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Specialist forecasts from the Met Office are being translated into Urdu to ensure the wider community benefits from them. Throughout the winter the Met Office provides forecasts to a number
of GP practices and Primary Care Trusts to warn them when some of
their most vulnerable patients may be at risk. Weather conditions,
seasons and virus loads can have a direct impact on certain diseases,
especially for those with breathing difficulties. Based on these factors
the Met Office provides forecasts of periods of increased risk for
people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Eastern Birmingham Primary Care Trust (PCT) is now translating these forecasts into Urdu. The PCT is based in a predominantly Asian community and has a specialist centre with more than 256 patients with COPD. Karen Goode, from the Eastern Birmingham PCT, explained: "Every week we put the headlines from the forecasts up in the centre, and the last thing we wanted was for people to see that an alert had been issued but not be able to read what it said. The whole point of the forecasts is to enable people to take preventative measures and we have to ensure that those most at risk have access to such vital information." Mark Gibbs, Health Forecasting Programme Manager at the Met Office,
said: "We have been working closely with the Eastern Birmingham
PCT to ensure that all their patients get the best possible care.
This is a fine example of best practice - enabling health, independence
and well-being, in line with the recent White Paper, and also promoting
social inclusion." Further information on COPD forecasting Notes for Editors: 1. Above is an image of the forecast in Urdu. It reads: The forecast is: AVERAGE. 2. Eastern Birmingham PCT has a GP who specialises in the treatment
of COPD.
or the Eastern Birmingham PCT on 0121 333 4113 |
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