Archive for the ‘Business area’ Category
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
Three groups of GP practices in east and north Birmingham have been named today as ‘pathfinder’ consortia. These pathfinders will play an increasing role in commissioning health services for their local population.
The three consortia in east and north Birmingham are:
- Birmingham Inner City Consortium, with 6 practices covering a population of 37,000, mainly in Washwood Heath
- Equity Healthcare Consortium, with 38 practices covering a population of 199,990 in Oscott, Kingstanding, Stockland Green, Erdington and Tyburn, with some practices in Washwood Heath and Hodge Hill
- Forward Health Consortium, with 28 practices covering a population of 172,000, mainly in Sutton Coldfield, Shard End, Sheldon and Stechford
In the West Midlands there are now 22 pathfinder consortia which comprise 626 GP practices and cover a patient population of over 3.5 million.
Under the plans in the Health Bill, GP practices will work together in consortia to manage their local budgets. They will eventually take over the commissioning of services for patients from primary care trusts.
Dr Peter Thebridge, Chair of the Equity Consortium, said: “We are pleased to be part of the pathfinder consortia alongside our colleagues in east and north Birmingham, and that our forward-thinking approach to improving patient care has been recognised as good practice. As a newly appointed pathfinder consortium, we are looking forward to the opportunities this will present for commissioning services for the people of Birmingham.”
Dr Charles Broomhead, Chair of Forward Healthcare Consortium, said: ”We are delighted to become a pathfinder consortium and the fact that Equity and Birmingham Inner City Consortia have also been chosen shows that there is good practice to be shared, working together for around 372,000 patients in the east and north of the city.”
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North Senior 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, GPs, News, Press release, What our priorities are and how we are doing | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
The Government is making use of the natural pause in the passage of the Health Bill to pause, listen, reflect and improve its proposals – and you are invited to put forward your views.
The NHS Future Forum has been established to listen to stakeholders from across the health and social care sector, staff, patients and the public to reflect on their concerns about the modernisation of the NHS
You can have your say through one of the following:
The group is chaired by Professor Steve Field, practising GP in Birmingham and immediate past Chair of Council at the Royal College of General Practitioners
The listening exercise will close on 31 May 2011.
Listening Exercise Themes
The Government wants to hear what people have to say on all aspects of the changes, and particularly across the four themes within the Listening Exercise:
Choice and Competition
- How can we best ensure that competition and patient choice drives NHS improvement?
Public Accountability and Patient Involvement
- How can we make the NHS properly accountable to the public, and make sure that patient involvement is at the heart of its decision making?
Clinical Advice and Leadership
- How can we ensure that advice and leadership from NHS staff themselves on improving services and tackling patient needs are at the heart of the health service?
Education and Training
- How can we make sure that NHS staff in the future have the right skills to meet changing patient needs? Are the arrangements we have proposed for education and training the best ones to ensure this?
After the listening exercise, the Forum will continue to have a role listen and advise on other non-legislative aspects of the modernisation plans, implementation of the changes, and the design of any secondary legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
Why is the government pausing the NHS modernisation programme?
We recognise that people are asking significant questions about what we are doing and that NHS staff are asking what our plans mean for them. That is why we are taking advantage of the natural break in the passage of the Bill to pause, listen, reflect and improve the plans.
We know that nothing is more important than the NHS, and change in the NHS is something we need to be very sure we get absolutely right.
Does this mean the government will scrap its reforms altogether?
No. This is not a review of the need for change. The NHS needs to change because it is not performing as well as it should be. For example, if it was performing at world-class levels, the NHS would be able to save an extra 5,000 lives a year from cancer, and 2,000 lives from respiratory disease. Our population is ageing, and the cost of advanced medicines and treatments rises every year.
Why has the government not listened to people’s views before now?
We want to make sure we capture the views of everyone who cares about the NHS as much as we do. We’ve already improved our plans based on what we’ve heard so far; now we want to improve them even further.
What is likely to be changed/what will stay the same?
We think there are a range of principles underpinning change in the NHS that many people agree on, including:
- patients should always share in decisions about their care;
- front-line staff should lead the design of local services;
- patients should have access to whichever services offer the best quality;
- all NHS trusts should gain the freedoms of foundation trust status;
- we should not try to run the NHS from Whitehall
- the public’s and patients’ voice must be strengthened;
- that public health should be a key priority
- competition is a means to the end of improving patient care, and should be carefully regulated.
