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18 The Shuttle DECEMBER2012HealthMattersBy Dr Chris ClaytonBlackburn with Darwen ClinicalCommissioning Group (CCG) wasvisited by senior NHS and lay representativesto look at our plans,progress and credentials to makesure we are moving in the right directionto become a stand-aloneorganisation.This is called authorisation processand we have to complete this sowe can show we can make decisionsabout health services safely, manageour money responsibly and are ableto improve quality, reduce inequalityand make the area a healthier placewithin the budget we have. The panelreally focused on gathering evidenceabout what we have done so far asa CCG and as you would expect, wehad plenty of this to show them. Feedbackfrom the panel on the day wasextremely positive and we shall hearback formally in January next year.As we prepare to take over the“buying” of your healthcare in April2013, we are running in “shadow”form and as such, we have been developingour organisation; part of thishas been the appointment of staff intothe the CCG and also the finding ofour new base within Blackburn withDarwen which we shall move into inthe new year. Furthermore, we haveheld our first few public board meetingswhere we encourage residents tocome and ask questions about whatwe are doing.After Christmas, things will bemoving fast and you will start to seesome of the improvements we havemade. One example is the appointmentof Dr Neil Smith into the role ofCancer Clinical Lead for the whole ofEast Lancashire, including Blackburnwith Darwen. Many of you will knowDr Smith as one of our local and highlyvalued GPs and his role will be to reallydrive improvements in cancer carefor people of the borough. In particular,he will look at how we can betterprevent cancer, how it can be diagnosedearlier and also improve treatmentfor people who suffer from thisawful disease.Also, it was pleasing to see theEverybody Centre, which offers arange of confidential services foryoung people aged 14 to 24, at BarbaraCastle Way Health Centre beinghighly commended in a prestigiousnational award.We are committed to improvingoutcomes for children and youngpeople and this is a shining exampleof how we can do that.I would like to wish you all a MerryChristmas and Happy New Year anddo remember to keep warm and wellduring the cold days and also makesure you plan for a healthy festive season.Our article opposite will help.HealthDoctors are urging people to plantheir medical care before the busyChristmas and New Year period whenhealth services will have reducedopening times.People are advised to book routinedoctors’ appointments in advance andarrange to collect medicines and repeatprescriptions early to ensure they have everythingthey need.Blackburn GP Dr Zaki Patel said:“People sometimes ignore symptoms inthe run up to Christmas then suddenly findthemselves needing urgent treatment ordiscovering that their prescription medicinehas run out on a bank holiday whenGP practices are closed.“If people have a health concern, Iwould urge them to make an appointmentto see their GP before Christmas. Similarly,anyone who takes regular medicationshould make sure they contact their surgeryto order a repeat prescription at leasta couple of weeks before Christmas.”The winter is one of the busiest timesof year for the NHS as cold weather conditionscan make long-term conditions suchas asthma worse and cause people to falland injure themselves.Dr Charles Thomson, Emergency DepartmentConsultant at Royal BlackburnHospital urged people to choose the rightWHAT?Lots of health problems can be treatedjust by looking after yourself. Keep arange of over the counter medicines likepainkillers, cough mixture and antisepticin your medicine cabinet, drinkingplenty of water and getting lots of rest.Use the NHS Direct health and symptomcheckers, which are available onlineor via a free mobile app for Androidand iPhone smartphones and provideimmediate self-care advice.WHEN?All year round!HOW?Visit: www.nhs.uk/nhsdirectWHAT?Visiting your pharmacist can be a fastand convenient way to get minor illnessesand injuries treated. Pharmacists arefully trained health professionals and aswell as giving out prescriptions, theyprovide a wide range of services andfree help and advice on symptoms suchas coughs, stomach-aches and headaches.Youcan access any pharmacywithout the need to make an appointmentand many are open evenings andat weekends.WHEN?A number of pharmacies across theborough will open on Christmas Eve,Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’sEve and New Year’s Day.HOW?Visit: www.nhs.uk to find your nearestpharmacist or www.bwd.nhs.uk/ for detailsof Christmas and New Year openingtimes.WHAT?111 is an NHS helpline which providesNHS service over the Christmas and NewYear period to make sure urgent and emergencyservices are available for those whoneed them most.“People think that because the hospital’semergency department and urgentcare centre are open 24hours a day, sevendays a week, they are the same as a walkin clinic, but they are for people who needurgent help for a serious illness or injury.