Health Network Event

The next Health Network Event will be held on Tuesday 8 October 2019 at Parbold Village Hall.  Sarah Clubb from The Big Lottery will speaking about funding opportunities for voluntary and community organisations.  There will also be presentations about the new health structures in West Lancs and how they will affect the voluntary sector as well as updates from local groups.  In addition, Lancashire County Council’s Public Health will be discussing what is meant by ‘behaviour change‘.   Places must be booked – please complete a booking form and return to Vicky Attwood.  If you have any questions about the event please contact Vicky.

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New Health Sexual Violence Liaison Officer

A new position for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital, the officer will support victims/survivors of sexual abuse by:

• Empowering healthcare staff in dealing with victims of sexual abuse (recent and historic).
• Creating a clear referral pathway for staff and victims identified in the hospital setting.
• Identify victims, particularly those in mental health crisis, and enable them to access the correct support to prevent repeat admissions.
• Prevent repeat victimisation by offering victims a chance to access support.
• Improve integration between community services and healthcare pathways.

The officer is keen to integrate with West Lancashire services so is offering training to help staff members identify, recognise and refer victims of sexual abuse.

The E.S.A.I.R training (Equipped in Sexual Abuse Identification and Referral) is new training that is being piloted which aims to give staff the confidence to identify, ask and refer incidents of sexual abuse.

Please contact Faye Speed, Health Sexual Violence Liaison Officer, Southport And Ormskirk NHS Trust on 01704 705248 or email faye.speed@nhs.net

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Public Health England launches new strategy

Public Health England (PHE) has launched a new strategy, setting out how the organisation will work to protect and improve the public’s health and reduce health inequalities over the next five years.

PHE Strategy 2020 to 2025 outlines PHE’s role within the public health system, 10 priorities where PHE will focus particular effort and the areas where PHE will build capability within the organisation to support delivery of its strategic objectives and wider activities.

PHE has published both a brief executive summary of the document and the full version of the strategy which provides more detail on PHE’s aims and activities over the next 5 years. You can also read a blog about the launch of the strategy and why it matters by Duncan Selbie.

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New students offered vital health advice from their local NHS

STUDENTS beginning university life at Edge Hill are being offered useful health advice from the local NHS.

For many students this will be the first time that they have moved away from home, and although it is an exciting time it is really important that they look after their health and follow NHS advice.

Register with a local GP: If, like most students, you spend more time at your college address than your family’s address, it’s really important that you register with a GP practice and for students embarking on a degree at Edge Hill University, there are 15 GP practices in West Lancashire and to find out where your nearest GP practice is visit www.nhs.uk and search ‘how to register with a GP practice’.

For those students living on campus, you may find that your nearest GP practice is Beacon Primary Care, who have a practice onsite at Milton House, 41 Ruff Lane, Ormskirk, L39 4QX, which is on the university campus.

Once you register with your GP, you are then registered for your entire time at University and you do not need to register again whilst studying in West Lancashire.

By registering with a GP practice, you can receive emergency care if you need it, and access health services quickly and easily while studying.

Registering with a GP is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

You can also visit an NHS Walk-in-Centre/Urgent Treatment Centre if you fall ill when your GP practice is closed. In West Lancashire there are two centres, the Skelmersdale walk-in-centre and the West Lancashire Urgent Treatment Centre, which is based at Ormskirk Hospital, Wigan Road, Ormskirk, L39 2AZ.

These centres are open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, including all holidays and staff within these centres can treat minor injuries and minor ailments. To access help, visit the centre you would like to use and speak to the receptionist. Patients can book on the day appointments at the Ormskirk centre by calling FREEPHONE NHS 111.

Getting ill during the holidays: If you become unwell when you’re at home or away from university then you can still contact your nearest GP practice to ask for treatment, and you can receive treatment for 14 days.

Register with a dentist: Dental problems can’t be dealt with by doctors, so it is really important that students register with a dentist. You can find a dentist online: www.nhs.uk/Service-Search

Not all treatment is free, even under the NHS. However, you may be able to apply for help with dental costs online: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/get-help-with-dental-costs/

For emergency dental treatment when your dentist is closed, call 0300 1234 010.

Check your vaccinations: There are a series of vaccinations that are available to students. The Men ACWY vaccine, which protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia. This vaccination is available to all 17-and-18-year olds in school, and first-time university students up to the age of 25.

All university and colleges advise their students to be immunised against mumps before beginning their studies. Most children will have had this immunisation as part of their routine childhood MMR vaccine immunisation for mumps, measles and rubella. However, if unsure, please speak to your GP.

Each year over the winter months, the NHS strongly recommends that people protect themselves from the flu, with the annual flu vaccination. This vaccination is especially important for people living with long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or kidney disease.

Dr Ros Bonsor, GP lead at NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Starting university is an incredibly exciting time, but it is vitally important that students take the time to register with a GP and dentist and ensure that they protect themselves from common illnesses.

“What many students don’t realise is that once you have registered with a GP practice, then you do not have to do so again, even if you go home for summer, Easter or winter holidays. Once you’ve registered then you have your GP for the whole of your university life.

“Once you have registered with a GP and dentist, it is important to make sure that you protect yourself from common, and sometimes serious illnesses by visiting your GP and receiving your Men ACWY and flu vaccine, and checking that you have already had your MMR vaccine.”

Further information is available on the NHS website by searching ‘getting medical care as a student’ at www.nhs.uk.

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CCG receives positive rating

NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been rated as ‘good’ for a second consecutive year, following an annual assessment by NHS England.

The annual CCG assessment for 2018/19 by NHS England assesses each CCG in the country on a number of performance-based indicators against a CCG improvement and assessment framework (CCG IAF). This CCG IAF aligns key objectives and priorities as part of their aim to deliver their Five-Year Forward View. There are four available ratings; inadequate, requires Improvement, good and outstanding, with the CCG obtaining the second highest rating ‘good’.

The rating praised the progress the CCG has made in areas including its excellent work around diabetes and dementia clinical indicators. For diabetic patients this involved meeting all treatment targets as set out by NICE as well as incorporating education and self-help with education courses made available for all patients living with a diagnosis. With regards to dementia indicators included diagnosis rates, care planning and ongoing support for patients.

The CCG was commended on their clear focus on Children and Young People, particularly through community-based schemes, such as their investment in an innovative fully immersive sleep therapy room at Twinkle House in Skelmersdale, which aids children who are having difficulties with their sleep; they have also encouraged paediatric services in West Lancashire to work closer with Twinkle House; support for parents/carers with children living with autism, and a full review of children’s services within primary, secondary and community care that they are in the midst of carrying out.  The CCG is currently undertaking a review of services for children and young people, which includes workshops and visioning with the third sector and patient groups, in order to identify where improvements can be made.

Another highlight within the rating is the 100 per-cent take up of the CCG’s extended GP access scheme.  Launched in 2017, the GP Extended Access scheme allows all patients in West Lancashire to access a GP in the evening and weekend’s seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all bank holidays. West Lancashire patients can access a GP at the Sandy Lane Health Centre, Ormskirk Medical Centre and Burscough Health Centre and to make an appointment, patients can call their GP receptionist and request an appointment in the evening or weekend.

The CCG has also been recognised for its good working relationships with neighbouring CCGs, local authorities and providers.  These relationships have been further strengthened through our joint work on the acute sustainability programme relating to Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust and also the CCG’s continued vision for joined up care, ‘Building for the Future’, which involves the third sector, social care and many other health and care colleagues.  Relationships are also particularly significant within the formation of the West Lancashire Partnership which has an out of hospital focus and is the coming together of key West Lancashire partners who will work together to address what the people of West Lancashire want and need, to improve everyone’s overall wellbeing and enhance their quality of life.

The NHS England annual assessment information is available on their website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/regulation/ccg-assess/iaf/

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AppleCast suicide prevention project – seeking referrals

The Lancashire & South Cumbria Suicide Prevention Innovation Fund is supporting AppleCast in Newburgh, West Lancs, with a project targeting men with depression. Instead of employing a handyman, they have been setting up a maintenance group called ‘Cast Men in Sheds’ for site maintenance and routine jobs that need to be carried out on their 26 acre site. The group also has the opportunity to fish as part of their day. Fishing is considered to be very therapeutic and calming for the mind. The concept is that men who are struggling are more likely to talk about their issues if they are involved with other men in a group activity. Men who get involved with this project will actually be contributing something real and valuable to the community.

They will trial the project for 20 weeks and would also like to hold a community suicide awareness raising event. They held one last summer in memory of a young man who had died from suicide and was known to the charity.

For AppleCast, branching out into the field of mental health is a new area. Their Chief Exec, Neil Farnworth is incredibly motived to make a difference. They need help with referrals into this project so that it can grow and support as many vulnerable men as possible. If you are connected to any services in the West Lancs area, or with vulnerable men willing to travel to the project please get in touch, they would greatly appreciate your local support.

To find out more about AppleCast please visit: www.castnw.net or give them a call on: 01257 463 012.

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Changes to Adult Carers Services

Previously these Carers Services were delivered under the umbrella name Carers Lancashire and provided by n-compass Northwest and Carers Link Lancashire.

From Monday 1 July 2019 a new Carers Service has been commissioned to deliver the same offer of support to generic and mental health Carers under one contract. The Service is named The Lancashire Carers Service and will be delivered in partnership, n-compass Northwest delivering in North and Central Lancashire and Carers Link Lancashire delivering in East Lancashire.

The new Lancashire Carers Service will continue to support Carers by Statutory Carers Assessments, Peace of Mind 4 Carers Plans and a range of wrap around support to enable Carers to take a break from their caring role.

Other support also includes:

• Specialist 1-2-1 and group support
• Magazines twice a year detailing local groups, activities and courses
• Support to access community and Health and Wellbeing services
• A 24/7 Volunteer manned Carers Help and Talk (CHAT) Line
• Volunteer Befriending and Sitting-In services
• Support for former Carers
• Volunteering opportunities for Carers, including volunteering for the CHAT Line, Befriending and Sitting-In services
• Carers Awareness Briefings for professionals

The Lancashire Carers Service works across the county providing support and information to adult Carers (18+).

Contact details: Telephone: 0345 688 7113 option 2 / Text: 07786201226 / Email: enquiries@lancscarers.co.uk

See website: //ncompassnorthwest.co.uk/services/carers-support/lancashire-carers-service

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The Lancashire Wellbeing Service

The Lancashire Wellbeing Service will cease to operate on Tuesday 31 December 2019.

As part of the agreed exit strategy with Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Wellbeing Service will stop receiving referrals into the service from Sunday 1 September 2019.

The Lancashire Wellbeing Service (and consortium partners; n-compass, Age Concern and Richmond Fellowship) would like to thank you everyone for their support over these past few months, not least in helping to ensure that the response to the consultation was robust.

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Report published on spending on low level children’s mental health services

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, has published a report looking at the amount spent on ‘low-level’ mental health support for children in England.

‘Low-level’ mental health services are preventative and early intervention services for treating problems like anxiety and depression or eating disorders, such as support provided by school nurses or counsellors, drop-in centres or online counselling services. These services are vital for offering early help to children suffering from mental health problems and can often prevent conditions developing into much more serious illnesses.

