Copy
View this email in your browser
Welcome to the latest edition of the West Suffolk CCG newsletter
September 14 2018
Atrial fibrillation on BBC Radio Suffolk

Yesterday's BBC Radio Suffolk Breakfast Show was talking all things atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate

On the show was Claire Jay from NHS West Suffolk CCG alongside Dr John Cannon, a Suffolk GP specialist in cardiology and Ben Lord, whose grandfather died from a stroke last year.

It was great awareness of this condition being raised.
Listen to the interview from 7 mins HERE
Living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? We've created a short film which explains why signing up for a free NHS My Diabetes course could help you live well with the condition. Click on the image above to watch.
Visit the My Diabetes website for more information HERE
Launch of new service for those affected by suicide
 
On Monday's World Suicide Prevention Day a new pilot project to support people affected by suicide was launched.




Dr John Hague (pictured left), a Suffolk GP and STP mental health lead, said: “The new suicide liaison service offers a skilled worker, who is available very soon after the event. They will help guide the bereaved, and those close by them, both practically and emotionally, through what will be one of the most difficult times of their lives.”
Read more HERE
Our friends at Suffolk Refugee Support have asked us to share this message with you.....
Book your place at the Mind, Body and Soul conference

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s Governors are to host a free half-day conference in Suffolk called ‘Mind, Body and Soul’.

Service users and their families, health and social care professionals and anyone with an interest in mental, physical and spiritual health are invited to this special event on November 2, looking at health and recovery through ‘social prescribing’.

This is the use of non-medical activities and support services, such as housing and benefit advice, gardening, arts and crafts, sport etc which promote healthy lifestyles and community cohesion.

*Pictured is Ian Hartley who is one of six NSFT Public Governors representing Suffolk, is helping to organise the conference
Read more and book your place HERE
You have the opportunity to say "thank you" to the staff at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT). 

The Putting People First staff awards are a key part of the Trust’s commitment to recognising and celebrating examples of best practice, to help further improve services.

Saying ‘thank-you’ to thestaff and ensuring they understand how much they are valued is vital for their wellbeing and that of our patients, as we know the positive morale of our staff leads to excellent patient care.

So if you are a patient, a carer, a relative, member of staff or a partner organisation and want to celebrate some of the excellent practice carried out in our Trust, then this is your opportunity!
More information and nominate HERE
How healthy is your heart?

Check out the new OneYou Heart Age Test. It will:

- Tell you your heart age compared to your real age
- Explain why it is important to know your blood pressure and cholesterol number
- Give advice on how to reduce your heart age
Take the test HERE
Look out for our new social media graphics that aim to remind people that most travel vaccinations have to be paid for.....
West Suffolk Hospital nominated for health care award
 

An innovative alternative to pagers trialled by the Trust has been shortlisted for a prestigious healthcare award.

The Trust has been shortlisted for the national Health Service Journal Awards for ‘Using Technology to Improve Efficiency’, after testing a new digital communication tool.

‘Medic Bleep’ is an app that allows hospital and community staff to communicate in real time, sharing vital information and updates about patients accurately and safely. Whilst not a replacement for face-to-face communication, the new technology is considered far more effective than the pager system which is common in most hospitals.
Read more HERE
Plus, the Eastern Daily Press recently published a lovely article about West Suffolk Hospital, highlighting its wonderful and caring staff. 
Read the article HERE
West Suffolk Hospital welcomes winter funding pledge 

Hospital leaders have welcomed the Government’s latest winter funding announcement, which they say will help to support more effective emergency care.
 
The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust will receive £2.3m to increase emergency care capacity ahead of winter, which is part of the £145m announcement made last week by the Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to support the NHS across the winter period.
 
The funding will be used to support the WSFT acute assessment unit (AAU), currently in the first phase of development and due to open in December.

Chief executive Dr Stephen Dunn said it would help to support the hospital during the busy winter months: “Every year we see demands on the NHS increase, and this is particularly seen during the winter months.
 
“Of course we still expect to face challenges this winter, but this additional funding will really make a difference. Our new acute assessment unit will mean people have quicker access to specialists when they need them, and be able to get the diagnosis and treatment they need to go home rather than stay in hospital. It will modernise the way that we care for our emergency patients, and we hope that will have a real impact on our ability to manage winter demand.
 
“We’re delighted that additional funding support has been provided, and we’re very grateful for the Government’s investment not just in ourselves, but in the NHS as a whole.”
 
St Edmundsbury Cathedral - A People of Peace 

NHS England launches campaign urging patients to ‘check before you tick’ for free prescriptions

NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority have launched a nationwide campaign to help people understand their eligibility for free prescriptions.

The ‘Check Before You Tick’ campaign will encourage patients to check whether they are entitled to free prescriptions before claiming them to help reduce the £256 million cost per year to the NHS when people incorrectly claim them for free. 

 
More information on the campaign HERE
Entries for the 2018 Suffolk Care Home Olympics Now Open

Entries have opened for the 3rd annual Suffolk Care Home Olympics.
 
The purpose of the competition is to give care home residents a fun and enjoyable experience of sport whilst also highlighting the importance of physical activity within social care settings.
 