What concerns the Bill, and this opportunity for further discussion, are the mechanics of putting these principles into practice.
Many thousands of GPs and other frontline clinical and other staff are already actively involved in GP-led commissioning consortia pathfinders, now covering 87% of the country’s population, and thousands of local authority staff are actively involved in the early implementer health and wellbeing boards, now covering 90% of local authorities. We are particularly keen to hear from these groups during the engagement process about the lessons they have learned so far.
How is the pause likely to affect the overall implementation timetable?
Because of the need to devote time and energy to the current engagement process, there will need to be an adjustment to the timetable for change at national and regional level. As the NHS Chief Executive has made clear, the timetable for the changes to commissioning has always been dependent on whether people are ready to take up the baton.
If consortia are not ready to take on their full commissioning responsibilities in April 2013, alternative arrangements can and will be made. This may involve these responsibilities being carried out by other consortia or by the NHS Commissioning Board.
During the pause, we will not press ahead with the establishment in ‘shadow form’ of the new independent NHS Board or with related changes. Nor will we go ahead with planned changes relating to any of the four areas on which we are engaging.
We will press on with the steps necessary to reduce administration costs this year so that the money can be spent instead on patient care. For example, we will ‘cluster’ primary care trusts into groups in order to save on back office costs. There is no option to reverse this even if we wanted to.
The listening exercise
What is the listening exercise?
The NHS is our most precious national asset. We need change in the NHS because our population is changing, because the cost of treatment is rising, and because we want to have the best health service in the world. We have already made our commitment to the NHS clear as a result of our difficult decision to protect the NHS budget. Our plans to modernise the NHS will give more power to professionals and more control to patients and will make services more local.
We want to take the opportunity presented by a natural break in the legislative process to pause, listen, reflect and improve our plans for modernisation of the health service. To do this, we will listen to the views of patients, clinicians and the public and where appropriate adapt our proposals in light of engagement and discussion. We will hold a series of events, launch the NHS Future Forum to hear from a range of people working right at the frontline, and speak directly to those who lead our NHS. By June, we will decide how to take forward the Bill in a way which reflects what we have heard.
Who can get involved?
Anyone. We want to hear views from patients, their families, the doctors and nurses that keep the NHS running. And we recognise that there are many expert organisations that have views and we want to hear those too. We want to work with you to improve our plans.
How can I get involved?
There will be events running in every part of the country over the next two months. This will give people a chance to get involved – from specific events for NHS staff, to others involved with the NHS, and those already involved in making change. You can also have your say online, and find out more about the engagement process, at www.dh.gov.uk/healthandcare
You say you’re interested in hearing from patients and health professionals, but what about others such as NHS managers? Do you want to hear from them too?
We want to hear from anyone who cares about the future of our NHS.
Is this another consultation?
No. Statutory consultation was undertaken last year. We are taking advantage of the natural break in the passage of the Bill to pause, listen, reflect and improve the plans.
NHS Future Forum
What is the role of the NHS future forum?
The NHS Future Forum will help to drive the engagement process. Its first task is to report the results and suggestions from the listening exercise to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health. It will then continue to work on listening and advising on aspects of the modernisation plans and on implementation.
Who will be on it?
Patient representatives, front-line workers and representatives from local government, communities, the third sector and others from the health field.
How were they selected?
They were selected as a diverse group who can help to drive the engagement process, but they are by no means an exclusive group and will be looking to stakeholders and constituents to help listen!
Are they being paid?
No, they are volunteering their time to help make the NHS fit for the future.
My organisation is not represented on the forum. How will its voice be heard?
The NHS Future Forum is only meant to help drive the process. We are relying on full and active involvement of organisations and individuals from across health, local communities and people who care about the future of the NHS.
Who will lead it?
Dr. Steve Field, GP and former president of the Royal College of GPs will lead the NHS Future Forum.
How and when will they report back?
They will report back to the PM, Deputy PM and Secretary of State for Health in eight weeks. Their conclusions will also be available to the public and stakeholders.
Will government actually take what they say seriously?
The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health have committed to building an NHS that serves us over the coming decades as well as it has since it was founded over 60 years ago. This listening exercise is a big part of making sure that the changes we have to make now are the right ones.
Why is the government using the Future Forum to “listen” for them? They’re still not really engaging with people.
