East Yorkshire parents are being urged to ensure they and their children are protected after more than 70 cases of measles were reported in West Yorkshire.

Large numbers of cases were recorded in Italy, France and Greece as well as in Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Russia and Albania.

With 757 cases now reported in parts of the UK, including 73 in Yorkshire and the Humber since January, Public Health England is advising people travelling to Europe this summer to ensure their families are vaccinated properly before heading off on their holidays.

Visit www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/30/general-advice-for-travellers for advice on keeping you and your family save overseas this summer.

Janet Cairns, Head of Midwifery at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said catching measles during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or premature labour.

She said: “Now is the right time to check if you and your family are vaccinated against the risk of measles.

“GPs can advise, and give vaccines to anyone who has not been adequately protected. Two doses of the MMR vaccine can prevent more than 95 per cent of cases of measles, mumps and rubella, which was known as German measles.

“If you are pregnant and have been in contact with someone with measles, which is infectious from a few days before the rash appears, please contact your GP or midwife, who can request a blood test to check whether you are immune.”

Symptoms of measles include a rash, which usually spreads from the hairline down to cover the body, a high temperature and a dry cough.

Affected people may also have red, inflamed eyes and a runny nose before the rash appears.

Music lovers can help save lives in the future when they attend the Humber Street Sesh this week.

The organ donation team from Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital will be at the event from 10.30am on Saturday at the terrace outside the Minerva Pub.

Alex Wray, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation, said: “We know people will be enjoying themselves at the event and what will happen to them when they die might not be on their minds.

“But we say it’s better to think about what they want in advance and sign the organ donor register so we know their wishes.

“Lots of families attend the event together so we’re asking people to sign the register and share their wishes with their loved ones so that tough decision is removed from them at the worst time of their lives and they’ll know what you would want them to do if the time comes.”

As well as signing the register, people will be able to play a life-size game of operation and look at the specially designed fire engine supporting the work of Hull’s organ donation team.

Hull Royal Infirmary’s main entrance has been re-opened to staff and visitors this morning after a glass panel cracked on the tower block.

One of the 7,000 glass panels on the 13-storey tower block was damaged by high winds on Sunday.

Although no-one was injured, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust took the precaution of cordoning off the main entrance and cash machine, directing staff and visitors to the back entrance until safety checks were carried out.

Now, after members of the trust’s estates team oversaw a safety inspection of the affected panel, the main entrance has been re-opened, with people able to use the cash machine once more.

Duncan Taylor, the trust’s Director of Estates, Facilities and Development, said: “One of the panels on the fourth floor cracked like a car windscreen in the strong winds and broke into pieces about one centimetre in size.

“We’re investigating what caused the panel to crack. However, just four of the 7,000 glass panels in place in the tower block have cracked since they were installed four years ago.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the main entrance but the safety of our staff, patients and visitors will always come first.”

Nursing staff caring for people with cancer have raised almost £3.000 to help people spend their final days and hours with their loved ones.

Ward 30 at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital provides recliner chairs so relatives can stay next to their family member as they approach the end of their lives.

However, staff held a Disco Fever night this month to raise £2,800 to pay for camp beds so relatives can rest properly next to the people they love.

Health care assistant Julie Simpson and clinical support worker Sue Hemsworth worked together to arrange the fundraising event at the Good Fellowship in Cottingham Road, Hull, collecting raffle prizes and gathering donations to reach their target.

Ward sister Hayley Butler said: “I’m really proud of the team. The overnight equipment will make such a difference to patients and their relatives on the ward.”

Although the ward has a hospitality suite, staff realised families were reluctant to leave the bedsides of their loved ones but were exhausted without sleep.

Staff, who raised more than £1,000 last year to pay for an ECG machine to help patients, hope to be able to buy at least eight camp beds. They have also received two beds from Hull and East Yorkshire (HER) Breast Friends, a proactive charity helping people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.

Hospital managers are asking people to avoid using A&E unless their problem is urgent or life threatening following a seasonal rise in admissions.

Doctors and nurses working in the Emergency Department at Hull Royal Infirmary are seeing an increase in the number of older people being admitted in particular who are dehydrated or whose conditions are likely to have been made worse by the recent spell of warm weather.

In the last two weeks, daily attendance at Hull Royal Infirmary peaked at 464, a figure which, only a few years ago, would have been more likely to be seen in the depths of winter. Bed capacity has also been variable due to sporadic outbreaks of Nororvirus, the diarrhoea and vomiting bug which is also more commonly associated with winter.

