Category: Health

Many of us may be making plans for the bank holiday on Monday 26 August. If you are unfortunate enough to have an illness or injury over the long weekend, this information could help you get back on your feet in no time.

NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS South Sefton CCG suggest you could be getting better sooner if you see your local pharmacist or contact NHS 111 (by phone or online.)

Some local pharmacies are open on bank holiday Monday and may be able to give you the advice and medication you need, without having to wait to see your GP. You can find your local pharmacy bank holiday opening times on the CCGs’ websites.

If you do need to see a doctor or nurse, there are now GP appointments at weekends and weekday evenings across Sefton. You can either book an appointment via your GP practice, or NHS 111 can book an appointment with your nearest service – so long as you are registered with a GP practice in Sefton.

The NHS 111 freephone number is available any time day or night. Trained call handlers can give you the advice you need, or direct you to the service best suited for your need.

Susanne Lynch, head of medicines management at the CCGs in Sefton, said: “At any time of year, it’s a good idea to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet to treat common illnesses or minor injuries. Paracetamol, bandages, plasters, painkillers, indigestion remedies and a thermometer would help most healthy adults deal with most minor illnesses and ailments.

She added: “If you need any further advice, I would recommend calling NHS 111, going to NHS 111 online or visiting your local pharmacy. These services are excellent options for dealing with any non-urgent medical concerns.”

You can find the pharmacy opening times for each CCG area here:

South Sefton: https://www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/may-and-august-bank-holiday-opening-times-for-pharmacies/

Southport and Formby: https://www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/may-and-august-bank-holiday-opening-times-for-pharmacies/

NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are inviting local people to attend their combined ‘Big Chat’ and annual review events in September.

The events are an opportunity for residents to find out about the work that their local CCG has carried out in the past year. Attendees are also invited to share their experiences of local health services and give their views about the CCGs’ latest and forthcoming programmes and plans for the next 12 months.

Dr Craig Gillespie, local GP and NHS South Sefton CCG chair, said: “These events give people the chance to have a chat with their local health commissioners and share their feedback about our plans. We will also combine these events with our Annual General Meeting (AGM), so people can find out about how well we have performed during the past year.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and NHS Southport and Formby CCG chair, said: “There will also be a ‘marketplace’ of information stalls promoting local health, care and support services. Some of the services attending the events will include Macmillan, Healthwatch Sefton and a 7-day GP extended access.

“The feedback we receive during these kinds of events is really useful. I encourage anyone that is interested in finding out more about local health services and commissioning, and who is interested in sharing their views on these topics, to attend one of our ‘Big Chat’ events.”

The ‘Big Chat’ events will take place on:

• NHS Southport and Formby CCG: Tuesday 10 September, 1pm to 4.30pm at The Bliss Hotel (formerly the Ramada Hotel) adjacent to Floral Hall on the waterfront in Southport, PR9 0DZ.
• NHS South Sefton CCG: Thursday 12 September, 1pm to 4.30pm at Bootle Cricket Club, Wadham Road, L20 2DD.

Residents are encouraged to attend the event for their local CCG in order to get the most relevant information.

People are asked to register in advance by emailing southportandformby.ccg@nhs.net for the event on 10th September, or southsefton.ccg@nhs.net for the event on 12th September. You can also register by calling 0151 317 8456.

For more information on the events visit the CCG websites:

https://www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/our-chat-events

https://www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/our-chat-events/

Health professionals in Sefton came together on Monday 8th July to hold a ‘Big Tea’ and cake bake event to raise money for a local NHS charity.

‘Big Tea’ events are being held across the country raising money for NHS Charities Together on and around the 71^st birthday of the National Health Service. These donations will be distributed to a number of NHS charities throughout the UK to help further support and benefit local patients.

As NHS charities make a huge difference to the lives of patients and their families and the wonderful staff who care for them, members of staff from NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG decided to bake cakes and raise money for The Walton Centre Charity, one of the many NHS charities that will benefit from the ‘Big Tea’ events.

