Encouraging green eating

How do you get older people to eat their greens? I know, I know. It sounds strange but some of them hate eating vegetables and would rather eat chips. Wouldn't we all? But how do I encourage any of them to eat veg? Curried, in lasagne, salads of fish and chicken 'garnished' with a number of leaves, lots of dressing on big colourful salads and the promise of melon within the subtle flavours of a salad. Gem lettuce leaves, rocket with tuna, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber. Then drizzled over with virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and some garlic crutons maybe?

Disabled loos

Radar keys, the right size, where are they, people using them when they shouldn't? There are so many things to write about. But what about when a location has their disabled loos in awkward areas? Down long corridors, behind heavy doors which pull outwards so someone operating a chair or pushing one has to hold it open with their foot, while hoping to edge the chair through? People who design these facilities - STOP THINK DO! Just go through it with a wheelchair user or a disabled person. They will tell you what you need to know. Or just observe them. That provides all the information you need. Common sense approach rather than sit round a table Apprentice style with no understanding of the users. Rant over!

Doctors and their manner and isms

A visit to the GP. The usual bish bash bosh. Why are some of these people so quick to diagnose and usher you out when you ask them why they are prescribing certain medication? Alright so we aren't qualified because we didn't spend seven or plus years at med school. But it doesn't mean we don't have the right to question decisions. People go on about rights and sometimes it gets bloody annoying. But in the case of what a GP prescribes, I really will question it. HOw many types of medication are out there? How do they get to market? Who decides which brands to buy? NICE? Is it a procurement process? After all the trials or just some? And I would save the NHS money because I would know which medications work effectively and which don't gel with others. Okay, so GP's have targets and time constraints and know it all politicians breathing down their necks. Only to find themselves promoted/shunted aside in a year. But just talk to us. Communication is key. If you learn one thing out of that module they should teach you at med school, it should be that listening to a patient, gives you so much more insight. The old school docs sometimes did the listening thing. And that is why we form an orderly LONG queue to see them at the surgery!

Vitamin D

The British government want us all to take Vitamin D supplements. Well anyone in at-risk groups. These are: "Current advice is only at risk groups - including pregnant women, under fives and over 65s - should take supplements." BBC News online I have seen at my local GP surgery the free prescriptions which have totted up for the vitamin. They must be expensive high dosages. They are available from supermarkets but it is worth considering the right dosage. Ask pharmacists as they are usually informative. When you get a good pharmacist, hold onto them for they are like gold dust! Vitamin D can also be found fish oils or by eating oily fish. But also some nuts. I have found out that almonds are a good source of vitamins. All I know is, in the UK, it is vital we take it because the amount of sunlight we receive is not always enough to keep this vitamin stored in our body.

Tanni Grey-Thompson leads wheelchair alliance

http://www.nhsiq.nhs.uk/improvement-programmes/my-voice,-my-wheelchair,-my-life/wheelchair-alliance.aspx At long last! I have seen people struggle. In the end I know people who have bought their own chairs and mobility scooters. This is because the authorities don't have a co-ordinated approach or they don't have the funds. There are some fantastic services out there. And perhaps this will bring all these brilliant people together. With a co-ordinated approach we can help those who need it most.