The NHS is only as good as the people who are in it, and the Government takes this very seriously. We have heard concerns and issues emerge as the debate on the Bill has taken place: sometimes misconceptions, but sometimes genuine concerns. So we want to ensure that we continue to listen and engage.
GP pathfinder consortia and health and wellbeing boards
Is there still a role for local authorities and health and wellbeing boards?
Yes. The principles of clinical-led commissioning and of greater involvement of local government are clear. Consortia pathfinders and early implementer health and wellbeing boards should continue to make progress.
As part of the listening exercise, people will be able to suggest strengthening these further; for example around patient and public involvement.
Will this exercise impact on the proposed role of GPs as commissioners of health services?
We are clear that frontline staff should lead the design of local services. GPs are in a strong position to lead this and will need to come together with their colleagues across the NHS to make this work best for patients.
I’m part of GP consortia/health and wellbeing board – does the pause and the listening exercise mean that all the work we’ve done over the past few months was a waste of time?
No. Let’s be clear: this is a pause in the legislation. Everyone who is in the business of driving improvements in the NHS in their local area should keep on doing so. The principles of clinical-led commissioning and of greater involvement of local government are clear and consortia pathfinders and early implementer health and wellbeing boards should continue their work. We are also keen to hear from them as part of the engagement process. Those who are leading the change at local level should be at the heart of the engagement process, helping us to refine and improve our plans.
Does this mean that PCTs are no longer being abolished?
As was announced some time ago, the existing PCTs will be grouped into ‘clusters’ on 1 June. Subject to the passage of the legislation, they will be disbanded altogether by April 2013.
Posted in Business development, Communications and FOI, Featured, General public, Health services, How we make decisions, News, Press release, The services we offer, Trust staff and management, What our priorities are and how we are doing, What we spend and how we spend it, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
Friday, April 15th, 2011
With an extended bank holiday period just around the corner, NHS Birmingham East and North is urging residents to stock up on medicines now.
Many pharmacies will be closed for four days between Good Friday on 22 April and Easter Monday on 25 April this year, the following week sees another public holiday to commemorate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday 29 April and the May Day bank holiday falls on Monday 2 May.
With many pharmacies unavailable, it may be hard for people to get a repeat prescription, so the NHS is asking people to think ahead and stock up on all of their repeat prescription medicines to see them through the bank holiday period. Opening hours for pharmacies will vary over the bank holidays, so people should check their local newspaper for information or visit www.nhs.uk.
Keeping the medicine cabinet and first aid box well stocked will also mean that people can easily treat everyday illnesses and minor injuries, such as tummy upsets, colds, grazes and sprains
A good basic first aid kit should contain painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16) or ibuprofen, indigestion remedies, cough medicine and decongestant tablets or nasal spray. Plasters, in a variety of different sizes and shapes, various sized sterile gauze dressings, triangular and crêpe rolled bandages, antiseptic cream and at least two sterile eye dressings.
Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “With only three normal working days between 22 April and 2 May, some pharmacies in east and north Birmingham will be closed. People who need repeat prescriptions should get them well in advance to make sure that they have the medications they need, and everyone should ensure that they have a well supplied medicine and first aid kit.”
For more information on first aid and what to keep in your medicine cabinet, visit www.nhs.uk.
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North Senior 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 Communications and FOI, General public, News, Pharmacies, Press release, The services we offer | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Pharmacists offer health advice and remedies over the counter for a range of illnesses such as colds and flu, pregnancy testing and minor cuts and injuries. It may be hard to get a repeat prescription over the bank holiday period, so you should also stock up on all of your prescription medicines in advance. Opening hours for pharmacies will vary over the bank holidays, so check your local newspaper for information or visit NHS Local.
If you need health advice, you can contact NHS Direct 24 hours a day on 0845 46 47 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
While all GP practices in east and north Birmingham will be closed on the bank holiday Mondays on 25 April and 2 May, many will be open on the Friday bank holidays and are listed below. GP surgery opening times can be checked at www.nhs.uk. If you feel unwell and your GP surgery is closed, call your surgery reception, which 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 without an appointment or having to be registered with the practice, between 8am and 8pm every day, 365 days a year.
The 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. People can walk-in without needing an appointment. The NHS walk-in centre based on the lower ground floor of Boots on the High Street in Birmingham city centre is open every day over the bank holidays. Use the NHS Choices service search for emergencies and urgent care to find your nearest service.
