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Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘I don't feel 100 at all, my mind is as sharp as a pin' – Woman celebrates turning 100 and shares secret to long life
Former health trust worker Betty Dowds now lives in Ravara Court Retirement Home. But she isn't your typical pensioner. 'I have a lot of health struggles but I try to ignore it and don't let it get me down, sat in a chair. If I stop moving, that will be me,' she said. Betty loves to dance for the residents and staff. 'I can't dance the way I used to but I make an attempt. I just want to give everyone a laugh,' she added. She's a keen singer, developing her love for music while working in the Ulster Hospital. She explained: 'I ran the tea bar and people used to come up to me and ask: 'Betty, what's in the sandwiches?' I'd sing what there was, I'd just come up with it there and then. 'I just wanted to make everyone laugh, make them smile. 'I don't feel 100 at all, nowhere near it. My health might not be hot but I'm very lucky with my mind. 'I've been graced with good thinking — my mind is as sharp as a pin.' And the secret to her longevity? A positive attitude. Betty said: 'Don't hold spite. If you have something to say, just say it. 'Don't fall out with anybody, it can eat you up inside. 'I love living here at Ravara Court, there is not one person that I do not get along with. I am just so happy. 'Just live your life, do what you want to do, and enjoy every moment.' Betty enjoyed two parties to celebrate her birthday milestone — one at Ravara Court and one with her family. She said she felt privileged to be celebrated by so many people. 'This place is full of cards, I can barely walk,' she joked. Despite her age, Betty continues to live a full and glamorous life. She explained: 'I still love clothes and I still love shoes. I have 100 pairs of shoes, and I love my make-up. I still do my make-up every single morning and my lashes are my own — I don't need the false ones.' A big fan of reality TV, she enjoys tuning in on the box. 'I watch Love Island. I watch absolutely everything — sure they are there for people to watch, so someone needs to watch it,' she laughed. Ashley Collins, manager of Ravara Court, which is in the South Eastern Trust, told the Belfast Telegraph: 'It is a privilege and an honour to have Betty here at Ravara Court. 'She was one of the first tenants to move in. 'She is a glamorous, amazing lady and is the life and soul of Ravara Court. 'It is such a privilege to celebrate Betty's 100th birthday with her, it is a truly remarkable milestone.'
Belfast Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Bangor woman Betty celebrates 100th birthday in style: ‘I don't feel 100 at all, I still love clothes and shoes'
Former health trust worker Betty Dowds now lives in Ravara Court Retirement Home. But she isn't your typical pensioner. 'I have a lot of health struggles but I try to ignore it and don't let it get me down, sat in a chair. If I stop moving, that will be me,' she said. Betty loves to dance for the residents and staff. 'I can't dance the way I used to but I make an attempt. I just want to give everyone a laugh,' she added. She's a keen singer, developing her love for music while working in the Ulster Hospital. She explained: 'I ran the tea bar and people used to come up to me and ask: 'Betty, what's in the sandwiches?' I'd sing what there was, I'd just come up with it there and then. 'I just wanted to make everyone laugh, make them smile. 'I don't feel 100 at all, nowhere near it. My health might not be hot but I'm very lucky with my mind. 'I've been graced with good thinking — my mind is as sharp as a pin.' And the secret to her longevity? A positive attitude... Betty said: 'Don't hold spite. If you have something to say, just say it. 'Don't fall out with anybody, it can eat you up inside. 'I love living here at Ravara Court, there is not one person that I do not get along with. I am just so happy. 'Just live your life, do what you want to do, and enjoy every moment.' Betty enjoyed two parties to celebrate her birthday milestone — one at Ravara Court and one with her family. She said she felt privileged to be celebrated by so many people. 'This place is full of cards, I can barely walk,' she joked. Despite her age, Betty continues to live a full and glamorous life. She explained: 'I still love clothes and I still love shoes. I have 100 pairs of shoes, and I love my make-up. I still do my make-up every single morning and my lashes are my own — I don't need the false ones.' A big fan of reality TV, she enjoys tuning in on the box. 'I watch Love Island. I watch absolutely everything — sure they are there for people to watch, so someone needs to watch it,' she laughed. Ashley Collins, manager of Ravara Court, which is in the South Eastern Trust, told the Belfast Telegraph: 'It is a privilege and an honour to have Betty here at Ravara Court. 'She was one of the first tenants to move in. 'She is a glamorous, amazing lady and is the life and soul of Ravara Court. 'It is such a privilege to celebrate Betty's 100th birthday with her, it is a truly remarkable milestone.'