The report reveals that local areas, which included both local authorities and NHS spending, allocated a total of £226 million for low-level mental health services in 2018/19, just over £14 per child. It reveals wide variations between areas in how much funding is available: the top 25% of local areas spent at least £1.1 million or more, while the bottom 25% spent £180,000 or less. You can read a summary of the report here, where you can also access the full report.

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Quit Squad need venues

The Trust’s Quit Squad is keen to engage with local communities to improve their well-being and is looking for like-minded stakeholders in the community to work alongside them to do this.
The service offers drop in clinics, one to one appointments, group sessions and workplace support. The Quit Squad is always looking for venues in communities where advisors can deliver the service and is keen to hear from any stakeholders who would be able to work with them and provide a venue that people who would like to stop smoking can attend.

The service is provided across four locality teams throughout the Lancashire County Council region. The teams comprises specialist advisors, smokefree homes staff, promotional and project workers, team leaders and managers. They have a strong track record of helping patients quit smoking and have a wealth of information and advice to support a person’s journey to becoming a non-smoker.

The service can be contacted on 0800 328 6297 to access support to stop smoking or if you are a stakeholder that is interested in working alongside them.

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MindsMatter Update

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s MindsMatter service has extended the range of treatment that it provides and is now able to offer access to a text based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) service. This allows clients to access an increased level of flexibility on appointment times and sessions can take place in the comfort of their own homes using just a smart phone and an email address. There is only a small wait for this service and referrals can be made in the usual way, stating IESO as a treatment preference.

In addition to this, in most localities the service runs 6 week courses for Stress Control and one-off workshops including a happiness hour and relaxation sessions.  MindsMatter is a wellbeing service offering a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire. People can self-refer into the service by telephone (01772 773437) or online.

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Innovative new sleep therapy introduced in West Lancashire

Twinkle House in Skelmersdale has launched an innovative new fully immersive sleep therapy room following funding from NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), this compliments an already existing sleep clinic which was launched in November 2018.

Twinkle House, the sensory and wellbeing centre based in Skelmersdale has launched the new immersive interactive room and sleep clinic to help aid children and young people from two years to 19 years old, who are facing sleep deprivation issues.

The new clinic and fully immersive experience sleep therapy room will look to offer children an alternative to traditional medication used to aid sleep, whilst also offering a support network to parents and carers who as a result of their child’s sleeping difficulties find themselves also struggling.

Read more.

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West Lancashire residents are knitting, walking and gardening their way to good health

Sewing, working out at the gym and singing are just some of the ways that Skelmersdale residents are boosting their health and wellbeing, thanks to a successful social prescribing pilot.

Other than prescribing medicine, whenever possible GPs have started referring to a team of social prescribers who are equipped to help individuals improve their health using non-medical solutions. There are a range of ways people can be supported following on from an initial confidential one to one meeting to understand current issues the person is facing. So far, since the initiative launched in April 2018 the service has identified several ways to support people to feel better such as through access to a gym, knitting groups, lunch clubs, bereavement groups, art classes, pottery, gardening and walking clubs. Around 150 people have been supported so far, embracing changes to their lives in different ways.

The team is so reactive that social media is even playing a part. This winter, a Manchester hospital consultant reached out on twitter to identify some support for a patient with loneliness. The team jumped into action and managed to speak directly to the patient and refer them into the service. They quickly identified there were several immediate needs they could support the individual with, such as issuing a foodbank voucher and helping with housing related issues.

Social Prescribing Support Worker Nicci Sutton-Kelsall says: “What is great about social prescribing is it is not off the shelf and we tailor everything around what the individual needs.  We look at their lifestyle, what they are interested in, what their needs are, where they live, whether they drive. We support them to improve their lives and feel happier and healthier day to day.  While we are all grateful for medical advances we have today, sometimes medicine is not the answer to support those who need it which is where social prescribing can really play a vital role”.

Paul, 47, from Birch Green in Skelmersdale is someone who has been receiving support from the service.  He says: “I have cerebral palsy and use crutches so I am limited to what I can do day to day. I’m lucky to have a good support network of friends and family but it’s easy to live in my own bubble, and I wanted to lift my mood and leave the house more.

“Since being with the social prescribing service, I’ve been to some weight management sessions.  I am a diabetic that I control by diet and I’m a bang it in the microwave kind of cook, so I am also signed up to work with the Junk Food Café and get some cooking tips from them, so I eat healthier. I have arthritis and painful shoulders from my crutches, and this gets worse if I sit still a lot, so next week I also have my first one of some gym sessions to help me be more active.

“If anyone is feeling lonely or anxious, or whatever their issue is, they should get in touch with the service.  You won’t change overnight but if you don’t try, you’ll be stuck in that same situation in future but probably with worse symptoms.  The more you do it the better you get – give it a try.  You have nothing to lose!”

If you’re registered with a Skelmersdale based GP practice and think you could benefit from some social prescribing, contact the team on 01695 733 737.

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Opt-out organ donation: Max and Keira’s Bill passed into law

From 2020, adults in England will be considered potential donors unless they choose to opt out or are excluded.

A new system for organ donation that will save hundreds of lives has come into law, with the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill receiving Royal Assent on 15 March. Royal Assent means the bill is now an act of parliament.

The Organ Donation Act will mean adults in England will be considered potential donors unless they chose to opt out or are excluded. The act is known as Max and Keira’s law in honour of a boy who received a heart transplant and the girl who donated it.

Read more

The government’s public awareness campaign will help raise awareness of the new system before it comes into force in spring 2020, and give people the time to have the conversations they need.

Those who do not wish to donate their organs will still be able to record their decision on the NHS Organ Donation Register. They will be able to do this through NHS Blood and Transplant’s website or helpline.

The government will also consult on whether certain organs should be excluded from the opt-out system.

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Mental health drop in sessions rolled out seven-days a week

Mental health support drop-in sessions now rolled out seven-days a week in Skelmersdale.

Originally launched in August 2018 and based at the Skelmersdale PULSE (Unit 73, Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LN), under the name Three Little Birds. A specialist mental health drop-in support session for any residents living in West Lancashire were held weekly, for just three hours a week, but following funding from NHS England and NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), this vital support service has now been further rolled out to take place daily.

The purpose of the drop-in sessions is for anyone who needs support with their mental health, whether that is for low mood, depression, anxiety or other reasons. They will have a protected safe space where they can talk through how they are feeling with trained facilitators, who will sit down and listen to what they are saying and offer support and advice.

Marji Ridgley, manager at PULSE, said: “People just want someone to believe them, to believe that what they’re going through is real and that they’re not alone.

“It’s really important to people living with a mental health condition that when they reach out for support, that it’s not met with a ‘just get over it’ or ‘pull yourself together’, our drop-in sessions at PULSE are there for anyone, we won’t judge and we want to listen to what you have to say.

“By simply taking the time to sit with people, have a cup of tea and a chat about how they’re feeling, we’ve seen people come back to simply say thank you for listening to me.”

Dr Rosalind Bonsor, a GP in West Lancashire and clinical lead for mental health at NHS West Lancashire CCG, said: “This service at PULSE is absolutely vital and we’re delighted to see it move from a weekly session to a seven-days a week support session.

“For many people facing a mental health challenge, having somewhere to go where they can talk through their feelings can be vital.

“By providing this easy to access vital support service, we can help people get the support they need earlier.

“This early intervention can prove to be essential in ensuring that the challenges that people are facing do not escalate further.”

The service is open to all residents in West Lancashire.  Appointments are not required so those wanting support can just turn up at PULSE at the following times 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Wednesday; 9.30am to 6.30pm Thursday and Friday; 9.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday and 11.00am to 3.00pm on Sunday.

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New chronic pain management service to be delivered for West Lancashire residents

The NHS in West Lancashire has developed a new specialist service to support patients living with chronic pain. The service, iHELP Pain Management service, has been designed by local clinicians and patients.

After a formal procurement process, the new provider InHealth began providing the two-year pilot service in April 2019.  As there was no specialist community based chronic pain service in West Lancashire, patients are being managed between GPs and hospitals. This new service will offer specialist care and introduce a holistic approach to a patient’s individual needs by examining the full picture, including, for example physical activity, nutrition and psychological needs.

Chronic pain is a pain that persists beyond the point at which healing would be expected (three to six months).

Mike Maguire, chief officer of NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

“With the help of patients who kindly took the time to share their views with us and our local clinicians and other partners, we have achieved what we set out to do and can now start offering this service from the Spring. 

The new iHELP service which will be a single point of referral, will be fine-tuned to ensure patients are appropriately managed and importantly that their individual needs are catered for.”

Dr Vik Mittal, local GP and board member of NHS West Lancashire CCG, said:

“Living with chronic pain is not pleasant for anyone, which is especially why it’s so important we have the right services in place that are accessible for everyone. GPs have been trying to manage these patients in primary care with some referrals to hospital but without the availability of any holistic support.   This innovative specialist service will support those patients addressing their specific individual needs.” 

Once the service is launched, the CCG would like to hear what patients think and how their experiences have been.  Please contact them on 01695 588 203 or wlccg.myview@nhs.net

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Care Quality Commission 2018 maternity survey

The CQC asked over 17,600 women who gave birth early last year about their experience of maternity care. Nationally, they found that most women had a good experience, particularly in relation to support from staff, access to midwives and emotional support during pregnancy.

But some areas fell short of expectations. Issues highlighted included those around continuity of care, choice in antenatal and postnatal services and access to help, and information and support after giving birth.

See the survey results for each local trust

Find out more about the 2018 maternity services survey

Read the press release

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Greater Manchester Alert – UPS pills

You may have seen press reports about three young people being hospitalised after taking ‘UPS’ pills in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Testing has found that the pills contained an extremely high dose of alpha-PVP (a hallucinogenic stimulant drug).  As a result, Public Health England would like to disseminate the alert across the North West to raise-awareness of this drug and its effects.  Please therefore cascade the alert and attached information.

Please do not hesitate to contact Susan Barton-Johal for further information – susan.barton-johal@phe.gov.uk

Office: 03442250562 option 3 option 2  / Mobile: 07747564388

www.gov.uk/phe  Twitter @PHE_uk & @PHE_NorthWest

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Launch of new Specialist Inpatient Unit for Mothers with Perinatal Mental Health Issues

Women living in Cumbria and Lancashire who are experiencing perinatal mental health problems can now access care, support and treatment through a new Mother and Baby Unit and Outreach service which has opened in Central Lancashire.

Read more

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Fifth of UK population in poverty, reports UN human rights specialist

Professor Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, has issued a statement following a research visit to the UK, in which he confirms that 14 million people, a fifth of the population, live in poverty.

Four million of these are more than 50% below the poverty line, and 1.5 million are destitute, unable to afford basic essentials. Describing the situation he discovered, Professor Alston said “For almost one in every two children to be poor in twenty-first century Britain is not just a disgrace, but a social calamity and an economic disaster, all rolled into one.”

