several difficult years spent battling the unprecedented pandemic and rapidly adjusting to new health protocols, the Queen bestowed the UK’s highest award for gallantry and heroism, The George Cross, on the UK’s National Health Service last year. 

This honour is a well-deserved recognition to all staff both past and present, for their commitment and compassion, and for the sacrifices they and their families have made in recent times – all for the care of patients.

The NHS is a huge source of national pride, and I am thrilled to see so many NHS colleagues recognised in the Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours for their hard work and dedication this week. 

So much has changed in the healthcare sector over the decades in terms of diagnosis, treatment and support, ways of working, and the future health challenges we face, now and in the future. 

I personally want to thank all of my colleagues and team at Greater Lancashire Hospital, for your hard work and outstanding care every day. And to those who will continue working over the Bank Holiday to keep us all safe. 

To everyone celebrating this Jubilee weekend, stay safe, and have a lovely time. 

Gwam & Sara

Managing Director & Executive Director