Archive for November, 2010
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
The local NHS in Birmingham want you to have a happy, healthy and safe over the festive period this year. We know you can’t always plan when you or a member of your family are going to be ill. However you can be prepared and make yourself aware of all the choices available to you, if you or your family become ill over the festive season.
Christmas is a busy time for NHS services so choosing the right service for your needs could save you considerable time and make sure you are treated promptly.
Colds, flu, diarrhoea and vomiting – use our symptom checker
You can get advice on how to cope with diarrhoea and vomiting or colds and flu symptoms through NHS Direct’s online health and symptom checkers available at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect.
Remember to think ahead!
It may be hard for you to get a repeat prescription over the holiday period, so why not think ahead and stock up on all of your repeat prescription medicines to see you through the festive period.
Treat yourself
Keeping your medicine cabinet well stocked will mean you can easily treat everyday illnesses, such as coughs and colds. So, while tackling the festive shopping this year, why not pop in to your local pharmacy and stock up on some home remedies.
Advice at home
NHS Direct offers health advice 24 hours a day in the comfort of your own home. Telephone 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Over the counter
Pharmacists can offer health advice and remedies over the counter for a range of illnesses such as coughs, colds and flu, pregnancy testing and minor cuts and injuries. Opening hours for pharmacies will vary over the holiday period – we will be publishing details on this website during December. You can also check your local newspaper or visit www.nhs.uk
Your local GP
Book an appointment or contact your GP for advice during normal opening hours every day, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. More than three quarters of our GP practices now offer extended opening hours: for more information, check your surgery opening times on GP services on the NHS Choices website.
If you feel unwell and your GP surgery is closed, call your surgery reception, who will connect you to the out of hours service or give you a number to call. You can also see a GP at the Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk-in Centre at 196 High Street, Erdington, without an appointment or having to be registered with the practice, between 8am and 8pm every day, 365 days a year.
Minor injuries or illnesses
Our urgent care centres in Kingstanding and Washwood Heath provide advice and treatment by experienced nurses, for a range of minor injuries and illnesses, including coughs, cuts, sprains, burns, ear infections and emergency contraception. You can walk in without needing an appointment. The NHS walk-in centre based on the lower ground floor of Boots on High Street, Birmingham city centre, is open every day over the festive period, except Christmas Day.
Urgent dental treatment
Ring your dentist to book an emergency appointment, or for out of hours emergencies contact 0845 603 1435. If you are not registered with a dental practice and need emergency treatment, walk-in to the Birmingham Dental Hospital on St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham city centre, daily from 7.30am Monday – Friday. Patients are seen on a first come first served basis, with treatment starting at 9am.
A&E and 999
If you have a serious injury or a real emergency go to your nearest A&E or dial 999.
See also
Communication materials
| Platforms: | Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
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| Category: | Communications And Foi |
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| License: | Freeware |
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| Date: | December 14, 2010 |
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| Platforms: | Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
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| Category: | Communications And Foi |
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| License: | Freeware |
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| Date: | December 14, 2010 |
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| Platforms: | Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
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| Category: | Communications And Foi |
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| License: | Freeware |
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| Date: | December 14, 2010 |
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Posted in Communications and FOI, Community health services, Dentists, Emergencies and urgent care, Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk in Centre, Featured, GPs, General public, News, Pharmacies, Press release, Walk-in centres, Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre, Washwood Heath Urgent Care Centre, What our priorities are and how we are doing, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
NHS Birmingham East and North is supporting national Self Care Week, 15 to 21 November 2010.
Self Care is about taking control of your own health and wellbeing, how you treat minor ailments and take medicines and seek help when you need it, as well as keeping fit and healthy. People say they want to look after their own health, especially those with a long term condition. Most people with a long term condition have learned to be experts in their care but not all feel able or confident to self care.
Learning to look after your health is a good thing – it puts you in control, improves your quality of life and helps you live more healthily.There are lots of services and support available to help you to do this, including:
Your local pharmacist can give you help and advice about your health and well being, and about treating minor ailments, particularly if you have a long term condition, or speak to your GP or practice nurse about how they can help you take control.