The report explores the impact of Brexit, Universal Credit and the government’s ‘digital transformation’ in depth. It is heavily critical of the government for remaining “determinedly in a state of denial” about the dramatic decline in the fortunes of the least well off in the country. Professor Alston sets out a number of recommendations that he suggests could “readily solve” many of the problems that exist. You can read the full statement here.

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Managing medication is made easier thanks to the POD

Local NHS prescription service now extended to cover greater population of residents in West Lancashire.

NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Prescription Ordering Direct Service (POD) has now been extended with a base in Burscough to compliment the existing POD in Skelmersdale.

Originally launched as a pilot in Skelmersdale in 2017, the POD, is a prescribing hub which is based within GP practices, with skilled healthcare professionals, who are qualified to deal with prescriptions and offer medications advice. From October this year, a new POD opened in Burscough at the Burscough Health Centre, and the new prescribing service covering 16 of the 18 practices in West Lancashire.

The aim of the POD is to ensure that patients have the safest, most efficient way of ordering prescriptions. Wasted medicines cost the NHS in West Lancashire an estimated £600,000 per year. By introducing the PODs, the CCG is supporting patients on a repeat prescription in the ordering and management of their prescriptions, whilst simultaneously freeing up and reducing pressure on our GPs.

The new POD is based within the Burscough Health Centre and is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. With the Skelmersdale POD based in the Sandy Lane Health Centre and open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.

Mike Maguire, chief officer at NHS West Lancashire CCG, said: “Nowhere else in the country covers 90 per cent of their local population through their prescribing hubs.

“We are proud to say that 16 of our practices in West Lancashire are now utilising the prescribing hubs. By adding this service, we not only can continue to address the issue of medicines waste, by ensuring that patients only order what they need, but also free up GPs so that they are able to see more patients, sooner.

Dawn Threlfall, medicines optimisation project support manager, at NHS West Lancashire CCG, said: “Although other areas of the country also offer prescribing hubs, in West Lancashire our hubs are unique as they provide a greater range of services to our patients.

“Our PODs are a one-stop shop for anything medicine related for our patients. In addition to providing prescriptions, they also provide medicines reviews, picking up patient orders from GP surgeries and helping to deal with all correspondence and discharges from hospital.

“our service in West Lancashire is 100 per cent unique.”

For more information on the PODs and medicines waste, please visit the CCG’s website: bit.ly/CCGMedsTeam

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Patients with diabetes to benefit from new devices to help manage their condition

All eight NHS Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) in Lancashire and South Cumbria have passed two new clinical policies which mean patients with diabetes will now have consistent access to insulin pumps and glucose monitoring devices.  The two policies are the Provision of Insulin Pumps and the Provision of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Flash Glucose Monitoring, the latter of which includes the Freestyle Libre® device.  These policies ensure that qualifying diabetes patients have equity of access to insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and flash glucose monitors wherever they live in the region, which was not previously the case.  Read more.

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New Community Age Related Macular Degeneration service

The CCG has recently commissioned a community Age Related Macular Degeneration service (AMD) from SpaMedica. SpaMedica are providing the service in Skelmersdale. The treatment for AMD is regular injections in to the eye, which for most, results in a carer or chaperone needed to go with the Patient.  Prior to this service going live, West Lancashire patients, had no choice but to travel outside of the West Lancashire Boundary.  To find out more contact SpaMedica on 0330 058 4280.  See poster or read more about AMD.

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Free and innovative befriending service for people with sight loss

Sightline have launched a free befriending service for adults with sight loss.  The fully trained befrienders are available seven days a week and may cover any time from 8am to 10pm.  People are matched with a befriender, based on a variety of factors (e.g. interests, hobbies and availability), and develop a regular confidence-building befriending relationship over the phone.  Befriending services are a great way to alleviate loneliness, improve mental stimulation, and boost wellbeing.

See more information about how the service works, how to refer to it, or see large print leaflet to share.

For enquiries and further information call 0800 587 2252, email info@sightline.org.uk or see website: www.sightline.org.uk

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HPV vaccine to be given to boys in England

The government has announced that adolescent boys will be offered the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine to protect them from cancer.

See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hpv-vaccine-to-be-given-to-boys-in-england

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CQC tells local services to work more closely and use VCSE organisations

The CQC’s end of programme report ‘Beyond Barriers’ brings together all the learning from 20 geographical local system reviews of how older people move through the health and social care system.

They found that services need to look at working much closer together in order to improve people’s experiences.

Voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations are under-used in the planning and delivery of services.

Commissioning is critical in this planning, and yet they saw that commissioning was often focused on individual services rather than the whole system.

Can you learn from the case studies included within the report? Is a similar organisation to your own doing something you could replicate?

Use the report to have a conversation with partners, especially commissioners that you work with in your own local system, how can they involve you better in planning services?

Download the toolkit here to get started.

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Sugar reduction: report on first year progress

Public Health England (PHE) has recently published a report on industry’s progress on the sugar reduction and reformulation programme. The programme forms part of the 2016 Childhood Obesity Plan and aims to reduce sugar by 20% in the foods children eat most by 2020, with a 5% target in the first year.

While the 5% target was not met for the majority of products, there has been considerable progress with the sugar content of many products reduced by 2%. Five of the product categories have met or exceeded the first year target, including cereals, sweet spreads and yoghurts.

The progress across products in the out of home sector, such as cafes and takeaways, have been more difficult to assess due to data limitations, but will be included in future progress reports.

See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sugar-reduction-report-on-first-year-progress

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Citizens Advice: exploring the link between mental health and practical problems

This report highlights mental health practitioners’ experience of dealing with people’s practical problems, and what this means for people’s experience of care. Practical problems are part of everyday life, but also can be life-changing events, such as losing one’s job or caring for an unwell relative. Mental health services are seeing an increase in clients with practical problems, taking up significant clinical time. Clients often struggle to attend their appointments, or complete their course of treatment, and as a result, struggle to recover from their mental health problems. The impact of practical problems is severe for clients, practitioners and mental health services. You can read the report here.

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Consultant offering women advice on menopause

Support on hand for patients facing cancer

Cancer support networks have been set up across West Lancashire to help, guide and support patients who have cancer or their carers.

Staff are on hand to give a wide variety of support and guidance on coping with cancer at the events organised by West Lancashire Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service

Monthly meetings are held in Parbold, Banks and Tarleton and on weekdays in Skelmersdale.

Out of the main 10 cancers found in people across England – people in West Lancashire are more likely to develop cancer in three of these areas, according to health data relating to 2008-10. These areas of prevalence include breast cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer.

Macmillan points out cancer can affect all aspects of a person’s life, not just their health and the team will be highlighting issues around the financial impact of the disease with many people faced with extra costs they hadn’t considered.

Its research shows four in five people with cancer are £570 a month worse off as a result of their diagnosis, often due to being unable to work and having increased costs such as travel to hospital or increased fuel bills. Read more .

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Wheelchairs can be returned and reused 

Yvonne Baron and her team appeared on the TV, radio and in local newspapers in their appeal for the missing wheelchairs.

She said: “I would like to thank all the people who have contacted us so we were able to collect and then clean up and fix the wheelchairs so they can now be reused for other people.

“We noticed a sharp spike in the numbers returned because of the publicity we received. However, there are lots of NHS wheelchairs still out there and not being used – so please give us a call on 01695 556 492 so we can collect even more and recycle those too!”

Key areas for ‘hotspot’ wheelchair locations include Skelmersdale and Ormskirk.

Please call 01695 556 492 if you have a wheelchair to return.

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Virgin Care Single Point of Access (SPA)

Virgin Care recently launched the first phase of its Single Point of Access (SPA) service in West Lancashire which will bring Community Services together and make it easier and more efficient for health professionals to request support for patients from the Community Services teams. This new service is one part of the work that Virgin Care has been commissioned to deliver in West Lancashire over the coming years.

To access Virgin Care’s services, (outlined below for your information) call a single telephone number 0300 247 0011 . When you call this number you will be given an option and you will then be directed to the service you need.  Please note: The Continuing Healthcare service number will remain the same.

Read more.

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Only 1 in 3 people who are entitled to free eye tests at home make use of service *

Help make the lives of people who are home bound and the people who care for them a little simpler by telling them about their entitlement to this free service.

Encourage them to claim their free home visit by calling

0800 652 4948 or by visiting the website to book their free home visit.

* RNIB/Specsavers – The State of the Nation. Eye Health 2017: A Year in Review

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CCG want YOU to join their PPG Forum

Are you a member of your local West Lancashire GP practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG)? Then the CCG want to hear from you.  Read More…

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Children’s Voices – The Wellbeing of Children with Mental Health Needs in England

This report, released by the Children’s Commissioner, examines the wellbeing of vulnerable groups of children in England and their relationship with mental health services. Qualitative research explores the limited awareness of mental health issues in young people, focusing on their perception of mental health. Read the report now.

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Healthwatch Lancashire Captures Views about Access to Mental Health Services

Healthwatch Lancashire has published a report that captures views from the public about access to mental health services and the issues they face.  The report comes as part of a three-month-long project with the aim of giving service providers insight in to what the public know and feel about mental health and the services available to them.

Results from the report show that:

• 56% of people we spoke to said they had been affected by self-harm. The age group that reported this the most was 36-45 year olds.
• 62% of people we spoke to said the information on mental health and services is not accessible and helpful.
• Almost 70% of the people we spoke to said it would be helpful to have more online/app services to support with mental health.
• 17% of those who chose to comment told us that their mental health is being affected by employment, either current or lack of.
• When asked ‘What changes would you like to see regarding mental health by the year 2020?’ 22% of people said they would like more support in general and easier access to services. A further 7% specified that they would like more local community support.

The project saw staff and volunteers from Healthwatch Lancashire engaging with people in a variety of settings and speaking to a range of groups including young people, LGBT groups, learning disability groups, as well as revisiting some groups from the previous homelessness and deprivation project.

The full report ‘Access to mental health services’ can be read and downloaded online at www.healthwatchlancashire.co.uk/reports

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Cottage Lane Mission’s Free Befriending Service

The focus is mainly for those who have no family (or family are far away) and live alone.  All the volunteers are DBS checked and will have had references taken and had an induction & dementia friends session.

Please promote this service which is for anyone, either living in their own home or a care environment and includes people living with dementia.

Please contact Amanda Boult – friends@clmchurchormskirk.org.uk – if you have any questions.  Help with recruiting volunteers is also needed.

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Making Better Use of NHS 111

The Health Service wants us to use NHS 111 as the first port of call when we need urgent treatment. The big hope is that this will take some of the pressure off Accident and Emergency departments, by directing users to the most appropriate place. The mantra is ‘phone up before you turn up’.

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Update from the Patients Association

The Patients Association helpline is no longer using its 0845 608 4455 number but 020 8423 8999.

The Patients Association helpline is the national non-disease specific helpline for anyone trying to navigate the health and social care systems in the UK. The helpline service is free and confidential and provides practical advice on:

–         access to treatment

–         concern about treatment

–         how to make a complaint about any health or social care service

–         social care enquiries

–         patient’s rights and responsibilities

–         changing (or finding) your GP or dentist

–         seeing your medical records

For more information see the website and for downloadable information resources.