Residents of Childwick House in Newmarket are set to defend their crown, in what is expected to be a hotly contested competition. Organisers, Elatus Sports and Suffolk County Council, are expecting around 40 care homes to take part.
 
Read more HERE

Public Health England and Drinkaware launch Drink Free Days

A new campaign has been launched to encourage middle-aged drinkers to have drink-free days each week to reduce their health risks from alcohol.
Read more HERE
Stepping Out in Suffolk - Healthy Walks

OneLife Suffolk has recently published its new Healthy Walks Autumn brochure - listing a range of healthy walks in which you are invited to participate.

Why is walking the perfect activity for health? • Almost everyone can do it. • You can do it anywhere & anytime. • It’s a chance to make new friends. • It’s free & you don’t need to book or have special equipment. • You can also start slowly & build up gently
Read the brochure HERE

OneLife Suffolk is passionate about supporting local people to live healthier lives to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

In their second year, they supported over 20,000 local people to access a health intervention in Suffolk, that’s over 35,000 across the county since April 2016!
Read the Annual Report HERE
Can you help Healthwatch Suffolk respond to an enquiry about LGBT communities and NHS and care services?
 

The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (appointed to examine the Government’s performance on equalities issues) has launched an inquiry to consider whether provision is adequate, whether discrimination is still occurring, and what more needs to be done to improve access to health and social care.

Healthwatch Suffolk is planning to respond to the inquiry but needs your help.

Share your experiences…

You can tell Healthwatch Suffolk about your experiences by using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XQ3V26S

Your responses will be anonymous. Alternatively, you can send an email to info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk or call them on 01449 703949.

Healthwatch Suffolk want to hear from anyone that has used, may use or is using NHS or social care services including patients, carers and staff.

The deadline for responses is September 26.
Plus....save the date

Healthwatch Suffolk's AGM will be taking place on the afternoon of Tuesday November 20 in Felixstowe. 

More information HERE
Suffolk Rape Crisis - could you spare some time and become a volunteer?
Suffolk Rape Crisis has asked us to share details of their forthcoming volunteer recruitment event. The organisation is seeking to expand its dedicated volunteer team by adding some administration and fundraising volunteers as well as some new helpline volunteers. They will be holding a volunteer open evening on Monday September 24 at 6:30pm in their Ipswich office. So why not go along and find out more about who they are and what they do.

Plus - Suffolk Rape Crisis also has a job vacancies for a Volunteer and Helpline Co-ordinator and an Office Manager.
Read more HERE
Search on to find Suffolk’s most active communities
 
Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Association of Local Councils have launched their annual search to find the most active town and villages in Suffolk.
The idea behind the competition, now in its fifth year, is to recognise and celebrate the hard work that communities across Suffolk, both large and small, do to encourage their residents to be active.
It seeks to find the most active town, most active large village (population of more than 1,000) and most active small village (population of less than 1,000).
Read more HERE
Could you volunteer at Mildenhall's new bereavement cafe?
A new weekly bereavement cafe is set to launch in Mildenhall from October 12, organised by St Nicholas Hospice Care.

Volunteers are needed - ideally people with lived experience of bereavement,  who will be trained and upskilled to co-facilitate the group - why not consider volunteering? Contact bianca.nuemann-may@stnh.org.uk for more information
The Shed in Mildenhall

 The Shed is a community garden open to all ages and abilities
 
It  started with the Trustees keen to encourage health and well-being.  Whether that is for medical reasons, personal situations, exercise, friendship, gaining an interest or simply getting out of the house.
 
The Shed has 1.5 acres of land and a stable block being renovating into facilities - kitchen, tea room, storage.
 
The Shed community meet every Tues, Thurs and Saturdays from 10a.m.
 
The Shed is located at Jarman's Lane, West Row (2 miles from Mildenhall).
 
Visit The Shed Facebook page HERE
Dr Imaad Khalid (pictured left), a Suffolk GP says: “Our young people are our future which is why it is so important we all work together to make SLCN services as accessible and effective as possible. It is so important that service users, parents and carers are involved in the plans for change and I hope that people find time to attend and contribute their ideas.”
Read more HERE
See the CCG's job vacancies HERE
Dates for your diary 
Governing Body - The next meeting in public of the NHS West Suffolk CCG will take place later this month on Wednesday September 26 at West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 2SP. The meeting will begin at 9.15 a.m. and you're able to speak with Governing Body members from 9.00 a.m. More information HERE

 


Community Engagement Group (CEG)- The next meeting of the NHS West Suffolk CCG Community Engagement Group will take place on Thursday October 25 from 1 - 3 p.m.in Haverhill, venue to be confirmed. Everyone is welcome to attend. More information HERE
 
If you cannot attend this October meeting, the Community Engagement Group members would still be very interested in hearing from you. If you have any questions relating to WSCCG-commissioned health care services that you would like raised at the CEG meeting please email getinvolved@westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk
Do keep in touch - our mailing address is:
getinvolved@westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk 

See previous editions of the newsletter HERE


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Read the NHS WSCCG Privacy Notice HERE

NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3SP.