Posted in Communications and FOI, General public, Health improvement, News, Press release, What our priorities are and how we are doing | No Comments »
Friday, November 5th, 2010
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham and the local MP made it a day to remember on 5 November as they opened an innovative High Street health centre in Erdington.
Believed to be one of the first health facilities of its kind in the UK, the Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk in Centre occupies a prime position at 196 High Street, Erdington. Behind a “shop window”, the newly refurbished building hosts a variety of NHS and other health services over the three floors.
The ground floor houses a health and local services information shop, provided by Health Exchange. Shoppers can pop in for health information and advice, and there is space for groups and organisations to deliver services for the local community, including stop smoking sessions, Health Exchange’s Health Trainer service and the Expert Patient Programme.
On the first floor is a new GP practice and GP-led health centre, run by Badger Midlands Medical. People can walk in and see a GP without an appointment between 8am and 8pm every day, 365 days a year, or register for appointments at the practice either in person or by calling 0121 686 8010.
On the second floor, young people can access free contraceptive services and other sexual health services on a walk-in basis at the New Attitudes contraception and sexual health centre.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, and Erdington MP Jack Dromey cut a ribbon to officially open the centre, after taking a tour of the new facilities and chatting to staff and patients.
Councillor Gregory said: “I am delighted to be opening the Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk in Centre. The centre, with its High Street location, makes it easy for people to drop in to access a variety of high quality health information and services, including GPs. The centre will benefit hundreds of people living in and around Erdington, who now have access to a GP without an appointment all year round.”
Paul Sabapathy CBE, Chair of NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “Everyone worked very hard on getting the centre ready for patients, and we are thrilled that the Lord Mayor and local MP officially opened the building. The practice was developed thanks to extra funding to open practices in areas such as Erdington that have lower levels of GPs.”
Ends
Enquiries
Above is a photograph of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Len Gregory, Paul Sabapathy and Jack Dromey MP officially opening the Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk-in Centre.
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North External Communications Manager, on 0121 380 0620.
Notes to editors
NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 152 primary care trusts (PCTs) 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 in north and east Birmingham.
We organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent, referred to as commissioning.
About Health Exchange
Health Exchange is a social enterprise dedicated to encouraging people to make positive choices to improve their health and wellbeing. Working directly with individuals, and through local community organisations, primary care centres, GP practices and pharmacies, they provide information, signposting and support to enable people to choose a healthier lifestyle. Their website is at www.healthexchange.org.uk.
Badger Healthcare is a local, not-for-profit organisation. It provides GP out-of-hours services to patients in six PCTs in the Birmingham and surrounding areas. Badger Healthcare is part of the Badger Group, developed by a co-operative of GPs in Birmingham and Solihull.
Midlands Medical Partnership is a partnership of 26 Birmingham General Practitioners who provide NHS GP services to 48,000 patients across Birmingham.
New Attitudes is a free NHS contraception and sexual health clinic open six days a week as a drop-in service. It will provide all methods of contraception and testing, treatment and screening of sexually transmitted infections. This service will also provide support and training for GPs, nurses and other professional in contraception and sexual health.
Posted in Commissioning, Community health services, Emergencies and urgent care, Erdington, Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk in Centre, General public, Health improvement, News, Press release, Sexual health, The services we offer, Walk-in centres, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
A community project in Birmingham is helping young people with their personal, spiritual and social development with a series of new sports sessions.
Start Again provides a range of opportunities to enable young people with, or at risk of developing mental health issues, to develop their understanding and skills by providing a tailored package of support, including physical activities, to promote general wellbeing, social inclusion and motivation.
Football sessions are held at Yardley Powerleague, at 21 Sedgemere Road, on Mondays from 12 – 2pm and are led by fully qualified football coaches.
Netball sessions also run at Nechells Community Centre every Friday between 2pm and 3pm.
Valerie Morton, Health Advisor at Start Again, said: “Physical exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on an individual’s ability to manage their mental health issues. Through our sports sessions, we aim to promote healthy living, social inclusion, motivation and self-confidence in our participants. People taking part in the sessions are better able to manage their mental health issues and have greater general wellbeing, so relying less on prescription medication.