Staff are now appealing to those with minor conditions, whose problems could be potentially be cared for by another health professional, to seek treatment elsewhere or call NHS 111 for advice, to allow specialist staff to concentrate on the most seriously ill.

Dr Kirsten Richards, Consultant Physician in Elderly Medicine for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:

“It’s easy to assume that everyone has been enjoying the recent spell of warm weather, but prolonged heat can be quite problematic for older people or those with chronic health conditions.

“Over recent days, we’ve seen more people being admitted on to our wards with symptoms linked to the heat, including dehydration, falls and breathing difficulties.

“We have been doing our utmost to care for these patients but it can take some time for them to become well enough again to be discharged. At a time when bed capacity is also somewhat reduced due to outbreaks of D&V, this places extra strain on both our Emergency Department and our wider hospitals.

“As the summer holidays are here and many people are now off work with children or on holiday, we would encourage use of urgent treatment centres, pharmacies and other community walk-in services for less serious health problems wherever possible. This will allow emergency care staff and those working with older people in particular to focus their efforts on those in the most urgent need of attention.

“We would also urge people to check in on elderly friends, family or neighbours regularly while the warm weather continues to ensure they stay well hydrated and they have food available in the house to save them a potential trip out in the heat.”

Details of urgent care centres and other nearby community-based walk-in facilities can be found by calling 111 or visiting www.nhs.uk

Top tips for staying well during the hot weather include:

1. Stay out of the sun, especially between the hours of 11am and 3pm.
2. When you are outside, spend as much time as you can in the shade.
3. Avoid alcohol and caffeine but drink plenty to stay hydrated. Water and fruit or vegetable juices are best
4. Wear a sunscreen with a high protection factor of at least 30 as older skin can be more sensitive to damaging UV rays from the sun.

People are risking cancer by failing to realise the damage they can cause to their skin while Britain basks in the current heat wave, a hospital specialist is warning.

Professor Shernaz Walton, Consultant Dermatologist at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said people who pack sunscreen for holidays abroad fail to take similar precautions at home.

Professor Walton said: “I tell people that even if they are crossing the road to go to the shop, they should apply sunscreen before they go outside.

“They know when they go abroad that they need to take sun cream but they think, wrongly, that a little bit of sun we get at home is ok when it’s not’.

“In fact, what you should do at home and abroad is avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm and  wear  sunscreen.

“Even getting sunburnt once is enough to damage your skin. Sunburn is a clear sign that the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged by too much UV radiation.

“Getting sunburnt, just once every two years, can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer. Too much UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds can damage the genetic material (DNA) in your skin cells.

“If enough DNA damage builds up over time, it can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer.”

With the heat wave expected to continue for the next few weeks, Prof Walton, who is also an Honorary Professor at Hull York Medical School, has shared her knowledge and tips for keeping safe in the sun.

Tell me about skin cancer

There are three types – malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Malignant melanoma is cancer of the pigment cells of the skin. If treated early, the outlook is good. However, if untreated, the disease can spread to the lungs, liver and lymph nodes.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a non-melanoma skin cancer which can be found on any area of the body although it’s more common on areas exposed to the sun such as head, neck, lips, ears and back of hands. It can be treated if detected early but has the potential to spread to other areas, causing pain and serious illness.

Another non-melanoma skin cancer, BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and is often called “rodent ulcer”.

It often appear as a scab that bleeds and does not heal completely. It can also look like a scaly red flat mark or with a pearl like rim around a central crater which can cause an ulcer if untreated.

It can be treated in almost every case although it’s harder if left untreated for a long time or if located  in a difficult place such as near the eye, nose or ear. It rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Now I know what it is, what are my chances of getting it?

Cancer Research UK says one in 54 people will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer during their lifetime.

Skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

The British Skin Foundation says at least 100,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, with more than 2,500 people losing their lives. That’s seven people each day.

In 2016, 2,285 people lost their lives to melanoma skin cancer.

There are slightly more cases of melanoma skin cancer in men compared to women, 51 per cent compared to 49 per cent.

There has been a 128 per cent increase in the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer since the 1990s.

Most cases are diagnosed early, with 91 per cent diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, increasing a person’s risk of survival. However, people living in more deprived areas are less likely to be diagnosed at an early stage.

How does the sun damage my skin?

Sunlight contains ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, both of which can harm skin causing sunburn, pigmentation, ageing and skin cancer.

