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  • Psoriasis Awareness Week 2025

    Psoriasis Awareness Week 2025

    Wednesday 29th October to Tuesday 4th November 2025

    Psoriasis Awareness Week is fast approaching and the theme for 2025 will be‘Comorbidities of Psoriasis’.

    Comorbidities are the presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders that occur in someone already living with psoriasis.

    Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disease which is thought to have a genetic basis.

    Alongside the skin related issues of Psoriasis, people with the condition often experience other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, diabetes and allergies.

    The impact of living with psoriasis may also affect mental health, such as low self-esteem, feelings of isolation and loneliness and anxiety and depression

    Read more of this article

    The Psoriasis Association will have a number of new resources, advice and information to share during the week as well as number of ways you can take part.

    • Download the Digital Toolkit to show you support on social media
    • Put on purple for World Psoriasis Day, Wednesday 29th October.
    • Join the Instagram Live Q&A sessions (@psoriasisuk) on Monday 3rdNovember at 6.30pm
    • Take part in the virtual coffee morning via zoom on Friday 31stOctober at 11am.
    • Join the free webinar event in collaboration with St John’s DermAcademy on Thursday 6th November at 6pm: ‘Weight Matters in Psoriasis”
    • Visit the website for all information about Psoriasis Awareness Week 2025.

  • Lakeland Paws Canicross

    The Lake District Paws Canicross races launched in autumn 2024 and will continue through May 2025.

    What is Canicross?

    Canicross is the sport of cross country running with dogs which originated in Europe as off season training for the sledding community.

    It has become popular as a stand alone sport worldwide and is very popular in the UK.

    Canicross can be run with one or two dogs, always attached to the runner via a waist belt.

    The dog wears a specifically designed harness joined to the waist belt with an elastic cord that reduces shock to both human and dog when the dog pulls.

    It goes without saying that your dog needs to be suited to long distance running, so these courses are not suitable for pups who are not fully developed or older dogs who may have medical conditions.

    Lake District Canicross

    England’s only mountain forest, Dodd Wood & Grizedale Forest is the perfect location for you to enjoy stunning scenery and a fully marked course on forest roads and trails whilst running alongside your canine best friend.

    This series offers a mix of courses across three venues with 5 and 3 mile options available. The popular double header weekend in May makes a return!

    Event Dates
    Sun 6th Oct: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course)
    Sun 3rd Nov: Dogs @ Dodd
    Sun 1st Dec: Grizedale Growl
    Sun 5th Jan: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How anti-clockwise)
    Sat 1st Feb: Grizedale Growl (East Side)
    Sun 2nd March: Dogs @ Dodd
    Sun 6th April: Whinlatter Tails (New longer Route)
    Sat 10th May: Dogs @ Dodd (part of our Double Header)
    Sun 11th May: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course and second part of the Double Header)

    Booking essential

    Find out more on the Visit Lake District website

  • Absorbable Skin Staples

    Absorbable skin staples are not new. They have been widely applied in Caesarian surgery but are starting to be noted in orthopaedic procedures.

    Our clients are intrigued by these devices, so hopefully this post will answer a few questions.

    Most surgeons in the UK will use metal staples to seal a wound and whilst these are highly effective, they do have to be removed within a certain period of time after the operation.

    Probably because patients latterly struggle to obtain GP appointments in a suitable timeframe, some surgeons are opting for absorbable sutures and staples.

    What are the benefits?

    Absorbable sutures and staples can have multiple advantages according to the manufacturer.

    • Less invasive for the patient
    • Improved wound healing
    • Better cosmetic outcome
    • Fewer complications than metal staples
    • No disruption to imaging equipment
    • Reduced NHS appointments

    Staples which dissolve are usually the INSORB Skin Staple made by Cooper Surgical but unlike metal staples which sit on the skin surface, Insorb staples sit under the skin, resulting in a cleaner and less visible wound.

    If you want to learn more about these revolutionary skin closures you can visit the INSORB website. (We advise caution for those of a squeamish disposition).

  • Hexham Hospital Redevelopment

    Hexham Hospital Redevelopment

    Work began in the last quarter of 2024 on the Hexham Hospital redevelopment to improve facilities for patients and staff.

