Stop smoking with one of our smoking clinics

The new year is a great time to stop smoking. We are putting on a number of stop smoking sessions in 2010 to help you stop.

Our stop smoking service can help you at other times of the year.

Drop-in stop smoking sessions in east and north Birmingham for 2010.

• Drop-in stop smoking sessions
• Group stop smoking sessions
• One-to-one (appointment only) sessions

Drop-in stop smoking sessions

Please turn up between the times shown. Sessions are correct at time of publication.

Group stop smoking sessions in east and north Birmingham

Please turn up at the start time shown. Sessions are correct at time of publication.

One-to-one (appointment only) sessions

Phone store to book appointment 0121 783 2403

Time: Every Tuesday 3pm to 5pm
Date: 5th Jan onwards
Address
Boots Yew Tree
Unit 4
Yew Tree Retail Park
Stoney Lane
B25 8RE

Tags: drop-in clinic
Posted in Community, Event, General public, Health improvement, News, Smoking, The services we offer | 2 Comments »

Health advice for stomach bug sufferers

Are you suffering from a stomach bug causing sickness and/or diarrhoea?

If so, please follow this simple health advice to make sure you get well quickly, without passing your symptoms onto friends, family of work colleagues.

A significant number of people living across Birmingham are currently suffering from a stomach bug, causing sickness and/ or diarrhoea. This is an infectious bug that can spread easily between people, caused by a virus called norovirus.

Whilst unpleasant, norovirus is usually a mild condition and people are likely to make a full recovery within 2-3 days.

Anyone can catch this virus; either by coming into contact with an infected person, or touching infected surfaces like door handles or toilets. Outbreaks are more common in enclosed spaces like GP waiting rooms, nurseries, schools, hospitals and care homes.

There is no specific treatment for norovirus – it’s best to just let it run its course. However, if you are suffering from this stomach bug, please follow this simple advice, to make sure you get well quickly, without passing your symptoms onto friends, family of work colleagues:

1. Don’t go to work, school or any other public places. Stay at home for 2-3 days until your symptoms have passed.
2. Don’t go to hospital unless absolutely necessary. There is no treatment for the bug and you are likely to pass it on to other people who are at hospital for other reasons, possibly making them ill.
3. Don’t visit your GP unless absolutely necessary. The best way to get health advice is to call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. You will be able to speak to a qualified health professional, without having to leave your own home.
4. Wash your hands after using the toilet and before preparing food. This can stop the virus from spreading and could prevent you from catching the bug in the first place.
5. Avoid preparing food for others until at least three days after your symptoms have gone.
6. If you have the symptoms of norovirus, try to avoid direct contact with other people for at least 48 hours (two days) after your symptoms have gone.
7. Make sure that you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Try taking frequent sips of water or fruit juice, even if you are being sick.
8. Adults can also take rehydration drinks. These are available from pharmacies (chemists) and provide the correct balance of salt, sugar and minerals for your body. Rehydration drinks are not always advised for children – speak with your pharmacist or GP first.
9. Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for more information about Norovirus and to get specific advice about how to treat symptoms in babies and children.

Ends

Enquiries

For more information, please contact Sally Brooks, NHS Birmingham East and North Acting Head of Communications and Involvement, on 0121 380 9103

Notes for editors

NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 152 primary care trusts within the English NHS. As a PCT it is responsible for the wise investment of public money to ensure health improvement, access to health services and where appropriate the provision of health services to a local population of some 438,000 people, across 17 wards across north and east Birmingham.

In summary we organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent – this is often referred to as commissioning.

Tags: norovirus
Posted in Communications and FOI, Community, General public, Health advice, News, Press release, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »

Former smoker celebrates new baby

Paula and Dave Linthwaite from Sheldon are among over 3,000 smokers who successfully gave up smoking this year with the help of the NHS Birmingham East and North’s Stop Smoking Service. Almost twelve months on, they are celebrating after the birth of a healthy baby girl, Sophie.

Having smoked up to 50 cigarettes a day for years, the couple decided that their 2009 new year’s resolution would be to stop smoking for good. They had been trying for a baby for the last five years and were told by their family doctor that smoking, along with a poor diet and lifestyle, can prevent couples being able to conceive. This, together with the desire to save money, was the deciding factor for them to quit cigarettes forever.

“We made the decision to give up for New Year as a way to save money and get healthier. We were smoking 25 – 30 cigarettes a day and with a small business and cash becoming increasingly tight we knew something had to give” said Paula.

Paula contacted the Stop Smoking Service after speaking to Sue, one of the trust’s stop smoking advisors at a social event. Sue explained what the service did and how it could help and offered to support the couple in stopping smoking.