UVA rays are known as the “ageing rays” and are up to 50 times more prevalent than UVB rays. These rays penetrate skin layers, damaging collagen and DNA, causing wrinkles, loss of elasticity and pigmentation.

UVB rays are known as the “burning rays” are mostly affect the skin’s outer layer. These rays cause sunburn or tanning, both of which increase the risk of skin cancer.

While radiation is higher during the summer and at midday, it has the potential to burn and cause damage all year.

Am I at risk of developing skin cancer?

Although it’s less common in children, skin cancer can affect you at any age.

You’re at greater risk if you have pale skin which is prone to burning, with light or red hair and freckles.

If you’ve had severe sunburn, especially which caused blistering particularly in childhood, you’re at a greater risk along with people who have more than 50 ordinary moles.

Those with unusual moles, larger than ordinary moles, present in large numbers and with irregular shapes or colour patterns, are also at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

People who have already developed skin cancer or have a relative with the disease and people with suppressed immune systems also face a greater risk.

Other risk factors include working outdoors or spending a lot of time outdoors and using sunbeds or sunbathing regularly.

What can I do to protect myself from skin cancer?

Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm, when it’s at its most powerful between March and October.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.

Long-sleeved tops, loose trousers and long skirts in close-weave fabrics do not allow sunlight through and opt for sunglasses with wraparound lenses or wide arms with the CE Mark and European Standard EN 1836.

Don’t forget your sunscreen. Choose one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect against UVB or the “burning rays”, although experts recommend one with a minimum SPF of 30 in addition to shade and clothing. Pick one with “UVA” in a circle logo with at least four-star UVA protection.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before heading outside and reapply at least every two hours.

Stay away from sunbeds and sunlamps.

Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.

Tell your doctor is you spot any changes to a mole. Changes of concern are illustrated on the Cancer Research UK website. If your GP shares your concerns, make sure you’re referred to a consultant dermatologist on the GMC’s register of specialists.

Midwifery assistants have received extra training to become Birth Educators in a new programme designed to help Hull couples prepare for parenthood.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has introduced an extensive training programme so midwifery assistants can work alongside recently retired midwives and current midwives to support families in the run-up, during and after their babies’ births.

Members of the team will be at the HEY Baby Carousel tomorrow night, giving practical demonstrations on bathing your newborn, changing nappies and how to keep them safe while they sleep.

Head of midwifery Janet Cairns said: “Our team can give prospective parents advice and guidance on what to expect during labour and birth.

“They can also educate them on everything from safer sleeping, feeding and how to change a nappy so people have the skills they need in those first few days and weeks.”

Midwives at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital have been delivering birth education and parenting sessions to prospective parents since last year.

Midwifery assistants have now joined the team of Birth Educators, employed by the trust’s HEY Baby team, after graduating from the training course.

Working for HEY Baby on bank contract hours, the midwifery assistants will work alongside recently retired midwives and those still in clinical practice.

Women registered with a Hull GP who have had their 20-week scan can visit www.hey.nhs.uk/heybaby/hull-antenatal-classes to book their free birth education classes. The service is not yet available to women with an East Riding GP, who can book their classes through their local Sure Start Children’s Centre.

You can find out more information by coming along to the Carousel. No appointment is necessary and you can just drop in between 6pm and 8pm to visit our range of stalls and speak to our midwives and childcare experts.

Don’t forget to bring your handheld notes if you would like to take advantage of our on-the-spot whooping cough vaccination service or have your MATB1 form signed.

As the mercury rises, it’s important that we take as much care of older relatives as we do when we experience bad weather, storms and snowfall.

While hypothermia is a risk to older people during winter, hyperthermia is a umbrella term used for a range of heat-related illnesses like heat cramps, heat syncope when you experience sudden dizziness after an activity such as walking or gardening and heat exhaustion.

Older people are at greater risk as the body becomes less efficient with age at dealing with extremes in temperature.

Dr Dan Harman, consultant in elderly medicine at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “While many of us are enjoying the current heat wave, it is important that older people are safe in these extreme temperatures.

“Being out in the sun too long can result in heat stroke in an older person as their body is unable to deal with heat in the same way as a younger person.

“Heat stroke is an extremely dangerous condition for an older person so we’d advise people to take some simple steps to ensure  people do not have to be rushed to hospital or seek emergency medical help.”

The trust is issuing tips on keeping yourself well or helping an older person stay healthy during the heat by taking a few simple precautions.