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Healthwatch Lancashire and Healthwatch Blackpool highlight the voice of A&E service users

Healthwatch Lancashire and Healthwatch Blackpool have published a report that brings together feedback and findings from six individual reports as part of its Patient Engagement Day programme of work in A&E departments across Lancashire and Blackpool.

The aim of this programme was to investigate patient’s views and experiences of using A&E departments in Lancashire and Blackpool, particularly in relation to which A&E they chose to visit, how they travelled to A&E, if patients had taken advice before deciding to attend A&E and if they were happy with the service they had received.

In total, 153 people in A&E waiting rooms shared their experiences including people at Ormskirk and District General Hospital.

Findings within the report show that 45% of patients had not gained medical advice prior to attending A&E, whilst 55% of patients had been in contact with or accessed medical advice through services such as their GP, NHS 111, ambulance service, walk-in centre, attending a follow up appointment or on an NHS website.

Of the patients who commented that they had gained medical advice prior to attending A&E, 97% had been advised to attend.

95% of patients said they were happy with the service they had received so far. 5% said they were not happy, with the majority discussing waiting times as an issue.

The full report, ‘Your Voice: A&E Departments in Lancashire’ can be read and downloaded online at:

Lancashire: www.healthwatchlancashire.co.uk/reports/reports  

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Listening Hands Therapy

Listening Hands Therapy aims to provide peer to peer massage instruction in primary schools, to help children to relax and focus, and to learn to care for each other and themselves. Read their first newsletter .

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Life expectancy stalling

This briefing from the Kings Fund provides an update on progress since the 2008 Marmot Review into the most effective evidence-based strategies for reducing health inequalities in England. This update finds that improvements on life expectancy at birth and remaining life expectancy at 65 have slowed since 2010. The analysis also finds that inequalities within and between local authorities have persisted.

Read the Briefing / Read the Marmot Review / see Related resources

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Health Needs Assessment of Asylum seekers and Refugees

A report of a Health Needs Assessment of Asylum seekers and Refugees that was conducted in Lancashire has been published. The Health Needs Assessment aims to describe the current situation of asylum seekers and refugees in the county, their specific health needs and the way they are being met in Lancashire. The report contains recommendations around what interventions are likely to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of this population group.

For more information about the report please contact Dr Alberto Mateo – Alberto.mateo@lancashire.gov.uk / Alberto.mateo@nhs.net

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Healthwatch Lancashire speak to service users at Ormskirk and District General Hospital

Healthwatch Lancashire has published a ‘Patient Engagement Day’ report, which captures the experiences of service users at Ormskirk and District General Hospital. Read more.

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Surviving or Thriving: the State of the Nation’s Mental Health

Read the report here.

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Video tells story of Well Skelmersdale 

This  short film is about Skem, told by the people of Skem.  It is 11 minutes long and can be viewed here.  Please get involved, ask questions, and like and share our story via social media and other online channels.

The aim of Well Skelmersdale is to create a connected community, by revolutionising the town, into a hub for health, wellbeing, leisure, enterprise, culture, learning and raising educational aspiration.

In order to achieve this, Well Skelmersdale will unleash the potential of its residents, places and assets and it will connect skills, education and employment. In addition, it will also provide a networking opportunity, bringing together community businesses, voluntary, faith and community organisations (both public and private).   Finally, it will utilise to its fullest, the green space that that the town is blessed with and will beautify its built environment, reframing health and ultimately making a real difference to real people.

If you would like to learn more about Well Skelmersdale, you can visit the website, or get in touch via wellskelmersdale@gmail.com.

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Community Diabetes Care Review

Since 1996, the percentage of adults in England with diabetes has doubled. My diabetes, my care looks at people’s experiences of diabetes care across England and the support they are given to self-manage their condition.

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MP raises awareness of avoiding alcohol in pregnancy

MP Bill Esterson is supporting a campaign urging women to protect their babies by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy. He was speaking during a visit to the maternity team at Ormskirk hospital to raise awareness of the issue on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) Day.  Mr Esterson is the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on FASD. He sponsored a Private Members’ Bill in Parliament last year calling for better labelling on containers carrying alcohol.

Although the Bill ran out of time – as is often the case with this type of proposed legislation – the Chief Medical Officer changed her advice to mums-to-be and women trying for a baby in January to abstain from drinking alcohol.

FASD is a condition caused when a child is exposed to alcohol in the womb, leaving a baby with a range of physical, behavioural and cognitive difficulties for the rest of their life.  The World Health Organisation estimates that FASD affects 1% of children or the equivalent of 7,000 babies born in England and Wales every year. In some areas the numbers could be significantly higher.

Read more.

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Act FAST for Stroke

Public Health England and the Stroke Association urge everyone to Act FAST if they spot any one of the signs of stroke.

A person loses 2 million nerve cells every minute that they do not receive medical treatment during a stroke. Nerve cells are the core components of the brain and the more that are lost, the greater the chance of permanent disability or death. The faster you act the more of the person you save.

Public Health England and the Stroke Association have produced a video showing what could happen if you Act FAST compared to waiting to see if someone gets better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc9OF64H4sE&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Stroke%20Association&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6289227_CAP01%2019%2F10%2F15%20FAST&utm_content=FAST%20video

Please spread the word about stroke by sharing this FAST video with the wider community. It’s already reached 35,000 people, let’s keep it going. See more: http://stroke-email.org.uk/1VKM-3QSSR-90KWFD9CB9/cr.aspx?v=2

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Understanding personal health budgets

People eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare now have a right to have a personal health budget, and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are currently looking at who else in their area could benefit from the flexibility of managing their care in this way. More information can be found on the NHS Choices website.

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Get online to be a click away from improving your health

NHS England is encouraging everyone to use the internet to help stay healthy.  For e.g. you can take a course to see how the internet can help you manage your health. Websites such as NHS Choices can help with those little health niggles, or you could book fitness classes online and order prescriptions. Find your nearest UK Online centre at www.ukonlinecentres.com or call 0800 77 1234.

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Progress Report – Improvements To Care In The Last Days And Hours Of Life

See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improvements-to-care-in-the-last-days-and-hours-of-life

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Infographic shows how your voice makes a difference

Healthwatch Lancashire have produced an illustration to demonstrate how your feedback makes a difference to the health and social care services in Lancashire.

The infographic aims to simplify how Healthwatch Lancashire are working towards improving health and social care in the county by listening to the views, opinions and concerns of residents and raising these with those who manage, run and commission services.  Healthwatch Lancashire challenge when intelligence shows that services need to improve and celebrate when we are told that they are performing well to share best practice. See website: http://healthwatchlancashire.co.uk/news/new-infographic-shows-how-your-voice-makes-a-difference/

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NHS Citizen update

NHS Citizen has kicked off with Gather – a website and programme of events for everyone to talk about how the NHS can improve. Citizens are discussing more than 20 conversations on different topics already.

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Be Clear on Cancer

PHE has launched a national Be Clear on Cancer campaign to drive awareness of the risk of breast cancer amongst women over 70 including increasing their knowledge of lesser-known symptoms.

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A Focus on Skelmersdale

Please click the link to read the full report on Skelmersdale commisioned by West Lancs CCG – www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/resources/corporate-documents/ . The introduction to the document is here – www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/introducing-a-new-report-the-seven-wards-a-focus-on-skelmersdale/

Flu vaccination

Flu occurs every winter in the UK.  For most healthy people, flu is an unpleasant but usually self-limiting disease with recovery taking up to a week. However, for older people, the very young, pregnant women and those with a pre-existing health condition (in particular diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or those with a weakened immune system) are at risk from the more serious effects of flu.

You are eligible for the free flu vaccine if you are pregnant, are aged 65 years or over, have a long-term health condition (check which conditions are eligible), or are a carer. Children aged 2 or 3 years are also eligible.

Having a flu vaccination protects you and those around you. Therefore, it is important that the uptake of the vaccination is increased to protect staff and vulnerable groups.

Please promote the message to raise awareness of the flu vaccination programme.

Here is a link to flu leaflets in several different languages:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-vaccination-who-should-have-it-this-winter-and-why

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National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2019

Will take place from 12 – 19 October 2019. Please get involved.

You can check out the Stop Hate UK site and also visit the National Hate Crime Awareness Week website for more details for ideas on getting involved. Also, be sure to look out for and use the hashtag #NHCAW on Twitter.

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‘Let’s Talk Loneliness’ campaign launched to tackle stigma of feeling alone

Loneliness Minister Mims Davies has launched a campaign to help to tackle the stigma of loneliness and encourage people to speak out.

‘Let’s Talk Loneliness’ brings together charities, organisations and businesses including The Marmalade Trust, the Co-op Foundation, the British Red Cross, the Campaign to End Loneliness, Mind, Public Health England and the Jo Cox Foundation to help people talk about their feelings.

Read more.

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Carers’ Week 10-16 June 2019

Carers’ Week is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of the challenges Carers face and recognise the contribution they make to their families and their communities. See website.

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Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Drowning Prevention Week 

Drowning in the UK is amongst the leading causes of accidental death.  Over 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year – equivalent to one person drowning every 10 hours!

Keep your family safe around water by making sure they know the Water Safety Code:

Whenever you are around the water:

Stop and think – look for the dangers, always read the signs

Stay together – never swim alone. Always go with friends or family

Avoid alcohol and drugs – never swim under the influence of alcohol or substances

Think about the temperature – the water will be much colder than you think and can send your body into shock, causing breathing difficulties, cramping, and death!

In an emergency:

Call 999 or 112 and shout for help

Float – if you fall in, float or swim on your back. Throw something in that floats to anyone that falls in.

See further resources or poster

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Cervical Cancer Week

See Jo’s Trust or the NHS website for more information.

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Heart Failure Awareness

Heart failure is a long-term condition meaning that your heart is not pumping blood around your body as effectively as it should. Typically, it is managed by lifestyle changes.

The most common symptoms are fluid retention (swollen ankles, legs and tummy), extreme tiredness and breathlessness, especially when lying flat. Other symptoms can include a persistent cough, lack of appetite, weight loss and a high heart rate. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, visit your GP.

As with many conditions and diseases, lifestyle choices are crucial and can impact someone’s levels of risk of developing heart problems. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, high cholesterol, weight and diabetes.  In West Lancashire, 63 per cent of adults are classed as overweight or obese, and more than 18,000 people have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Dr John Caine, West Lancashire GP and chair of NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says: “Heart failure does not mean your heart stops just that it is not working as it should.

“In West Lancashire, more than 1,250 people have been diagnosed with heart failure by their GP, but prevention is always best and there are clear risk factors associated with heart failure, many of which can be easily controlled with careful adjustments to lifestyle choices while boosting general health and wellbeing.

“The evidence is clear – we need to work together and educate people how to take control of their own health and minimise their risk”.

Visit www.nhs.uk and search ‘healthy body’ to see suggested healthy heart tips, which include giving up smoking and getting more active. The NHS online resource has a top a 10 health heart tips section, which if adopted can help us all to ensure that we keep our heart healthy.