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Hair stylist hits out at inability to bid for NHS wig contracts: ‘If I had a shot it would grow my business'
The Department of Health has confirmed to this newspaper that there is currently 'no regional tendering process' in place for hairdressers here. Individuals can access free wigs through Health and Social Care services but, since 2015, only two hairdressers in the entire region have been permitted to supply wigs for NHS patients, it has been revealed. Wigs are used by patients undergoing chemotherapy or with hair loss conditions but, due to red tape, there hasn't been a procurement exercise for three years. One Health and Social Care Trust said that the 'non-existence of a product specification' and the 'lack of national and international standards for wigs' is the reason for this. It comes after a Co Down hairdresser — who has been in the business for more than 30 years and does not wish to be named — said that it is 'not fair' that the process for the tender is essentially closed to newcomers. 'Some wigs can cost up to £2,000. And if I had a chance of securing this tender, some of my customers could have easier access to wigs they're entitled to under the NHS,' she told the Belfast Telegraph. 'This problem desperately needs solved but the Health Department and the Trusts aren't providing a clear pathway on how to solve this issue. 'If I had a shot at it, at least for one year, it would grow my business and allow me to hire more people. But this means no one else gets a chance. 'A lot of my customers find that the wigs help with their confidence after experiencing hair loss. It's hard for them to cope; losing your hair can be a loss of your femininity.' News Catch Up - Thursday 5 June A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that agreement on tenders is based on a 'locally agreed criteria' through individual health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland. 'The Department of Health does not have a role in procurement of these services,' they said. 'Availability of such services is determined at Trust level and arrangements are in place to offer appliances in line with locally agreed criteria.' The South Eastern Trust, where the hairdresser has based their business, however, said that since 2022 a procurement exercise to determine who is awarded the tender was stood down. 'The non-existence of a product specification and lack of national/international standards for wigs currently means that a regional tendering process has not been possible,' a spokesperson said. 'A procurement exercise in 2022 was stood down mainly due to a lack of a suitable product specification and national standards for the supply of wigs. 'This resulted in the procurement panel not being able to evaluate bids from a value for money perspective.' The South Eastern Trust revealed: 'As a result, all five Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) in NI are exploring the opportunity to reform wig provision. 'Legal advice sought back in 2022 indicated that due to current NI legislation and subsequent policy position, all HSCTs were limited in any changes they could make to how wigs were to be procured. 'Trust representatives, together with the DoH, have been progressing work to establish a way forward for the future supply of wigs, which will include consideration of procurement options by Procurement and Logistics Service and any legislative or policy changes required. 'In the meantime, all HSCTs have been using the services of one of two providers that had successfully tendered for the 2015 Wigs and Associated Products contract. 'A regional commissioning position on the provision of wigs across NI, encompassing cancer services, dermatology and psychiatry, is required to support implementation of any proposed change to the current process.'
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Hair stylist hits out at inability to bid for NHS wig contracts
The Department of Health has confirmed to this newspaper that there is currently 'no regional tendering process' in place for hairdressers here. Individuals can access free wigs through Health and Social Care services but, since 2015, only two hairdressers in the entire region have been permitted to supply wigs for NHS patients, it has been revealed. Wigs are used by patients undergoing chemotherapy or with hair loss conditions but, due to red tape, there hasn't been a procurement exercise for three years. One Health and Social Care Trust said that the 'non-existence of a product specification' and the 'lack of national and international standards for wigs' is the reason for this. It comes after a Co Down hairdresser — who has been in the business for more than 30 years and does not wish to be named — said that it is 'not fair' that the process for the tender is essentially closed to newcomers. 'Some wigs can cost up to £2,000. And if I had a chance of securing this tender, some of my customers could have easier access to wigs they're entitled to under the NHS,' she told the Belfast Telegraph. 'This problem desperately needs solved but the Health Department and the Trusts aren't providing a clear pathway on how to solve this issue. 'If I had a shot at it, at least for one year, it would grow my business and allow me to hire more people. But this means no one else gets a chance. 'A lot of my customers find that the wigs help with their confidence after experiencing hair loss. It's hard for them to cope; losing your hair can be a loss of your femininity.' A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that agreement on tenders is based on a 'locally agreed criteria' through individual health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland. 'The Department of Health does not have a role in procurement of these services,' they said. 'Availability of such services is determined at Trust level and arrangements are in place to offer appliances in line with locally agreed criteria.' The South Eastern Trust, where the hairdresser has based their business, however, said that since 2022 a procurement exercise to determine who is awarded the tender was stood down. 'The non-existence of a product specification and lack of national/international standards for wigs currently means that a regional tendering process has not been possible,' a spokesperson said. 'A procurement exercise in 2022 was stood down mainly due to a lack of a suitable product specification and national standards for the supply of wigs. 'This resulted in the procurement panel not being able to evaluate bids from a value for money perspective.' The South Eastern Trust revealed: 'As a result, all five Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) in NI are exploring the opportunity to reform wig provision. 'Legal advice sought back in 2022 indicated that due to current NI legislation and subsequent policy position, all HSCTs were limited in any changes they could make to how wigs were to be procured. 'Trust representatives, together with the DoH, have been progressing work to establish a way forward for the future supply of wigs, which will include consideration of procurement options by Procurement and Logistics Service and any legislative or policy changes required. 'In the meantime, all HSCTs have been using the services of one of two providers that had successfully tendered for the 2015 Wigs and Associated Products contract. 'A regional commissioning position on the provision of wigs across NI, encompassing cancer services, dermatology and psychiatry, is required to support implementation of any proposed change to the current process.'