NHS Birmingham East and North GP surgeries open on the Friday bank holidays
| GP practice |
Open on 22 April 2011 |
Open on 29 April 2011 |
| Dr A Akhtar, Pak Health Centre, 38 Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham B8 1JA |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr MM Alvi, 263 Tile Cross Road, Tile Cross, Birmingham B33 0NA |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr KJ Arora, Kingsdale Surgery, 422-424 Kings Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham B44 0UJ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr JS Bains, Falcon Surgery, 93 Carhampton Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7PG |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr N Bangash, Fernbank Medical Centre, 508-516 Alum Rock Road, Ward End, Birmingham B8 3HX |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr ME Bhatti, Sutton Road Surgery, 122 Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5TJ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr RA Bhatti, Pak Health Centre, 38 Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham B8 1JA |
9.30am – 12.30pm |
9.30am – 12.30pm |
| Dr DS Bhomra, Aylesbury House, Warren Farm Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham B44 0DX |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr AP Blight, Ashfield Surgery, 8 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield B76 1QN |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr R Chopra, 172 Garretts Green Lane, Birmingham B26 2SB |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr SN Clay, The Poplars Surgery, 17 Holly Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9JN |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr SK Dhamija, Lea Village Medical Centre, 98 Lea Village, Kitts Green, Birmingham B33 9SD |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr PM Dudley, Cotmore Surgery, 6 Dyas Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B44 8SF |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr RM Flacks, The Manor Practice, James Preston Health Centre, 61 Holland Road, Sutton Coldfield B72 1RL |
- |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr I Haq, 87 Kempson Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham B36 8LR |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr A Hussain, Pearl Medical Centre, 619/ 621 Washwood Heath Road, Ward End, Birmingham B8 2HB |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr BS Jheeta, The Sheldon Practice, 169-171 Church Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3TT |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr N Khalid, Saltley Health Centre, Cradock Road, Saltley, Birmingham B8 1RZ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr I Khan, 113 Church Lane, Stechford, Birmingham B33 9EJ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr N Khan, Mirfield Surgery, Scholars Gate, Lea Village, Birmingham B33 0DL |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr K Kommalapati, Downsfield Medical Centre, 315 Sheldon Heath Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 2TY |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr RS Kumar, The Oaks Medical Centre, 669 Kings Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B44 9HU |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr S Kumar, Bucklands End Lane Surgery, 36 Bucklands End Lane, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham B34 6BP |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr EJ McQuillan, 30 Bloomsbury Street, Nechells, Birmingham B7 5BT |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr EIJ Moreton, Sutton Park Surgery, 34 Chester Road North, Sutton Coldfield B73 6SP |
9am – 12pm |
- |
| Dr JA Murray, Small Heath Medical Practice, 2 Great Wood Road, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 9QE |
- |
To be confirmed |
| Dr BL Pattni, Yardley Medical Centre, 1222 Coventry Road, Yardley, Birmingham B25 8BY |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr KT Prasad, 9 Twickenham Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham B44 0NN |
9am – 12pm |
- |
| Dr M Prasad, Apollo Surgery, 619 Kings Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B44 9HW |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr PK Sahay, Mirfield Surgery, Scholars Gate, Lea Village, Birmingham B33 0DL |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr BS Sahota, Kingstanding Circle Surg., 26 Rough Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham B44 0UY |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr N Saikia-Varman, 111 Church Lane, Stechford, Birmingham B33 9EJ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr RAS Sangra, 120 Washwood Heath Road, Saltley, Birmingham B8 1RF |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr A Sellarajah, 115 Humberstone Road, Erdington, Birmingham B24 0PY |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr T Sen-Gupta, Acocks Green Medical Centre, 999 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 6QJ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr AU Shah, Khyber Surgery, 38 Havelock Road, Saltley, Birmingham B8 1RT |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr M Shaikh, 32-34 Naseby Road, Saltley, Birmingham B8 3HE |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr SR Sherlaw, Reservoir Road Surgery, 192 Reservoir Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6DJ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr AR Thompson, The Vesey Practice, James Preston Health Centre, 61 Holland Road, Sutton Coldfield B72 1RL |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr A Zaman, Castle Vale Primary Care Centre, 70 Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale, Birmingham B35 7QX |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Oakleaf Medical Practice, 65 Clodeshall Road, Saltley, Birmingham B8 3SG |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
| Dr Saigol, 75-77 Cotterills Lane, Alum Rock Birmingham B8 3RZ |
9am – 12pm |
9am – 12pm |
Posted in Commissioning, Communications and FOI, Community health services, Featured, GPs, General public, News, Pharmacies, Press release, The services we offer | No Comments »
Friday, April 1st, 2011
The NHS has launched a major public consultation on the way children’s congenital heart services should be provided in the future. The NHS is urging everyone with an interest in children’s congenital heart services to take part in the consultation and have their say on these vital services. Full details are on our website: www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/safeandsustainable.