    Hexham General Hospital has a long standing reputation for exceptional service and fantastic sole occupancy rooms which our patients say are incredibly conducive to their healing.

    Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has invested more than £15 million and over the past 18 months, the programme has delivered a brand-new maternity unit with a number of other building projects including an oncology day unit, women’s health unit, endoscopy service, oral surgery and dental unit.

    All of this work is expected to be fully completed by the summer of 2024.

    Operating Theatre Refurbishment

    The final phase will see the current four operating theatres fully refurbished to create a fantastic, modern resource at Hexham that will support innovations like robot surgery which is proving so successful for patients at other hospital sites managed by Northumbria Healthcare.

    The Mako robot aims to increase the accuracy of the hip replacements that can be carried out, as they can be positioned to within a millimetre and a degree.

    This state of art machine developed by Stryker, joins the two DaVinci Xi robots previously installed at North Tyneside General Hospital and the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington.

    All four operating theatres will be fitted out with the most modern laminar flow systems which circulate air around the surgical area, minimising the risk of infection for patients. 

    This will mean much greater flexibility and resilience for surgeons and patients at Hexham by creating an environment that can be used for both various surgical procedures.

    Treatment continues for our clients

    The Sport and Performing Arts Injury Clinic refers many NHS orthopaedic cases to Hexham but be assured that procedures will continue.

    Patients and staff from Hexham will be moving to either Alnwick Infirmary or North Tyneside or Wansbeck general hospitals for operations that need a general anaesthetic.

    Surgical capacity has been increased at other Northumbria Healthcare hospitals to ensure the flow of patients can continue at the usual pace.

    Keep up to date with the refurbishment news by visiting the Northumbria Healthcare Hexham General Hospital web page.

  • Kendal Mountain Festival 2023

    The Kendal Mountain Festival is the biggest gathering of outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and takes place in Kendal, Cumbria in November every year.

    Highlights of Kendal Mountain Festival 2022

    Festival Dates

    The festival will run from 16th – 19th of November 2023 featuring a brilliant mix of both ticketed and free events.

    Anyone on any budget can come and enjoy the Festival and have a great time.

    Due to the nature of the event spaces, spread out around Kendal, tickets for different events need to be purchased separately online via the website.

    However, the amazing Basecamp in Abbot Hall Park is free to enter and hosts a huge variety of free talks as well as the event brand partner stalls.

    The Festival runs Thursday afternoon through to all day Sunday – so why not stay overnight and take Monday off!

    Speakers

    Listen to talks and presentations from over 50 speakers, covering

    Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, SnowAdventure and Exploration, Running Hiking Cycling, Water, Nature and Environment, Music, Art, Photography and Poetry.

    Festival events

    There is something for everyone at the Festival with massive programme of events covering:
    Speaker events
    World Premieres, Feature Films and Short Film Collections
    Our huge Basecamp Festival Village
    Book Festival
    Arts events
    Live music and Parties
    Secret Sessions
    10K Trail Run
    Family friendly events
    Environmental Films and Talks
    Yoga
    Free Events

    10K Trail Run

    Taking part in the 10K trail run this year will help the event support the crucial voluntary work of Kendal Mountain Rescue Team.

    Take part in a rip-roaring trail run visiting the local landmarks used by the local running community.

    The route is pure trail running, strewn with natural obstacles (no haybales, no mud-baths, no obstacles required) just lots of great ascents, jaw dropping vistas, some hard packed and grassy trails and a great town centre finish.

    The adidas TERREX Kendal Mountain Festival 10K Trail Run starts on closed roads climbing out of the town centre up Beast Banks.

    Its steep start utilises the same roads that the Tour of Britain cycle race finishes up.

    After 3km the route starts weaving along the limestone escarpment of Scout Scar with amazing views across Morecambe Bay and the Lyth Valley.

    The run along the escarpment is punctuated by crossing Underbarrow Road, where there will be a simple water station then continues towards Cunswick Scar before turning back across Kendal golf course and descending the steep streets and Ginnels back into the centre of Kendal.