West Country (W) Health News

Schools and doctors in Totnes have pledged to work together to improve uptake of the MMR vaccine. It's because of concerns the town could suffer a Swansea-style measles outbreak as only 3/4 of children have been immunised.

• Health
• Totnes
• Measles

A GP in Totnes says schools are being neglectful if they don't recommend the measles jab for pupils.

Totnes has the one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. Dr Dylan Watkins from Leatside Surgery is holding a meeting for local schools and health professionals today.

It will focus on ten to sixteen year olds who haven't been vaccinated.

• UK
• Measles
• Totnes

The charity, The Ramblers, is saying people should walk more to keep fit and healthy.

It comes after a survey revealed nearly a quarter of adults in the South West walk no more than an hour a week.

• UK
• The Ramblers

Tests to show how clean bathing waters are in the South West start today.

The Environment Agency will be taking samples and telling people where is safe to swim. Last year 98 per cent of beaches in our region reached current standards.

The Agency will be taking samples from today until the end of September.

• UK
• Bathing water
• Environment Agency

Devon has had thirteen measles cases over the last six months - one of the highest county totals in the South West.

The government has announced a catch-up programme for 10 - 16 year-olds who weren't vaccinated during the MMR scare.

Experts say unprotected young people should get at least one dose of the jab.

• Health
• Measles
• MMR

A mother who lost her son to meningitis just two weeks before his wedding has launched a roadshow in Cornwall. Shane White from Lostwithiel was rushed to hospital after originally complaining of a sore throat and stomach ache. Just eight hours later he died.

Now Ros White is taking to the road to raise awarenesss of the signs and symptoms of a deadly disease.

Ros will be joined on her roadshow by Steve Dayman, the founder of Meningitis UK. To see our recent interview with him, click here.

To find out more about meningitis, click here.

• Health
• Lostwithiel
• Meningitis

An investigation has begun after doctors revealed that cancer treatment for a 3-year-old boy from Plymouth was carried out incorrectly.

Consultants told Elsbeth and Mike Hallam that radiotherapy beams supposed to be targeting their son's tumour, were wrongly set up.

The hospital says the problem has now been rectified and won't affect treatment.

• Health
• Plymouth
• Devon

An investigation is underway into how radiotherapy was set up wrongly for a 3-year-old boy from Plymouth.

Henry Hallam was being treated for a rare form of cancer. Bristol Children's Hospital says the problem was quickly fixed and was unlikely to have affected his treatment.

Henry's parents are trying to raise £500,000 for specialist help in the States. You can find out more here.

• Health
• Plymouth
• Devon

A new study has revealed that almost 2,000 fewer patients are being admitted to hospital for emergency treatment for asthma since smokefree legislation was introduced in 2007.

Researchers based at Bath University found there was an immediate 4.9 per cent reduction in emergency hospital admissions for asthma in adults. It implies almost 1,900 admissions were prevented during the first year after legislation was introduced and a similar number in the subsequent two years.

• UK
• Bath University
• Asthma

Launceston Hospital is re-opening today after being closed for seven weeks. Bacteria linked to the potentially deadly legionnaires disease was discovered in two locations.

But now a new £100,000 boiler has been installed, and the water system has been disinfected and updated.

• Health
• Legionella
• Launceston