“The Stop Smoking Service was fantastic” adds Paula. “The advisors were really friendly and made us feel at ease. After taking the Carbon Monoxide test we were both amazed to discover we were actually smoking far more than we originally thought. After discussing our options with Sue we decided to attend some one-to-one sessions and get the free patches and lozenges.”

Six weeks into the programme Paula discovered she was pregnant and soon became convinced that smoking was one of the reasons that they had not been able to fall pregnant earlier.

“We were absolutely delighted to find I was pregnant” continues Paula. “After trying for so long we thought that it was never going to happen. We are extremely grateful to the Stop Smoking Service for helping us to give up this awful habit and in the process enable us to have a healthy baby girl.”

“I would highly recommend the NHS Stop Smoking Service to anyone who wants to quit smoking. The key is not to give up; if it worked for us, it can work for anyone!”

The stop smoking service runs group and drop-in clinics at venues across east and north Birmingham. As well as these session there are many, pharmacies, and GP practices that provide stop smoking support across east and north Birmingham.

To find out where your local service is call 0800 0525 855 between 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday or text ‘QUIT’ to 80800 free from your mobile.

If you are unable to attend the sessions available, you can contact the stop smoking service directly on 0121 465 5417 to receive advice on how to quit and to find out about other services that are available. The NHS Go Smokefree website, www.smokefree.nhs.uk, also provides information on the best way to quit smoking, treatment options and other services you may wish to access.

Ends

Enquiries

For more information, please contact Michelle Abbott, NHS Birmingham East and North Communications and Graphic Design Officer, on 0121 380 09155.

Notes for editors

Find out about upcoming sessions – stop smoking with one of our smoking clinics.

Stop smoking advisors will also be on hand to provide information and support outside Boots the Chemist at the Fort Shopping Park, B24 9FP on 9th January onwards from 11am to 2pm.

NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 153 Primary Care Trusts within the English NHS. As a PCT it is responsible for the wise investment of public money to ensure health improvement, access to health services and where appropriate the provision of health services to a local population of some 438,000 people, across 17 wards across north and east Birmingham.

In summary we organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent – this is often referred to as commissioning.

Posted in Commissioning, Community, Community health services, General public, Health improvement, News, Press and media, Press release, Sheldon, Smoking, The services we offer | No Comments »

Strengthening the organisation of NHS services for Birmingham residents – update

The Boards of NHS Birmingham East and North, NHS South Birmingham and Heart of Birmingham teaching PCT met yesterday to discuss the views that came out of the stakeholder event (see Strengthening the organisation of NHS services for Birmingham residents) held two weeks ago which looked at how we can strengthen the organisation of NHS services for Birmingham residents.

The view that emerged from the event two weeks ago was to move towards a single commissioning organisation for Birmingham. This would bring together the three trusts that currently exist into a single organisation with one board.

Yesterday’s meeting gave the three PCT Boards an opportunity to review this proposal and agree the way forward and next steps. The three Boards agreed that there is a clear need to change the status quo in order to make faster progress on:

• Meeting health improvement and health inequality challenges
• Achieving a balance between strategic and local perspectives
• Clinical engagement
• Efficiency and value
• Governance and leadership
• Performance
• Sustainability and future proof.

Following discussion and careful consideration, the three Boards agreed that the direction of travel for the NHS in Birmingham is a single commissioning organisation. A paper will now be presented to NHS West Midlands – the Strategic Health Authority – which will identify the key principles that will inform the implementation process.

This is a very complex situation. There will need to be a series of robust processes in place to support our transition towards a single PCT for Birmingham. The Boards will be working closely together to ensure that the process is both correct and expeditious. More information on this will be made available to you following meetings with NHS West Midlands early in the New Year.

For more information, please contact:

• Lynda Scott, Director of Communications, Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust 0121 255 0874 or 07702 141483
• Sally Brooks, Head of Communications, Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust on 0121 380 9103
• Stephanie Belgeonne, NHS South Birmingham on 0121 465 7671

Editor’s notes

Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust

Heart of Birmingham serves the health needs of over 300,000 people living in the HoBTPCT patch, which covers some of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods as well as the wealthier shopping and business districts in the centre of Birmingham. The areas we cover include: Oscott, Perry Barr, Handsworth Wood, Lozells, Soho, Aston, Nechells, Ladywood, Sparkbrook and Springfield. 70% of the demographics are ethnic minority and, as a PCT, we pride ourselves on being as diverse as the population we serve.