“Many people whocome to the hospitalcould have treatedthemselves at homewith advice from a pharmacistor an appointmentwith their GP.All GPs have an outof hours service for illnessesthat can’t waituntil the surgery opensand people can accessthis by dialling 111.”CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HEALTH SERVICESSELF CAREPHARMACIES111PREPARE NOW FORA HEALTHY WINTERadvice about symptoms and where togo for treatment. It is free to call fromall phones, including mobiles. Operatorswill ask about basic information, includingany medication you are taking,then assess your problem. For moreinformation about the 111 service visit:www.northwest111.nhs.uk.WHEN?Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,including Christmas Eve, ChristmasDay, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve andNew Year’s DayHOW?Tel: 111GP SURGERIESWHAT?See a doctor if you have symptoms thatyou or your pharmacist cannot treat andthat have continued for more than a fewdays. If you are away visiting family overChristmas and New Year, you can contactany GP practice, explain you areaway from home, and ask for a one-offGP appointment.WHEN?Most open Christmas Eve and NewYears Eve. Closed weekends, ChristmasDay, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.HOW?Visit www.nhs.uk to find your nearestsurgery.OUT OF HOURS GPWHAT?If you need medical attention whenyour GP surgery is closed, but are not illenough to need a 999 ambulance, youshould ring 111 to access East Lancashire’sout of hours GP service. Theservice offers telephone advice, GP appointmentsat a primary care centre orhome visit if symptoms can’t wait untilnormal surgery hours.WHEN?Open 6.30pm to 8am, 7 days a weekCUT OUT AND KEEPall year round, including Christmas Eve,Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’sEve and New Year’s DayHOW?Tel: 111MINOR INJURIES UNITSWHAT?You can walk into any minor injuries unitwithout an appointment. There are twoin Blackburn with Darwen at BarbaraCastle Way Health Centre on SimmonsStreet, Blackburn, and Darwen HealthCentre on James Street West, Darwen.They deal with problems like cuts andbruises, suspected fractures, minor eyeproblems, burns, scalds and sprains.They are staffed by doctors, specialistnurses and staff nurses, with x-ray facilitiesavailable.WHEN?Open 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Fridayincluding on Christmas Eve and NewYear’s Eve. Closed Christmas Day andNew Years Day.HOW?Tel: (01254) 617400 or just turn upDENTISTWHAT?Do not contact your GP, Out of Hoursor the hospital’s 111 service if you havea dental emergency when your dentalpractice is closed. Instead, contact theBlackburn and East Lancs Dental Servicefor an emergency appointment.WHEN?All dental practices are closed onChristmas Day, Boxing Day and NewYear’s DayHOW?Tel: 0845 5333230URGENT CARE CENTRESWHAT?The Urgent Care Centres at BurnleyGeneral Hospital and the Royal BlackburnHospital can treat non life-threateningillnesses and injuries, as well assimple broken bones.WHEN?The Urgent Care Centres are open 24hours a day, all year round, but shouldonly be used when urgent treatmentis needed that can’t be provided by apharmacist, GP, Out of Hours GP or MinorInjuries Unit.HOW?No appointment is needed but you mayhave to wait some time. Unless your illnessor injury is urgent, you will get thetreatment you need more quickly andconveniently by using one of the aboveoptions.EMERGENCYDEPARTMENTWHAT?The emergency department at RoyalBlackburn Hospital is for life-threateningemergencies only. An emergencyincludes things like: Suspected heart attack or stroke Suspected meningitis Breathing difficulties Chest pains Unconsciousness Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding Suspected drug overdose Sudden and severe headaches Head injuries Serious injuries such as impalementor stab wounds Suspected fractures or severeburnsWHEN?The emergency department is open 24hours a day all year round for life threateningemergencies only.HOW?Someone can bring you or call 999 foran ambulance.Creating a connected, prosperous, clean, safe and healthy Blackburn with Darwen
For more information about all Council Services see www.blackburn.gov.uk The Shuttle 19HealthYour health and wellbeingBlackburn with Darwen is one of the first places in the country to have a Health and Wellbeing Board,where Council staff and councillors can work with public health colleagues, GPs, voluntary andcommunity groups and members of the public to improve local health.This is an exciting opportunity for us to make a difference and we have started this journey togetherby working with residents and more than 20 local organisations to find out what needs to be done.The NHS has a key role to play, but good housing, education, transport, employment, incomeand having a strong network of friends and family around you are all important too and we haveconsidered all these factors in coming up with our plan for the next three years. See how your viewshave contributed below.Cllr Kate Hollern: Leader of the CouncilChair of the Blackburn with Darwen Health and Wellbeing BoardBest start forchildren and youngpeopleThe ChallengePoor housing, low incomes,deprivation and child