Belfast Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Ground-breaking robotic tech for prostate surgery installed at the Ulster Hospital
Ground-breaking robotic technology that 'greatly improves quality of life' for men suffering from prostate problems has been installed at the Ulster Hospital. Aquablation Therapy eliminates the need for invasive prostate surgery and is the first treatment of its kind to be rolled out on the the island of Ireland. Belfast man David Fleming has become one of the first patients to benefit from the new technology. 'I have had an enlarged prostate for the last 10 years and I have been suffering with urine retention that required a hospital admission where I also required a catheter to be fitted. 'When my consultant informed me of this new technology a few months ago during a telephone call, I was excited to give it a go.' The precision technique involves using image-guided, high-velocity water jets to remove excess prostate tissue and is one of the most advanced and innovative treatments currently available for patient's experiencing urinary symptoms. Living with an enlarged prostate can have a detrimental impact on day-to-day life and can cause a frequent need to pee and difficulty fully emptying their bladder. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms such as acute urinary retention and infections. "The benefits of Aquablation were explained to me and I thought it was a no brainer, basically because it is more accurate, there is less blood loss and a shorter period under anaesthetic as well with better outcomes,' Mr Fleming said. 'This will really make a difference and will greatly improve my quality of life, as I will now be able to remove the catheter which can be inconvenient. I was nervous undergoing the procedure, but the staff in the Day Procedure Unit in the Ulster Hospital have been fantastic at making me feel at ease. I would definitely recommend it.' The South Eastern Trust has been chosen to enhance the Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO) service by using real-time ultrasound imaging to assist surgeons in mapping and directing the water jet with accuracy to avoid damage to nearby nerves and structures responsible for sexual function and continence. Unlike traditional procedures, no heat is involved, significantly lowering the risk of complications. The state-of-the-art technology reduces the likelihood of side effects such as erectile dysfunction, incontinence and bleeding that may require transfusion – it also offers shorter hospital stays and lower retreatment rates, improving overall outcomes for patients. Consultant Urologist, Mr Ajay Pahuja, believes it is cause for optimism. 'We are excited to launch this remarkable robotic technology that offers significant benefits for our Urology patients," he said. "Aquablation Therapy helps avoid invasive surgery and its associated risks, offering quicker recovery times and minimal discomfort. The robotic precision ensures targeted treatment, significantly reducing the chances of damaging surrounding tissues. Early outcomes have shown rapid and significant improvement in urinary symptoms.' Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Aquablation Therapy in providing substantial relief from symptoms and maintaining low rates of irreversible complications. Patient-reported outcomes are equal to, or better than alternative procedures, with this treatment boasting 99.5% continence preservation rate, preserving 100% of erectile function and maintaining 89% of ejaculatory function. South Eastern Trust Director of Surgery, Maggie Parks hopes to see similar results among male patients being treated at the Ulster Hospital which is commited to delivering world-class care. "As a Centre of Excellence in the South Eastern Trust, we are proud to lead the way in Northern Ireland, giving patients from across the Region access to the latest technology and the highest standards of treatment,' she said. Assistant Director of Surgery Katharine Dane added, 'Bringing the Aquablation service to Northern Ireland has been a collaborative project between our colleagues in SPPG (Performance, Safety and Service Improvement Department) and a variety of corporate and operational teams within the South Eastern Trust. We are all delighted to now see this service come to fruition and be able to make a significant difference to men's health across the Region. Being able to offer a full range of treatments for patients with bladder outlet problems is very exciting for all the teams involved.' Delighted to be partnering with the South Eastern Trust, Procept BioRobotics Account Manager, Bobby Badesha said, 'We are excited to be working closely with the Trust to bring Aquablation Therapy to patients in Northern Ireland. 'This partnership highlights our commitment to expanding access to innovative, minimally invasive treatments for prostate patients improving outcomes and their quality of life.'