We buy and manage healthcare services from doctors and dentists, urgent and emergency care as well as specialist services like mental health, sexual health and prison healthcare. The PCT also hosts a number of city-wide partnerships such as the Drug Action Team, Teenage Pregnancy and Birmingham’s Public Health Network. The website can be accessed at www.hobtpct.nhs.uk

NHS Birmingham East and North

NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 152 primary care trusts within the English NHS. As a PCT it is responsible for the wise investment of public money to ensure health improvement, access to health services and where appropriate the provision of health services to a local population of some 438,000 people, across 17 wards across north and east Birmingham.

In summary we organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent – this is often referred to as commissioning. The trust’s website can be accessed at www.benpct.nhs.uk

About NHS South Birmingham

NHS South Birmingham commissions services for a population of 383,000 people. Currently our Primary Care Services include 65 GP practices, 170 General Dental Practitioners, 71 community Pharmacists, and 80 Opticians premises. Our £559 million budget for 2008/09 has been spent on securing health services for the local population.

NHS South Birmingham contracts services from local hospitals. This includes University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

NHS South Birmingham also contracts a range of services from community nursing, children’s services, learning disability services and community hospitals. We also provide services through South Birmingham Community Health. The trust’s website can be accessed at www.sbpct.nhs.uk

Tags: review
Posted in Commissioning, Communications and FOI, Community health services, News, Press release, Strategy and planning, The services we offer, Trust staff and management, What we spend and how we spend it, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »

GP, pharmacy and Tamiflu opening times over Christmas

Opening times for GPs and pharmacies, and collecting anti-virals such as Tamiflu from the Richmond Primary Care Centre, over the Chistmas period.

Opening times for anti-virals

See opening times for anti-virals at the Richmond Primary Care Centre for when to pick up Tamiflu.

GP opening times

Please contact your practice should you have any queries regarding your Practice’s opening times over the festive period.

GP opening times over Christmas 2009 ben-gp-xmas09-a.xls

Platforms:	Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Category:	GPs
License:	Freeware
Date:	December 22, 2009

67.5 KiB 1065 Downloads Details...

Pharmacy opening times

Find your nearest pharmacy (and opening times) using the search below.

Tags: anti-viral, christmas, swine flu, winter
Posted in Commissioning, Community, General public, Health Centres and facilities, News, Pharmacies, Public and patient liaison, The services we offer | No Comments »

Health advice over Christmas

Whether it’s a chipped tooth, the flu or a fall at home, we can never predict when accidents or illnesses will happen, and it’s always unfortunate when it is over the holiday period.

But before you head for A&E – remember, you should only go there if it is a real emergency, such as a serious injury or illness which requires immediate treatment. (more…)

Posted in Blog, The services we offer | No Comments »

Warren Farm Health Centre set to get makeover and new GP practice

Work is about to start on improving and extending Warren Farm Health Centre in Kingstanding as it makes way for a new GP practice. (more…)

Tags: redevelopment
Posted in Commissioning, Community health services, General public, Kingstanding, News, Strategy and planning, The services we offer, Washwood Heath, What we spend and how we spend it, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »

GPs at urgent care centres over Christmas

Over Christmas, GPs will be available at both Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre in Kingstanding, or Washwood Heath Urgent Care Centre offering emergency medical appointments on Saturday 26 December, Monday 28 December and Saturday 2 January 2010.

Posted in Commissioning, Community health services, Emergencies and urgent care, GPs, News, The services we offer, Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre, Washwood Heath, Washwood Heath Health Centre, Washwood Heath Urgent Care Centre | No Comments »

Back pain: move it and lose it!

Taken from Health News Winter 2009.

We’ve all experienced some sort of back, neck or joint pain at some point in our lives. In fact, around 70% of people in the UK will suffer from back pain during their life time.

So why do I get back pain?

• An attack of back pain may be brought on by a variety of factors including:
• Undertaking heavy physical work
• Frequent bending, twisting, lifting, pulling and pushing
• Repetitive work
• Prolonged sitting or standing in one position

Everyone’s experience of back pain will be different, however, be reassured it is rarely due to any serious disease. Stress, lack of fitness, being overweight or smoking may all aggravate the pain.

How can I ease the pain?

Your back is designed to move so move it! Keeping active will not only help you lose weight and stay healthy – it will also help ease your back pain. Even when your back is very painful, you can make a start without putting too much stress on it.

Start off with some gentle exercises and then move on to more strenuous activities as and when you feel comfortable.

Pain management service

NHS Birmingham East and North’s award-winning pain management service is available to anyone suffering from back pain living in east and north Birmingham.

The team of physiotherapists, doctors and psychologists can provide support to people and teach them the skills needed to control their long term pain.