See website: www.pumpingmarvellous.org

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Campaign Launch – ICON: Babies Cry, You Can Cope

Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Safeguarding Children Boards, and the Pan-Lancashire Child Death Overview Panel, are launching a new campaign which aims to help parents and carers to cope with a crying baby.  The call for resources comes from a number of infant deaths and serious case reviews where a baby has died or been seriously injured as a result of abusive head trauma.

The programme – ICON: Babies cry, you can cope – provides key messages and resources to let parents and carers know that infant crying is normal and there are methods which can be taken in order to cope.  Resources include leaflets, posters and video clips which can be shared with parents and carers at any contact had with midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers, and other professionals working with families.

A full communications brief is attached.

Please share this information widely.

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Sexual violence campaign

The Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a sexual violence campaign to highlight the issue and the support available through Lancashire Victim Services.

You can find full details around the campaign on the website at www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/events-campaigns/sexual-violence-campaign/

Please share the campaign messages through your channels.

See the campaign social media banners and posters attached. If you require posters with tear off strips you can order these by contacting Kathrin.slater@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk, please state how many posters you would like to order.

If you require any further information please contact Steff Hull, Victims & Vulnerable People Officer
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire on 01772 538414 / Steffani.hull@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk

See websites:www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk / www.lancashirevictimservices.org

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‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’ National Campaign

Lancashire County Council are supporting Public Health England and NHS England, with the launch of the first ever national cervical screening campaign targeted at women who are eligible for screening (those aged 25 – 64 years).

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme has made a significant impact on cervical cancer mortality since it was established in 1988, saving an estimated 5,000 lives a year.

Around 2,600 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and around

690 women die from the disease. It is estimated that if everyone attended screening regularly, 83% of cervical cancer cases could be prevented however, attendance is at a 20 year low, with one in four women in the UK not attending their cervical screening.

Key Messages

• Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England. Cervical screening can stop cancer before it starts by preventing potentially harmful cells developing.
• Don’t ignore your cervical screening invite. If you missed your last cervical screening, book an appointment with your GP practice now.
• Cervical screening (or the smear test) isn’t a test for cancer.
• Cervical screening checks the health of the cervix and can prevent potentially harmful cells from developing; screening can stop cancer before it starts.
• Your friendly nurse is there to put you at ease. For tips on how to make cervical screening more comfortable, visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening.
• Cervical screening lasts about five minutes, and you only have to go once every three or five years depending on your age. Its five minutes that could save your life.

 Advice on making the screening test more comfortable includes:

• Talk to your nurse – they are trained and experienced in how to make your test comfortable.
• Wear a loose skirt or dress, you may feel more covered during your appointment.
• Take a friend or family member with you if it will help you feel more comfortable.

See poster. For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening

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4-10 February 2019 was Children’s Mental Health Week

The Week was set up by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

This year’s theme is Healthy: Inside and Out – encouraging everyone to think about how they look after their bodies and minds.

What’s it all about?

When we think about healthy living, we tend to focus on looking after our bodies – our physical wellbeing – through food, being active and getting enough sleep.  However, in order to be healthy overall, it’s important that we look after our minds – our mental wellbeing – too. We know from our work in schools that children in every class have diagnosable mental health conditions and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement.

Our bodies and minds are actually very closely linked, so things that we do to improve our physical wellbeing can help our mental wellbeing as well. When we take steps to be Healthy: Inside and Out, it helps us to feel better in ourselves, focus on what we want to do and deal with difficult times.

 As parents and carers, you play a very important role in your child’s health. Here are a few simple ways you can encourage them to look after their body and mind:

 Chat with your child about what you do to look after your body and mind, from walking the dog to turning your phone off before bed. Sharing the steps you’ve taken to stay healthy can set a good example for them – but don’t be afraid to admit it if you’ve struggled! It’s important for children to keep trying, even when things are difficult.

Praise your child and other family members for what they do to look after their body and mind – even if it’s small. If your child sees healthy living in a positive light, they’re more likely to carry on doing these things throughout life.

 Remind them that there’s no such thing as a perfect body or mind – and no one is perfectly healthy! Your child might be tempted to compare themselves to other children, especially on social media, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s bodies and minds are different – and that’s something to celebrate.

Do something regularly with your child to be Healthy: Inside and Out. Family life can be very busy and stressful at times. Cooking a meal, sitting down for a family dinner, or going for a walk together can be a great way to stay connected and have fun.

Don’t forget, if you’re worried about your child, you can talk to your GP or someone at your child’s school.

You can also find a list of organisations that provide support and advice for parents on our website: www.place2be.org.uk/usefulcontacts

Visit www.ChildrensMentalHealthWeek.org.uk to find out how you can get involved and support Place2Be’s vital work.

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Shingles Campaign

The local NHS England Public Health Commissioning team are running a campaign for patients unimmunised against shingles. This is in line with national patient eligibility guidance and is aimed at addressing poor uptake in shingles vaccination rates across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Please read the Public Health England and NHS England campaign plan and see a shingles eligibility poster.

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Blood in your pee campaign

Public Health England has produced a number of posters about their ‘Blood in Your Pee’ campaign.

Male poster / female poster

Read more here.

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Be Clear on Cancer Breast Cancer in Women over 70 Campaign

Public Health England relaunched the Be Clear on Cancer Breast Cancer in Women over 70 campaign.  A poster and supporting information are now available.

The Breast Cancer in Women over 70 campaign has run across England twice before. As well as reminding older women that the risk of breast cancer increases with age, the campaign also seeks to increase awareness of breast cancer symptoms, particularly non-lump symptoms. The campaign urges women who notice any changes to their breasts to visit their GP as soon as possible. If breast cancer is diagnosed early, it is more likely to be treated successfully. More details on the campaign can be found in the briefing sheet.

Communications Toolkit – The communications toolkit containing an overview of the campaign and various tools, such as for social media and resources for disabled people and the BAME community, can now be downloaded from the CRC.
Order the following items :

• Campaign Leaflet
• Symptom card – also available to pre-order in translations of Bengali , Urdu, Gujurati and  Punjabi.
• Posters (A4 and A3)
• Pharmacy packs

Please note delivery of these materials will commence from mid-February.

If you require bulk ordering for any pharmacies, hospitals, GP surgeries, housing associations, care homes, libraries or any other relevant settings please email us on partnerships@phe.gov.uk

As part of the campaign, they are looking for stories of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer when they were 70 or older, after they noticed a change to their breasts and went to their GP.  This will help women to recognise the symptoms of breast cancer and encourage them to see their doctor promptly if they notice any changes to their breasts.

If you, or someone you know, was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 70 or over and would be willing to share their story then please email Beclearoncancer@freuds.com for more information.

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Keep Antibiotics Working Campaign Launch

Public Health England (PHE) has launched a national campaign, highlighting that taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your family at risk of more severe or longer illness. To help keep antibiotics working you are urged to always take your doctor or nurse’s advice on antibiotics.

Documents are now available on the PHE Campaign Resource Centre (CRC) to aid in supporting the campaign.

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Be Food Smart

The Change 4 Life campaign was  created by Public Health England highlights the surprising amount of sugar, saturated fat and salt found in everyday food and drink has been launched to encourage parents to ‘Be Food Smart’.

Without realising it, we are all eating too much sugar, saturated fat and salt. The Change4Life ‘Be Food Smart’ campaign brings food labels to life, enabling families to make healthier food and drink choices.

Get tips, suggestions or activities or download the free Be Food Smart app: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/be-food-smart

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Spot the Signs of Sepsis

A nationwide sepsis awareness campaign has been launched to help parents and carers of young children recognise the symptoms of sepsis. The campaign includes a film featuring mother and campaigner Melissa Mead, who lost her baby son William to sepsis in December 2014.

The campaign urges parents to call 999 or take their child to A&E if they display any of the following signs:

• looks mottled, bluish or pale
• is very lethargic or difficult to wake
• feels abnormally cold to touch
• is breathing very fast
• has a rash that does not fade when you press it
• has a fit or convulsion

Read more

For further information on sepsis, visit www.nhs.uk/sepsis or www.sepsistrust.org

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Feeling Unwell? – Examine Your Options

Across the area there are a range of health services to support people if they feel unwell or have any health concerns. There are services which you may be unfamiliar with, but could be more appropriate and convenient for you depending on your specific issue.

Read more.

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Staying well is not always easy – campaign highlights vital needs of older carers

Carers Trust have launched an awareness raising campaign called ‘Speak up for older carers. See Department of Health blog.

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Campaign to End Loneliness

The missing million: a practical guide to identifying and talking about loneliness

There are an estimated 1,100,000 people who are 65 and over who are chronically lonely and difficult to reach. This guide aims to support commissioners, service providers, front line staff and volunteers in identifying people who experience, or are at risk of experiencing, loneliness. It also provides recommendations on how best to engage in a dialogue about loneliness, and offers examples of effective approaches to supporting older people.

Read the Report Read the Campaign publications.

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Better Pregnancy Outcomes

Department of Health launched the “Our Chance” campaign in partnership with Sands and Best Beginnings. Our Chance aims to raise awareness of issues that can lead to stillbirth and highlight lifestyle changes women can take to improve their likelihood of having better pregnancy outcomes. Find out what support is available at ourchance.org.uk.

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National Hate Crime Awareness 

Attached is an information pack about the Commissioner’s #SayNoToHate campaign.

There is also an online pledge that people can sign at www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/saynotohate

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Eye Health 

Health care professionals promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all and to create awareness of some lifestyle changes that could make a big difference to individual’s vision and eye health.

There is a lot of useful downloads and information on the website: www.visionmatters.org.uk

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Public Health England encourages parents to vaccinate against measles, mumps and rubella

PHE is calling for all parents to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). For more information, read the PHE press release

Free suicide prevention training

Lancashire Mind, in partnership with Papyrus, won the suicide prevention training contract bid for the Lancashire & South Cumbria ICS.

Please see the list of training courses.

Should you have any training requests, please email these to Lancashire Mind with the following:

• course title
• numbers to be trained
• preferred date(s)
• venue (ideally free of charge to ensure funds can be allocated towards further training and not venue hire)

Please use the email subject heading ‘ICS SP training request’ and send to: admin@lancashiremind.co.uk

The training being provided aims to address the high suicide rates within our area, and to tackle the harmful stigma surrounding suicide.

Start the conversation

There’s no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings. You are not alone. Please start the conversation. If you would like further information about supporting someone you are worried about, or if you have bereaved by suicide please visit: https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/suicide

If you have any questions, please contact Emily McCurrie – 0113 825 3343 / 07860 177 966 / emily.mccurrie1@nhs.net

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Association of Mental Health Providers hosts free webinars for VCSE sector

With support from the VCSE Health & Wellbeing Alliance, the Association of Mental Health Providers (AMHP) is hosting a series of free webinars for VCSE organisations and policy leads. The webinars are theme-specific including Men’s Health, Homelessness and Money and all focus on the prevention of mental health problems. Each webinar is developed in conjunction with a Health & Wellbeing Alliance partner, offering specialist expertise. You can find a full list of the webinars here.