povertymeans young people living inBlackburn with Darwen tend to be less healthy as they grow upthan children in other areas.We spoke to the youth forum, Children’s Trust, young people andparents and organisations working with local families.You said…Breastfeeding support works well and helps mums to makepositive changesYou want more support for young carersYoung people need more information and support to deal withemotional difficulties and build self esteem.So we will…Run education sessions for businesses, parents, relativesand friends to encourage understanding and support forbreastfeeding mumsWork with partners to recognise, record and support youngcarersRaise awareness of local mental health and wellbeing supportand services and boost self-esteem throughout school life.Promoting good healthThe ChallengeHealth and workThe ChallengeThere are around 40,000 people of working age with a long-termhealth condition in Blackburn with Darwen – of these 11,000 areon out-of-work benefits – and this is a major cause of poor healthand disadvantage.We spoke to people who are out of work and have healthproblems, those on return-to-work schemes and organisations thatwork with people who are not employed.You said…Employers need guidance and support to be more tolerant ofemployee’s needsPeople need confidence and training opportunities to get backinto work.So we will…Support local employerson workplace healthand working towards a‘Wellbeing at Work’ Charter Include employment supportin the care package forpeople with long termconditions and cancer,including confidence-buildingand training to help themstay in or return to work.Older PeopleThe ChallengeSafe and healthyhomes andneighbourhoodsThe ChallengeA third of all privately ownedhomes and half of privatelyrented properties in Blackburnwith Darwen are in a poor condition. Problems with dampness,cold and poor maintenance increase the risk of injuries and illhealth. Road safety is another important issue, as there are moreroad deaths and serious injuries involving children under 16 than inmany other parts of the country.We spoke to residents and a range of community and voluntaryorganisations that work with local people.You said…You want to review speed limits. A 20mph scheme near schoolsin Preston has reduced accidents.People in communities should help each other, enabling youngand older people to connect and pass on life skillsPrivate rented houses should be better monitored.So we will…Aim to introduce 20mph speed limits in residential areasInvestigate time banking/volunteering opportunities so peoplecan help others with jobs around the houseIntroduce training and licensing schemes for private landlords.Around half the adult population in Blackburn with Darwenhave at least one long-term health condition such as asthmaor diabetes and the majority of those aged over 75 have threeor more conditions.We spoke to people who have had health checks, people withdrug and alcohol problems, local charities, GPs and othersworking to promote health.You said… Communities should support each other better and reduce isolation More health services should be provided in venues like sports centres for people who don’t likevisiting traditional health centres People should change their lifestyles and consider healthy options.So we will… Join up local services at a neighbourhood level and run a Good Neighbour scheme as part of theCouncil’s Your Call campaign Create one point of access for people to get help with issues that affect their health Continue to provide free leisure, restrict the number of fast food outlets and promote minimumpricing of alcohol.We have a higher than average number of people in residentialcare and a high number returning to hospital within 90 days ofbeing discharged. This suggests older people find it difficult toremain independent in their own homes due to ill health andpoor housing.We spoke to residents in a sheltered housing scheme andmembers of the 50+ Partnership and Older People’s Forum.You said…You don’t know where to go for information and advice or how to get involved in local decisionmaking.You want to feed back your experiences of services and know you are being listened to.So we will…Make more use of the Your Support Your Choice website to help people get information aboutservices that encourage independenceInvolve the 50+ Partnership in local events to tell people about changes to the benefits system andlobby on behalf of older peopleCreate a team of volunteer service users to provide evidence for reviews of care homes, day care,home care and hospital care.“Health and Wellbeing is about living life to the full, happiness, feelingsecure in your own self and the community in which you live.”local residentsWhat next?You can find out more by reading the full Health and Wellbeing Strategy at www.blackburn.gov.uk/hwb-strategy. The plan will be reviewed and updatedevery year and we want to hear your views. You can email publichealthadmin@bwd.nhs.uk or post your comments and suggestions on Twitter at #BwDHWB.Creating a connected, prosperous, clean, safe and healthy Blackburn with Darwen
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