Eve Jenner, Consultant Physiotherapist for NHS Birmingham East and North says:

“When back pain attacks it can be very painful and alarming. It’s natural to think that something terrible might have happened although in reality back pain is rarely due to serious disease. Most back pain will settle down within a few days or weeks and individuals can take the measures described in this article to ease

their pain and help their recovery.

“If you have severe pain that gets worse over a few weeks instead of better or if you have been or feel unwell you should see your GP.

“Very rarely people with back pain may suddenly develop symptoms that need an urgent doctor’s appointment. These symptoms are:

• Difficulty in passing or controlling urine
• Numbness in your groin, around your back passage or genitals
• Weakness, numbness or pins and needles in both legs
• Loss of balance or unsteadiness on your feet

“Remember these symptoms are very rare so don’t worry too much!”

If your back pain is not improving after about six weeks don’t suffer in silence! Talk to your GP about your pain. He/She will refer you to the NHS Birmingham East and North Back Pain Service using ‘Choose & Book’.

Are you experiencing foot and ankle pain?

Have a knee or sports injury or are you suffering from whiplash? Visit our YouTube channel to view our range of pain management DVDs, providing useful information on how to manage your pain effectively.

Elaine’s story

“It felt great being able to do something for myself and to be told that there was something I could do about my condition.”

Elaine, who is 56 years old and from Sutton Coldfield, has been suffering with chronic back problems for the last 16 years.

“I started to feel pain in my lower back after helping a friend with her wheelchair. Slowly over time, the lifting and handling of the chair caused a large amount of strain on my back and as a result my pain began to worsen.”

Elaine’s job has also played a part in the problem. Elaine is the founder of a charity called ‘Advocacy Matters’, which aims to ensure disabled people have a say in their lives.

“I find my job very rewarding, but as founder it can be very stressful at times. The combination of stress and poor lifting and handling had caused my back pain to become more intense.

“I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, the pain was so bad. I was beginning to feel depressed and was desperate to find anything to help ease the pain. I’d tried everything and nothing was working – I knew I needed to seek further help.

“A family member mentioned the Pain Management Service to me after spotting one of the adverts on the Chester Road. I went to see my GP who referred me to the service. Patrick Hill and the team worked with me to develop a personal exercise plan which I found I could easily do at home or at work. Starting with very simple exercises, I was soon able to move on to more strenuous activities.

“It felt great being able to do something for myself and to be told that there was something I could do about my condition. I would encourage anyone who is suffering from back pain to seek further help and advice. The Pain Management Service has really helped me to control my back pain. You really don’t need to suffer in silence.”

Facts about back pain

• Back pain is very common and often not due to any serious diseas
• About half the people who get backache will get it again within a couple of years
• It is estimated that four out of every five adults will experience back pain at some stage in their life
• Simple measures can be taken to reduce the chances of developing back pain or manage pain effectively
• 90% of people with acute back pain will recover within six weeks
• Your back is designed to move
• People who cope best with back pain are those who stay active and get on with life.

When back pain strikes

What people do in the early stages of these attacks is important. It’s easy to think that rest is the best thing, when in fact resting for more than a couple of days can actually prolong the pain and can lead to other problems. The back is designed to move and research shows that people who cope best with back pain are those who stay active.

An attack of back pain can be very painful. Here are some treatments which can help to ease the pain short term and allow you to control it long enough to get back on your feet:

• Pain killers – Pain killers can help to ease the pain so that you are able to remain active. Your pharmacist can advise you which tablets would be best for you.
• Heat and cold – can help relax muscle tension and provide short term relief. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel can be used as a cold pack and placed on the painful area for 15-20 minutes.
• If you prefer warmth use a ‘hot pack’ or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel for 20-30 minutes to achieve some pain relief.
• Massage – gentle rubbing on the affected area can ease the pain and relax muscle spasm.

Advice from the Physio – Russell George, Pain Physiotherapist

“The key to any successful treatment is movement at a pace you can easily manage. Returning to fitness is a gradual process but you will be able to see improvements along the way!”

Tags: back pain
Posted in Blog, Community, Community health services, Health improvement, Pain management, People and populations, The services we offer | No Comments »

Living with diabetes

Taken from Health News Winter 2009.

Despite an estimated 20,000 people living with diabetes across east and north Birmingham, it is a condition that is often misunderstood. With the right care and support, people with diabetes can lead a normal life. However, if not treated properly it can lead to poor health, blindness and even death. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Bordesley Green, Community, Community health services, Diabetes, GPs, Health improvement, People and populations, The services we offer | No Comments »