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Free mental health training and resources for small charities

Mind has launched a free e-learning programme designed specifically for small organisations. Mental Health for Small Workplaces is made of three modules: Building your awareness, Looking after yourself and Supporting each other. You can find a link to the eLearning and a selection of supporting resources here.

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Free courses to improve health and wellbeing in Central Lancashire

Free courses will be offered to people over 18 in West Lancashire to help them keep well, stay well and live well later this year run by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Lancashire Recovery College. Courses are designed to support your wellbeing with topics including traditional Lancashire cookery, understanding stress, techniques to help you relax and dealing with gambling.  They are looking for partners to get involved in the work that is being progressed to support recovery. If you would like to get involved, please contact Suzie Smith and Hasan Sidat from the Recovery Team – recovery.college@lancashirecare.nhs.uk or 01772 695365.

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Brook subsidised professional training

They offer in house training programmes for professionals which can be delivered in full day, half day or a series of twilight sessions as well as briefing and shorter sessions at conferences. See website here along with the attached flyer (a half day in house training programme is £525 and a full day £850 for up to 15 participants).

Please contact Simone Taylor – simone.taylor@brook.org.uk – should you have any questions.

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Understanding and responding to gambling-related harm: A brief guide for professionals (free e-learning: 2 hours)

Royal Society for Public Health with GambleAware. A resource with useful guidance for those providing brief interventions to address risks and harms related to problematic gambling. It contains an optional topic for organisational leaders wishing to set up and implement the processes necessary to support workers to provide intervention.

The programme covers:

• What is a brief intervention?
• How to provide a brief intervention
• Important considerations and responding to affected others
• Requirements at an organisational level (optional topic)
• Resources to aid brief intervention

Go to link: https://www.rsph.org.uk/our-services/e-learning/courses/understanding-and-responding-to-gambling-related-harm.html

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Red Cross first aid courses

The Red Cross offers first aid courses aimed at groups who support people more likely to need first aid in specific areas that are facing higher risks in particular crises, including adults over 65 whose health may put them more at risk of sudden illness of injury, for example, through trips and falls.

For more information please contact Rachel Simm – rsimm@redcross.org.uk

Read more.

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Autism Champions Project

Autism Together started in 1968 and its purpose has always been to support people with autism and those, particularly families, who are affected by it. They also want society to welcome and support those people to have the same opportunities as anyone else.  For many people with autism, the outside world can be a very frightening place – and they want to change that.

They, therefore, want to work with organisations to make society autism-friendly and so have developed Autism Champion training for organisations.  If you would be interested in this training, please contact Vicky Attwood at the CVS.  There is a cost involved but the more people who do the training, the cheaper the cost per head.

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Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends Programme

Alzheimer’s Society Dementia friends programme is their biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.  Stigma and lack of understanding cause many people with the condition to experience loneliness and social exclusion, so dementia friends hopes to tackle this by creating more communities and businesses that are dementia friendly.  If you would like training delivered at your organisation, or would like to find out more, please contact Joe Sherville – ellie.sherville@tiscali.co.uk

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CVS Training Programme

The 2018-19 CVS Training Programme has now been published.  To book please contact Helen Jones on 01695 733737 or email helenj@wlcvs.org

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Lancashire Mind Training Courses

Lancashire Mind can deliver in-house flexible training options to your workforce, from conferences to small groups and open access. All proceeds from their training stay in Lancashire to support the mental health and wellbeing of people across the county. Click here for their brochure.

For more information on how Lancashire Mind can help you support your staff email admin@lancashiremind.org.uk

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West Lancashire GPs urge residents to learn how to live well with Type 2 diabetes

GPs in West Lancashire are urging all residents living with Type 2 diabetes to learn how to live well with the condition.  Southport and Ormskirk NHS Hospital Trust offer training  aimed at all residents/carers living with Type 2 diabetes.  ‘Diabetes and You’, which is aimed at people diagnosed within the last 12 months, or people who have not previously attended the course and ‘Diabetes and More’, which is an annual refresher course. The courses offer advice on how best to live with the condition, tips and advice on lifestyle choices, how to manage blood sugar levels, understanding the benefits of exercise and a balanced diet, and they will also provide the opportunity to meet new people living with the same condition.

West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) want to hear the views of residents that have Type 2 diabetes in relation to patient education.  They want to know if the courses currently on offer are delivered in the way you wish to receive information and if they are making effective use of technology etc. The answers provided will help them to re-structure how information and the education is given and received in the future. The survey can be accessed here: http://po.st/WLCCG-Diabetes or you can request a paper copy by contacting Marco Giannini (communication and engagement manager).

For more information on these courses, visit the West Lancashire CCG website www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk, as well as following their Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Crisp (Carers information and support programme) course

A free, four week course aimed at informal carers who care for a person with dementia. Sessions are once a week and last for two hours. They cover a range of topics including, what is dementia, information about benefits, lasting power of attorney, activity ideas, services and support. When a person is diagnosed with dementia, they and those who care for them don’t become an expert on this subject overnight so, the crisp course gives carers the information they need to help them deal with this condition. It’s also an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation. For more click here .

For more information, please call 01704 539967.

Health Network Event

The next Health Network Event will be held on Tuesday 8 October 2019 at Parbold Village Hall.  Sarah Clubb from The Big Lottery will speaking about funding opportunities for voluntary and community organisations.  There will also be presentations about the new health structures in West Lancs and how they will affect the voluntary sector as well as updates from local groups.  In addition, Lancashire County Council’s Public Health will be discussing what is meant by ‘behaviour change‘.   Places must be booked – please complete a booking form and return to Vicky Attwood.  If you have any questions about the event please contact Vicky.

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Breathe Easy Support Group – Skelmersdale

22 October 2019 from 12-1pm at PULSE in the Concourse.  See poster.

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Re-imagining Health & Wellbeing Event

The team behind Lancaster University’s new Health Innovation Campus invite you to re-imagine health and wellbeing solutions of the future. Explore how you get innovative ideas off the ground and how you bring your team along with you.

This event is designed to help small business, charities, health providers, and social enterprise to explore new opportunities. You will learn how a local charity has developed a business model fit for the future. You will hear how business leaders have accessed new markets and developed products and services that enable people to stay in work or at home for longer. And you will find out what resources are available locally to help your organisation to go from strength to strength.

The event is being held on Tuesday 22 October 2019 from 8:30 – 12pm at Brockholes Conference Centre, Brockholes, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0AG

To book a place go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/re-imagining-health-wellbeing-event-tickets-67195005069

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Growing Strong project

Health walks every week using silent disco technology. Contact Paula on 01695 550772 / paula@sewing-rooms.co.uk .

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West Lancashire Stroke Group

Meet the last Tuesday of every month from 10.00 am – 12.00 noon in the Community Lounge, Chapel Court, Chapel Mews, Ormskirk, L39 4XB.

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Ormskirk Pulsators

Weekly Exercise Class & Social Activities for those recovering and living with heart conditions

Meet every Monday & Friday between 4.45pm – 5.45pm, Ormskirk CofE Primary School, Greetby Hill, Ormskirk, L39 2DP. For further information please contact Sylvia – 01695 726231.

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Breathe Easy – Skelmersdale – Support Group 

Open to people with any form of lung disease, their carers, friends and families.

Meetings are held on the 4^th Tuesday of the month between 12pm – 1pm, @ Skelmersdale Pulse, Unit 73, Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LN.

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One West Lancs / Health Network Event presentations 2018

Health Network Event report

West Lancashire Borough Council Health & Wellbeing Strategy– Cllr Kevin Wright / Caroline Robinson, WLBC

Building for the Future – Jackie Moran, West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group

Co-production with the VCFSE– Louise Giles, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust

Supporting the development of a commissioning pipeline – Janice Greenhill, Virgin Care

CCG workshops –  Annex A

LCFT workshops – Annex B

Virgin Care workshops – Annex C

Tackling the causes of preventable ill health: your views

NHS England is seeking your views on proposals to tackle the causes of preventable ill health in England. In launching the consultation NHS England has said: “We know that our health is shaped by the environment in which we live, the choices we make, and the services we receive. We need to take action on each of these”. The consultation is open now and closes at 11:59pm on 14 October 2019. You can access it here.

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Review into personalised NHS Health Checks

NHS Health Checks are currently offered to everyone aged between 40 and 74 to spot the early signs of major conditions that cause early death, including stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, the checks pay little attention to people’s individual risks or needs.

The Department of Health review has announced a review which will explore how to improve the system, with a focus on offering personalised support.

See link: https://consultations.dh.gov.uk/prevention/a09d31b8/consultation/subpage.2019-06-11.1665624159/

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Consultation outcome: Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision

The government’s response to the consultation on transforming children and young people’s mental health provision.

See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision-a-green-paper

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Have you used online healthcare services?

The Care Quality Commission is researching people’s experiences of online primary care services. These include online GPs, online prescription services and apps.

The research will help them to develop a rating scheme for online primary care services. It will also help them to provide information about what to expect from these online services.

Their independent researcher, Traverse, will interview 12 people over the phone. If you’re selected, they’ll also send you a £35 shopping voucher to thank you for taking part.

If you want to take part, please contact perla.rembiszewski@traverse.ltd to express an interest.

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NHS Seeks Views of Hearing Aid users

The views and experiences of NHS hearing aid users with age related hearing loss, over 50 years of age, are being sought to help understand what NHS hearing aid services are like locally and to help improve them.

People over 50 with age related hearing loss, can currently chose to obtain an NHS hearing aid, following a referral from their GP from their local NHS Trust or from high street retail providers.

Services include:

• Audiology (hearing tests and assessments)
• Provision and fitting of hearing aids,
• Patient education, including self-care advice and information,
• Follow up appointments and after care,

People using NHS hearing aids, over the age of 50 or relatives or carers can complete the questionnaire online: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NHS_hearing_aids or can contact 01282 644 627 to obtain help to complete the survey.

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Are we listening? Our review of children and young people’s mental health services

Are we listening? describes the findings of the CQC’s independent review of the system of services that support children and young people’s mental health.

The report finds that too many children and young people reach ‘crisis point’ before accessing mental health services.

Government commitments of funding and community intervention are welcome and signal that this is rightly being treated as a priority.

However, the pace of delivery needs to accelerate. The way that Government departments work together needs to improve. National and local bodies need to make sure that they put the mental health needs and wellbeing of children and young people at the heart of their decision making.

Read the report

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Help to Improve the Health of Men and Boys

Transforming the health of men and boys is a huge challenge, but the voluntary sector can help make this happen. Men’s Health Forum wants to find out more about what other organisations are doing to improve men and boys’ health – to inform government and the NHS of the priorities of the sector – and, for those organisations that want it, spread the word about their activities. Whether you are from an organisation that supports or represents men and boys, or just interested in how you or your organisation can do more to support men, please take the time to fill in this survey.

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Care for Older People Campaign

Research shows that older people are less likely to complain about services and they’re likely to be less aware of the different ways they can share their views.

The CQC has launched a campaign to encourage people aged 60 or over to share their experiences of care. See website: http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/care-older-people

Follow @CareQualityComm for updates.