1. Stay out of the sun, especially between the hours of 11am and 3pm.
2. When you are outside, spend as much time as you can in the shade.
3. Avoid alcohol and caffeine but drink plenty to stay hydrated. Water and fruit or vegetable juices are best
4. Wear a sunscreen with a high protection factor of at least 30 as older skin can be more sensitive to damaging UV rays from the sun

Heat stroke is very dangerous in an older person. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, muscle spasms, fatigue and fainting. A person suffering from heat stroke may also appear confused or have bizarre behaviour, If you suspect heat stroke, seek emergency treatment.

Older people are more at risk of heat-related illnesses if they have poor circulation or have heart, lung and kidney diseases. Those on more than one drug for ailments and people who cannot sweat because of medication including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs are also at risk.

If you suspect you or your elderly relative has a heat-related illness, get them out of the sun and into a cool place, preferably with air conditioning. If there is no air conditioning, fan them to keep them cooler. Give them drinks of water or fruit juice and encourage them to shower, bathe or sponge down with cool water. It’s best if they lie down and rest in a cool place.

Midwives are producing guidance to help new dads and partners stay overnight in hospital to enable them to support  mothers and bond with their babies.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust launched a new initiative earlier this year to give fathers and birth partners the chance to stay with their new families on Rowan Ward in the first few hours of their babies’ lives.

However, the trust is reminding fathers of expectations after other hospitals shared concerns that fathers were wandering around in their underwear and expecting a bed, food and access to shower facilities designed for the sole use of women on the ward.

Janet Cairns, head of midwifery

Smokers were also disturbing new mothers and babies by pressing buzzers to gain access to wards throughout the night.

Janet Cairns, the trust’s Head of Midwifery, said: “We have introduced this initiative because mothers tell us consistently they want partners with them in those first few hours.

“While we haven’t experienced the problems seen in other parts of the country, we would like to take this opportunity to remind fathers and birth partners of their obligations to ensure we can continue to offer this service.

“It would be a shame if the actions of a few spoiled what many new mothers have told us makes all the difference to them in their first few hours of parenthood.

“We are very keen for this to work but we need to be certain their presence will not disturb other families or interfere with the smooth running of the wards.”

The guidance will be issued to fathers and birth partners by the midwifery team ahead of their babies’ births so they are aware of their responsibilities in advance of hospital admission.

The trust has used some of the funds from last year’s hugely successful Hull 2017 Baby Footprints project to purchase comfortable chairs for partners who wish to stay overnight.

Janet Cairns said: “We cannot have airbeds or provide beds, due to space on the ward. As a publicly-funded service dedicated to patients, we cannot be expected to use much-needed funds to provide food for extended families.

“People are welcome to bring pack-ups and even takeaways onto the ward if they want hot food but we respectfully ask that rubbish is cleared away so it is not left to staff to tidy up.

“And we are also reminding people that anyone leaving after 11pm for a cigarette or any other reason will not be allowed back onto the ward.”

The trust is also trialling extended visiting hours so fathers and birth partners they can stay on the ward from 9am to 11pm, even if they are unable to stay overnight.

Other relatives and friends will also be able to visit between 1pm and 8pm.

Janet Cairns said: “We’ve had a fantastic response from people who welcome our extended visiting hours. We just ask that everyone abides by our common sense guidance to ensure we can meet the needs of all the families in our care.”

People will be able to look back through 70 years of Hull history next week when an NHS organisation hosts its annual general meeting.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will hold its AGM in the lecture theatre at the Medical Education Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary on Tuesday.

A timeline celebrating 70 years of the NHS in the city will be on display at the event alongside three nurses’ uniforms from the 1970s, antique medical equipment, photographs and original plans and documents relating to the establishment of health services over the past 100 years.

Trust archivist Mike Pearson said: “People will be able to travel through the decades to see how health services have evolved before, during and after the creation of the NHS.

“We took the display to the Health Expo where we got a phenomenal response from the public and we’re offering people the chance to see if again if they missed it first time round.”

Members of the public will be able to view the display in the Medical Society Room, next to the lecture theatre, when they come to the AGM, held between noon and 1pm.

Staff working for the trust will also be able to visit the display from 10am to 4pm on the day of the AGM.

Trust Chief Executive, Chris Long, will give a presentation on the Trust’s performance, key issues and events during 2017/2018, after which Lee Bond, Chief Finance Officer, will review the Trust’s financial performance during the year.

The annual report will be available at www.hey.nhs.uk from 24^th July.