“Both the football and netball sessions help inspire young people to set their own goals and provide relevant and appropriate opportunities to young people, as well as giving them the opportunity to socialise and have fun.”
To join the sessions, young people can ask their GP or support service to refer them, or they can complete the referral form on the website at www.start-again.co.uk. Alternatively, people can contact Val on 07722766047 or email info@start-again.co.uk.
Ends
Enquiries
You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to the football session at Aston Powerleague, on Tuesday or Thursday at 12 – 2pm. On arrival, please ask for Mark Peters.
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North External Communications Manager, on 0121 380 0620.
Notes to editors
NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 152 primary care trusts (PCTs) 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 in north and east Birmingham.
We organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent, referred to as commissioning.
Posted in Children, General public, Health improvement, Mental health, News, Press release, What our priorities are and how we are doing | No Comments »
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
Note: This consultation is now closed. Visit http://benpct.nhs.uk/pharmacyneeds/ to find out the results.
NHS chiefs are asking residents across east and north Birmingham to share their views on pharmacy services in their area.
NHS Birmingham East and North commissions and looks after services that people get from their local pharmacy (or chemist). The NHS regularly reviews these services in a process known as a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). The PNA is a document that assesses the need for pharmaceutical services in the area, used to help the NHS plan pharmacy provision for the population by identifying where efforts in commissioning services should focus.
As part of this work, NHS Birmingham East and North is asking patients, the public and community groups to have their say on the PNA document and its findings. The consultation, which is now underway, builds on the outcomes of a pre-consultation back in the summer, including the results of a questionnaire.
The PNA document will be available on the internet at http://benpct.nhs.uk/pharmacyneeds until the consultation closes on 31 December. People can also complete the online survey on the web page.
Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “We really want and value the input of residents in understanding how people use their local pharmacy and in helping to shape what we might provide in the future.
“When available, we will share the results of the consultation on the NHS Birmingham East and North website.”
If you would like more information about the consultation or would like a paper copy of the PNA document, call Phil Clark on 0121 380 9107 or email phil.clark@benpct.nhs.uk.
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North External Communications Manager, on 0121 380 0620.
Notes to editors
NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 152 primary care trusts (PCTs) 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 in north and east Birmingham.
We organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent, referred to as commissioning.
Posted in Commissioning, General public, News, Pharmacies, Press release, Public and patient liaison, The services we offer, What our priorities are and how we are doing | No Comments »
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
Families in the north and east of Birmingham can now work together to get fitter and healthier, thanks to a new online tool launched this week.
My Family Plan is a free website that helps families to make simple changes to their lifestyles to improve their health and wellbeing. Families complete an online questionnaire, with the answers generating a report tailored just for them. The report helps families to set health and lifestyle goals, and family members taking part get regular support from an online personal trainer to motivate them in reaching their goals.
When families sign up they are also able to download recipes, access information on healthy eating, find physical activity opportunities in their area and explore links to other sites to help them achieve their goals.
Linda Hindle, Dietician at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “Recent statistics shows that one in 10 children in the Birmingham East and North area are obese by the time they start school, and by year six, that figure doubles to one in four in some areas. In today’s society, with easy access to fast food and less opportunity for activity, it is becoming harder for families to follow a healthy lifestyle.
“This new website gives families advice that is specific to them, showing what they are doing well already and giving advice on what small changes they make to their lifestyles, which can make a big difference to their health. Working together means that family members can motivate each other to improve their health, as well as getting support from the online trainer.”
To register for My Family Plan, go to https://myfamily.getfit.com.
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North External Communications Manager, on 0121 380 0620.
Notes to editors
NHS Birmingham East and North is one of 152 primary care trusts (PCTs) 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 in north and east Birmingham.
We organise and fund the delivery of health care with the involvement of local people, maximising health outcomes for every pound spent, referred to as commissioning.
Posted in Children's health, Families, General public, Health advice, Health improvement, News, Press release, The services we offer | No Comments »