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Call for case studies of disabled people with high support needs

The Disability Partnership is carrying out research about employment for disabled people with high support needs. To do this, they are interviewing disabled people with high support needs about their experiences of applying for work and accessing support while in work. If you or anyone you know would be interested in taking part or want more information, please contact Scope’s Researcher Andy McKeown on 0207 619 7245 or at andy.mckeown@scope.org.uk

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Healthwatch Lancashire – Dentistry Questionnaire

Healthwatch Lancashire want to help improve dentistry for people who have a learning disability, this includes people who need to use the Specialist Dentistry Services.

Please complete the questionnaire:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GROUPSZN7936M

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Care Act for carers: One year on

Carers Trust looked at whether the Care Act was working for carers, one year on.  See website: https://www.carers.org/careactcarers

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National LGB&T Partnership: ‘I Statements’

The National LGB&T Partnership is gathering information about what LGBT people want from health and care services. They are compiling a document that will be used to influence policy makers, and that can be referred to by health and social care providers to help them to improve their services. The overall aim is to inform policy makers and health care staff about the needs and wants of LGBT people. See website: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2451646/National-LGB-T-Partnership-I-Statements

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Cheshire & Merseyside Strategic Clinical Network – People’s Voice Virtual Network

are very keen to engage with communities who experience poorer health outcomes and whose voices we can find harder to hear.  More information contact Gloria Payne, Quality Improvement Lead – Patient & Public Involvement Gloria.payne@nhs.net or visit www.cmscnsenate.nhs.uk for more details. You can also register on-line at http://www.cmscnsenate.nhs.uk/peoples-voice/how-get-involved/

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Feedback from CCG Listening Events

Click the link to read the feedback from the recent events – www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/You-said-we-did-listening-events-report.pdf

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Join the NHS Citizen gather to have your say on the NHS

If you want to have your say on how health services should be run in England, you can join the NHS Citizen Gather – an online forum where you can raise issues and ideas about how the NHS in England can improve.

Visit the NHS Citizen website to find out more about the ways that you can have your say and visit Gather to join the discussion.

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Find health and social care services and share your experience

You can find Lancashire health and social care services and leave feedback using the Healthwatch Lancashire website – Share an experience today here

Active West Lancs small grants

Funding can be applied for a variety of activities such as running free taster sessions, discounting subsequent membership fees for disadvantaged individuals or simply raising the profile of the activities that your organisation runs by improved marketing and publicity campaigns.  All the activity will be aimed at getting more people active.

Grants of up to £250 are available.  For more information, go to:  http://activewestlancs.org/grants/

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Eric Wright Small Grant Pot 2019

the Eric Wright Small Grants fund is running again in 2019/20 for grants of up to £500. There are no deadlines.  Please read the guidelines carefully before completing the application form .

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Alcohol Research UK Network Development Grants

Alcohol Research UK is offering grants of up £3,000 towards the organisation of conferences or events that support the establishment of research networks seeking to develop new themes in alcohol research. The network or conference must be relevant to, or further the aims of, Alcohol Research UK’s programme of work. There is no deadline for Network Development awards, however, applications should be made at the planning stage of the event or network and at least two months prior to the date of the event or meeting. Institutions are eligible for one grant per financial year.  See website: http://alcoholresearchuk.org/grants/

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Funding Advice Available

If you are a voluntary or community organisation based in West Lancs then help is at hand through the CVS.  We can help with searching for funding opportunities, completing fuinding bids and offering advice.  Contact Catherine Cosslett on 01695 733737 or email enquiries@wlcvs.org.

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Apprenticeship Learning funding

Between £1000 and £2000 per learner is available for Third Sector Organisations whose services are directly linked to Health Care and Wellbeing and are providing those services within the North West.

This funding is claimed direct by the employer and aims to support employers upskill their staff through Apprenticeship Frameworks. Click here for more or contact Gill Cunnah –Gill.Cunnah@skillsforhealth.org.uk

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Local Member Grants

Each County Councillor has a budget of  £3,000 per year under the Local Member Grants scheme.  They can award funding to groups that benefit residents from within their electoral division. Click here to find out more.

NHS England podcast: Teaming up with the voluntary sector to transform care

Partnership working between the voluntary sector, local government and the NHS is crucial to improving care for people and communities. But how can health and care systems make sure they involve local charities and social enterprises in the most effective way?

This new NHS England podcast explores the answer, featuring a trio of perspectives and a range of examples of how joined-up working is making a difference to patients, communities and staff. With voluntary sector organisations often having an impact well beyond what statutory services alone can achieve, this podcast provides useful insights into how to maximise local assets to transform care. Listen to the podcast here.

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Social prescribing – new resources available

The Social Prescribing Network has published a new document – Making sense of social prescribing – covering various aspects including:

• what is social prescribing;
• why do social prescribing;
• what do different models look like;
• what makes a good link worker;
• what makes a good referral;
• governance and risk management;
• evaluation

You can find Making sense of social prescribing here.

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New NHS app will make it quicker and easier to access health services

The free app allows patients to make GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and access their GP record safely and securely.

See website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-nhs-app-will-make-it-quicker-and-easier-to-access-health-services

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The VCSE Inclusion Health Audit Tool

The Health & Wellbeing Alliance has launched the VCSE Inclusion Health Audit Tool. This online tool will help your organisation to audit its engagement with Inclusion Health groups. These are the groups identified as experiencing the worst health inequalities in the UK.

The tool consists of five sections and takes around 15 minutes to complete. Once you have completed the audit tool, you will be provided with a unique and tailored guide which will help your organisation to embed action on tackling health inequalities into its everyday activities. Access the tool here.

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Stroke Information Guide

Organisations across Lancashire and South Cumbria have worked together to create an easy to understand Stroke Information Guide to provide access to good quality, appropriate information for professionals, stroke patients, their families and carers and anyone affected by stroke. The information within the guide aims to be useful to aid recovery and prevent an initial or further stroke. The guide was created with the involvement of health and care professionals, local people, stroke survivors and their carers and relatives. The toolkit is here .

The Act F.A.S.T campaign toolkit (including social media content) is now live and can be accessed here: https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/9/resources/3705

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Looking after someone – a guide

Produced by Carers UK, ‘Looking after someone’ is a guide for anyone caring for family or friends. This resource outlines your rights as a carer and gives an overview of the practical and financial support available.

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Communities and health

The role of communities in improving health is receiving increasing, and long overdue, attention in health policy and practice. Stronger recognition of the role communities can play and greater involvement are needed if there is to be a successful move to population health systems. As part of this shift in focus, sustainability and transformation partnerships and integrated care systems need to take the role communities can play in improving and sustaining good health seriously. This ‘explainer’, created by the Kings Fund is a good starting point for those wishing to understand more. The Kings Fund also provides a reading list for those who want to explore this topic further, which you can find here.

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Find Out More About Health Apps

Health apps can present a fantastic opportunity to provide valuable health information which can help not only improve the quality of healthcare, but also help people to live healthier lives. The market is awash with apps though, and it is difficult to see whether what is being downloaded will actually improve our health or if our personal data will be stored safely.

West Lancashire CCG have partnered up with the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications (ORCHA).  ORCHA carry out independent and impartial reviews of health and care related apps and have developed a website for West Lancs. Any apps shown on this site have undergone a rigorous review process, thus enabling users a tool to help choose the best app for them.

Visit westlancs.orcha.co.uk to learn more.

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Measuring wellbeing – a new guide

Do you want to better understand if and how your charity affects the wellbeing of those you support? If so, take a look at this new guide from What Works Wellbeing, which has been designed specifically to help small and medium-sized charities evaluate their impact on wellbeing. It contains useful step by step information including what to measure and the type of questions to ask.

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Macmillan Move More Programme for West Lancashire residents

The Move More programme is continuing to support anyone who have had a diagnosis of cancer in the past or are living with cancer now to get more active.

The service is provided by a highly specialist multidisciplinary team that fully understands cancer and the effects on the person and provides an in depth assessment of their needs and abilities. They can advise on what physical activities are available, refer to local exercise schemes, and also have cancer specific exercise programmes to give people confidence.

The team has many contacts with other organisations ensuring there are lots of different opportunities to exercise that are not in a gym environment including gardening, walking groups amongst many others.

Although based in Ormskirk hospital, they visit all areas of West Lancashire.

Benefits of increasing physical activity include reducing recurrence of cancer, reducing fatigue, increasing mood and well-being as well as many other health benefits.

To find out more contact them on 01695 656268, email soh-tr.odgh-physio@nhs.net and ask for Move More or call in to the physiotherapy department at Ormskirk hospital Mondays or Fridays (excluding bank holidays) and ask for the Move More Team.

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Health Resource Kit

A short selection of sources that focus on mental wellbeing, eating well and being physically active which can be used for general self-care. Read more.

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Public Health England (PHE) Health profile for England

This report draws on population health data to give an overall picture of the health of England. It finds that life expectancy has now reached 79.5 years for men and 83.1 years for women but that much of this extra time is spent in poor health. A major theme of the report is health inequalities as the data shows that in the wealthiest areas, people enjoy nearly 20 more years in good health than those in the poorest areas.

Read the Report or see the Press release.

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Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programme

To mark Diabetes Week, NHS England has produced a short animation, following a fictional character’s journey on discovering he was at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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Lancashire Insight 

The Lancashire Insight website contains valuable statistics and intelligence about Lancashire.  Read the latest newsletter  which you can subscribe to for free.

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Keeping Ourselves Well

The One You Campaign has a page with information about Diabetes as well as a wealth of other conditions.  See website: ttps://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/diabetes#iSaEBkUQqUV6AGPk.97

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Cancer, Older People and Advocacy

Recruit older people affected by cancer then train and support them to advocate for their peers. See website for more:

http://opaal.org.uk/app/uploads/2017/02/Time-our-gift-to-you.pdf

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My Cancer Treatment

A directory of NHS cancer services across England. Search by postcode, hospital or cancer type to locate and compare services, both locally and nationally.

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The Mental Health of Children and Young People in England

The purpose of this report is to:

• describe the importance of mental health in CYP
• describe the case for investing in mental health
• provide a descriptive analysis of mental health in CYP in England
• summarise the evidence of what works to improve mental health in CYP in order to inform local transformation of services.

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What is social prescribing?

https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/topics/primary-and-community-care/social-prescribing

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Winter Warmth Guide

West Lancs CVS has developed a Keep Warm in Winter resource pack full of useful hints and tips, includes some recipes to keep warm in the cold winter months.

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Disability Rights UK Care Act guide

This guide has been written for and from the perspective of disabled people. It is intended to be used by disabled people and people with long-term health conditions who have support needs. The guide does not cover everything that is in the Act but concentrates on those parts of the legislation that are most relevant to people of working age. Links to other information are provided at the end of this guide.

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Living With Dementia Guide

DEEP, the UK Network of Dementia Voices, have launched a guide Our Rights, Our Dementia. It is based on and talks directly to people with dementia. The guide brings together, in one place, the facts about some of the key rights relating to dementia in the UK – including hands-on routes to claiming those rights.