Located in Liverpool, The Walton Centre is a specialist hospital trust dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at the CCGs in Sefton, said: “It was great to take a break and celebrate another fantastic year of the NHS. Thank you to everyone at the CCGs who participated in the bake sale by baking or buying some of the delicious treats here today. All the money raised will go to our local Walton Centre Charity, which helps so many people in our area.”

“I would also like to take this time to thank all of our staff, who work tirelessly to support people in our community. Last year was a big birthday for the NHS but it’s still nice to mark the occasion by doing something like this for charity this year. “

The CCGs are now encouraging others to hold their own ‘Big Tea’ celebrations in appreciation of the NHS. You can hold a tea party with friends or organise your own charity bake sale.

Further information, resources and a Plan a Party guide are available at www.nhsbigtea.co.uk

Healthcare in Sefton will only work if people get to have their say – urges former midwife, Anne Major.

Anne, from Southport, who also used to be a neonatal nurse, is encouraging others to speak out as part of the national ‘What Would You Do?’ campaign, led by independent health and social care champion Healthwatch Sefton.

The campaign aims to encourage people in Sefton to share their views about how extra money from the Government should be spent on local NHS services.

The Government is investing £20 billion a year in the NHS as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Local organisations are now being asked to explore how services should change locally to make the NHS work better for people.

Anne, who is also Healthwatch Sefton locality representative for Central Southport, said: “When I have been at listening events at Southport and Formby hospital with Healthwatch Sefton we get fantastic comments and feedback about health services through talking with and listening to people.

“Patients are the experts. Each and every one of them has a story to share – whether that’s good or bad. I would encourage others to take part in the campaign and make sure their voice is heard.”

Anne has had plenty of first-hand experience with health and care services in the borough, having worked as a midwife and neonatal nurse for more than 30 years. She has personal experience of the NHS due to her husband having had a quadruple heart by-pass and is passionate about ensuring that the care of her family and community is the best the NHS can provide.

Maureen Kelly, Chair of Healthwatch Sefton, added: “The NHS only works when the voices of the people who use it are heard. This is a once-in-a-generation chance for local people to help decide where this extra money from Government should be spent in our NHS services in Sefton.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible about what works, what doesn’t and how they think local health services should be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. Sharing your experience with us is quick and easy – and could make a big difference.”

People can share their views via this online survey.

Sefton residents are being asked for views about a number of local health policies, being reviewed to make sure NHS resources are used on the most effective treatments.

NHS South Sefton (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are working together with Halton, Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington CCGs to review a group of policies for procedures and treatments that are known as Criteria Based Clinical Treatments (CBCT).  These are routine procedures that are known to have medical benefit only in very specific situations, or for a small number of people.

This is the third phase of the review, which aims to keep NHS care up to date with the latest national clinical guidelines, methods and technology, whilst also making the best use of NHS resources.

The policies that Sefton residents are being asked to provide views on in this latest phase are:

• Continuous glucose monitoring systems
• Cough assist devices
• Insulin pumps
• Secondary care administered peripheral joint injections
• Surgery for prostatism or lower urinary tract infections
• Transanal irrigation

At the same time, the CCGs are letting people know about updates to their policy for Botulinum toxin treatments, bringing it in line with national guidance from NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Pan Mersey Area Prescribing Committee.

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “It is right that we regularly review the services we commission to ensure that we’re providing the most effective treatments that make the best use of our limited NHS resources.”

Dr Craig Gillespie, local GP and acting chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “This review of policies is about looking at the latest guidelines, treatments, methods and technologies and where there is very little or no evidence of effectiveness, there is no benefit in offering them to patients.

Craig added: “Any procedure comes with risk, so it’s important patients are offered those with the maximum clinical or functional benefit, not for cosmetic or psychological reasons. As clinicians we will explore other, more suitable treatments for patients with these types of needs.”

The information gathered will be used to help develop new or revised polices.

No final decisions have been made at this stage and it is important that as many people as possible give their views to help shape local NHS policies for the future.  Patients who might not be eligible for treatment will still be able to apply through an Individual Funding Request (IFR) where appropriate.

More details on proposed changes to the policies being reviewed along with a survey, open until 7 July 2019, can be found on each CCG’s website www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk or www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk or by emailing mlcsu.involvement@nhs.net or calling 01782 872 506.