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Local Health Information

The Lancashire Insight website brought together the contents of the former Lancashire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (health and wellbeing) website and the former Lancashire Profile website (economic, social and MADE content) into one place. The web links contained within the headline summaries below take you to the actual web pages on the Lancashire Insight website, where you can find further information and access to the full report and data for each topic http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/

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Rare Revolution – the Free Rare Conditions Digital Magazine

The first of its kind, this quarterly digital magazine gives a voice to the 3.5 million people in the UK that are living with a rare condition. In addition it will give a platform to the patient groups and charities that support over 7,000 different rare conditions.

Contributions include those from rare disease advocates and patients that will review some of the brilliant and innovative rare patient, educational and professional resources that exist.  See website: http://www.rarerevolutionmagazine.com/

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Improving Early Years Services from Pregnancy to Age 5

The hub developed by the Child and Maternal Health Observatory provides easy access to key resources, including government policy, guidelines and guidance, reports, data, evidence summaries and examples of what works in practice. You can search or browse resources by topics such as healthy pregnancy; good health and development; healthy weight; speech, language and communication; relationships and resilience; and safe from harm.

The knowledge hub is freely available at www.chimat.org.uk/beststart

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NHS England – Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard is now in place. Read what this means here: http://ow.ly/gw8C303uGUx 

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Be Clear on Cancer Respiratory Campaign Resources

There are some good resources for the Be Clear on Cancer respiratory campaign on the Campaign Resource Centre

The Be Clear on Cancer Respiratory Symptoms Toolkit is now available; this contains information regarding the campaign rationale, overview, stats and facts, key messages, BAME and disabled activity, PR, roadshows, case studies, social media, and campaign material.

The Campaign Briefing Sheet is available, the following artwork suites are also available:

• Press advertisements in bothLandscape and Portrait
• Pharmacy bag artwork for professional printing
• Six Sheet Advertisementsfor partners to use in outdoor spaces

Don’t forget…
The Pharmacy and GP kits, posters and other resources are also available to order. If you are from a partner organisation and require bespoke artwork, you can request resizing of any artwork and/or the addition of your logo.

Visit the Campaign Resource Centre for more information including:

• An ‘Overview‘ of the campaign
• Access to all ‘Resources‘
• Details on ‘Getting Involved‘ with the campaign
• ‘Insight‘ on the campaign
• ‘Evaluation‘ for the campaign

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Local Alcohol data

See website for West Lancs figures: http://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/local-alcohol-profiles/data#page/0/gid/1938132984/pat/6/par/E12000002/ati/101/are/E07000127

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Useful Resources from Public Health England

see link: Health matters – Box

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Health Matters: Giving every child the best start in life

The fifth edition of PHE’s Health Matters, a resource for public health professionals, which brings together important facts, figures and evidence of effective interventions to tackle major public health problems, focuses on giving every child the best start in life and specifically the crucial period from pregnancy to the age of two.

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Change4Life

See website for lots of resources: http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/change-for-life.aspx

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Public Health England. A practical guide to healthy caring

See link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/nhs-practcl-guid-caring.pdf

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Diabetes Campaign

Posters devised by WHO  for use around the world during this year’s World Health Day.  See link.

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What is a healthy diet?

The ‘Eatwell plate’ has been given a makeover – click here.

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Alternative Guide to Mental Health Care in England

From the Kings Fund.  See website: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/audio-video/alternative-guide-mental-health-care-england

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socialcareinfo

Developed by the advice and technology charity Lasa, socialcareinfo is a new web tool designed to help people find details of the social care support available to them locally; national information about their rights and entitlements; and details of local independent advice organisations.

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Alzheimer’s Research UK presents #sharetheorange – share with others

Online video – campaign produced by Aardman Animations, featuring actor Christopher Eccleston, whose father suffered from dementia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9MvEZskR6o

The background explanation is at: http://www.aardman.com/ais-london-aardman-create-campaign-for-alzheimers-research-uk/

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Poor beginnings: health inequalities among young children across England

This report is based on official data published by Public Health England and it looks at four key measures of young children’s health and wellbeing: obesity, tooth decay, accidental injury and school readiness. It pictures the health of children under five years old living in England and shows how growing up in different areas of the country can have an impact on the likelihood of experiencing a poor health outcome before starting school.

See website: http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/1228318/ncb_poor_beginnings_report_final_for_web.pdf

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OPAAL’s Older People’s Cancer Voices film project

The project, funded by Department of Health, supports older people affected by cancer to engage with health and care professionals to raise awareness of the issues that are important to them, and to disseminate messages about the benefits of advocacy support.  This project is about amplifying the voices of older people affected by cancer so that health and care practitioners and commissioners see the value of advocacy.

See the four films on the website: http://www.opaal3.cswebsites.org/default.aspx?page=26992

For more information please contact Ang Broadbridge, OPAAL UK, Older People’s Advocacy Alliance, 07854 880 675 / angela@opaal.org.uk  website: www.opaal.org.uk

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Real People of Lancashire Report

The “Real People of Lancashire” research campaign encouraged the residents of Lancashire to have their say on what matters to them when it comes to health and social care by taking part in an interactive activity.

Please click here to download this report

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Carers Rights Guides

Please see website: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-resources/carers-rights-guide

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“Identifying and responding to suicide clusters”

A resource to assist local organisations prevent linked suicides in their areas, often referred to as ‘suicide clusters’, has been produced. More information: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-resource-to-prevent-linked-suicides-in-local-areas

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Connect with personal health budget holders at peoplehub

Peoplehub is the national user-led network for personal health budget holders, bringing people together to share experiences and help shape national policy. You can find out more about them on the peoplehub website or by joining their Facebook group. Hear more about the important contribution peoplehub makes in this short film.

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The importance of measuring and acting to improve the mental well-being of children and young people

Measuring mental well-being in children and young people shows that raising levels of mental well-being influences a child’s ability to learn, their resilience to risky behaviours and their physical and mental health in adulthood. PHE’s resource is designed to help local organisations decide how to best gauge the mental well-being of children and young people in their areas. More information: http://www.yhpho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=213417

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Posters for young people

The NHS Youth Forum has launched a series of posters for young people. From discussions with young people it was clear that they were confused about their rights when receiving health services. The series of posters focus on young people’s right to consent, their right to complain and their right to comment and give feedback on the services that they receive. The posters come with an overarching leaflet that gives more information about each topic. The leaflet is also available in audio and easy read versions.

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Men need humour and camaraderie to lose weight

A How to guide by the Men’s Health Forum charity, and supported by Public Health England, is the first to show how to adapt and run weight-loss programmes that are tailored specifically for men.

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Video of West Lancashire’s Health Profile

This video gives some key facts and figures about the health of the population in West Lancs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=476bf3GdK9E

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Health and Safety Made Simple

If you think health and safety has to be complicated – it doesn’t. This site will make it easier for you to comply with the law and manage health and safety in your business.

Check out the website HERE

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Evidencing Your Value

Everyone talks about evidencing your value but how? Here are some resources and tools which may help

1. The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement – the Return on investment Calculator
2. Department of Health – Measuring Social Value: How 5 social enterprises did it
3. The Cabinet Office, Office of the Third Sector – Social Return on Investment – an introduction
4. Charities Evaluation Service – Outcome and Outcome Indicator Banks

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JSNA Intelligence for Healthy Lancashire

Do you need information and data to evidence the need for your project? Or evidence your impact? Do you need information/data about a particular topic or area in Lancashire? The Lancashire County Council Intelligence for Healthy Lancashire, Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is a hugely valuable resource with information, data and toolkits which can inform your organisation’s strategic and operational development and provide evidence of need for, or evidence of impact projects/activities.

CLICK HERE to go to the website

Information is available in the following topic areas:

• Children and young people
• Community safety
• Economic participation
• Education and lifelong learning
• Environment
• Health
• Housing and households
• Lifestyle
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Population
• Poverty
• Social capital
• Social support
• Transport

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FIND Database

The FIND database includes information about disabled children up to 18 years old in Lancashire.

Families are invited to submit details about their disabled child to the database, which is used to develop an overview of the needs of disabled children across the county to assist with planning services. Click here to find out more.

CVS AGM 27 February 2018

Read the presentations:

Eric Wright Trust – launched 1 April 2018

The Halsall Foundation

BBC Children in Need

Heritage Lottery Fund

The Key Fund

John Moores Foundation

Lloyds Bank Foundation

Whitemoss Community Fund

West Lancashire CCG Update

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CCG AGM / CVS Health Network 26 September 2017

Read the report here.

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CVS AGM / Health Network 25 April 2017

Read the report here.  Please see the presentations from the day below:

Greg Mitten, West Lancs CVS

Gareth Dowling, West Lancashire Dementia Action Alliance+

Paul Kingan, West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group

Dianne Gardner, Public Health, Lancashire County Council

Caroline Flynn, Macmillan Information & Support Centre

Rebecca Mason, Heritage Lottery Fund

and see below some photos from the day:

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CCG AGM /  Health Network 27 September 2016

Click the link to read the Question and Answers transcript.

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One West Lancs Showcase and Forum 6 July 2016

Please click here to read the report from the event.  To read the presentations please click the links below:

The Health Case for Being Physically and Socially Active – Sandra Bonner

Ensuring Community Connection through Digital Inclusion – Pamela Holstein

Crowdfunding – Anne Strachan

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Health Network Event 26 April 2016

The report is available here.   Click on the links below to read the presentations:

Safer Sleeping

Birchwood Centre

Active West Lancs

Young Addaction

CCG Update

Digital Health

Rally Round

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West Lancs CCG Community Health Services Procurement

Please click here to link to West Lancs CCG’s website and click here to go to Contracts Finder.

April 2016 – please click here to read the latest update.

30-9-15 Bidder event – please click here to see the CCG’s presentation

23-11-15 Learning Session – please click the links to see the presentations:

• WL CCG Presentation
• John Diamond’s Presentation
• Sian Jay’s presentation

This is the document that will help organisations ‘sell themselves’ to providers – VCFS organisation summary form

8-12-15 CVS AGM follow up presentation – click here for the presentation

9-12-15 CCG stakeholder event – click here for the presentation

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Health Network Event / CCG AGM

The report from this Health Network Event held on 22 September 2015 is available to read – HNE Report 22-9-15.  There were presentations by Greg Mitten, Mike Wedgeworth, Paul Kingan and Mike McGuire.  Please click here to read the presentations in full.

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One West Lancs Showcase 2015 / Health Network Event

The report from this event held on 13 May 2015 is now available to read – please click here and presentations are available to read on the One West Lancs website shortly – www.onewestlancs.org/forum.html

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Report from the Health Network Event 18 Feb 2015

Please click here to read the report from the Health Network Event held on 18 February 2015 at Edge Hill University.

There were several presentations at the event – please click the names below to read them in full:

John Diamond       Warren Escadale

If you would like a copy of Dr Karen Groves and Lucinda McArthur’s presentations, please contact Vicky Attwood This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as these are too big to be uploaded onto the website.  Dr Groves also showed a video as part of her presentation – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXXcUUBHuZE .

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