Children’s heart surgery is complex and becoming increasingly specialised. The NHS Safe and Sustainable review aims to improve outcomes for children with congenital heart disease by introducing new national quality standards, developing children’s heart networks and pooling surgical expertise. Safe and Sustainable is proposing four options to reduce the number of hospitals providing children’s heart surgery from 11 to six or seven to improve results for children. The review also proposes that many non-surgical services, such as diagnosis, assessments and ongoing care, are provided closer to families’ homes.
We are consulting on the following key areas
- Standards of care: proposed national quality standards of care to be applied consistently across the country
- Congenital heart networks: development of networks to coordinate care and ensure more local provision (eg assessment, ongoing care)
- Options for fewer surgical centres: to improve outcomes for children’s heart surgery in the future
- Better Monitoring: improvements for analysis and reporting of mortality and morbidity data.
Leslie Hamilton, Immediate Past President for the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice Chairman of the Safe and Sustainable Steering Group said: “This consultation is about improving the quality of care for children with congenital heart disease (CHD). We must concentrate surgical expertise in larger (and therefore fewer) centres to ensure we produce better outcomes for children and ensure services are safe and sustainable for the future. I urge patients and families to respond to the consultation. This is the most important opportunity people will have to directly influence the outcome of the consultation.”
Posted in Children's health, Commissioning, Communications and FOI, Heart conditions, How we make decisions, News, Press release, Public and patient liaison, What our priorities are and how we are doing, What we spend and how we spend it, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
For those concerned with the potential effects of radiation from the disaster in Japan, the Health Protection Agency has issued advice to healthcare workers who may be dealing with people returning from Japan.
The Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) has a helpline: 020 7008 0000 and has also issued advice to travellers on its website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/.
Posted in Communications and FOI, News, Press release | No Comments »
Monday, February 14th, 2011
NHS Birmingham East and North is campaigning to encourage mothers to exercise their rights to feed their babies in public. As well as holding sessions for new and expectant mums, the campaign encourages businesses to become breastfeeding-friendly.
The campaign targets mums and businesses in east and north Birmingham where breastfeeding rates are low. Breastfeeding gives babies the best start in life and can help reduce the number of babies that are admitted to hospital. Mothers who start and continue breastfeeding can improve mother and infant health, and also prevent obesity, diabetes and cancer.
Free and informal sessions are being held at venues across east and north Birmingham to support new mums to:
- Prepare for those first moments together
- Understand what a baby’s needs will be
- Learn all about breastfeeding.
Businesses can show their support by achieving some simple quality standards and becoming a ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Business’.
By implementing these standards, a business can create a welcoming and supportive environment in which breastfeeding women will feel supported and valued.
Download some of the marketing materials below to show your support.
Marketing materials
Download and print the resources below to show your support for our breastfeeding campaign.
| 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: | February 14, 2011 |
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| Platforms: | Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
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| Category: | Communications And Foi |
|---|
| License: | Freeware |
|---|
| Date: | February 14, 2011 |
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Posted in Acocks Green, Breastfeeding, Children, Communications and FOI, Featured, General public, Health improvement, Kingstanding, News, Parents, Pregnant women, Press release, The services we offer, What our priorities are and how we are doing, Women | No Comments »
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
With winter well and truly here, NHS Birmingham East and North is issuing advice on how to stay warm and well during the colder weather.
Cold weather, especially during the winter months, can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes and even pneumonia. Every winter in the UK, 25-30,000 deaths are linked to the cold weather, with the elderly and vulnerable being more at risk.
To help, NHS Birmingham East and North has issued top tips for staying warm this winter. These include wearing plenty of thin layers of clothing, instead of one thick jumper, and helping your body to stay warm by eating a well balanced diet. People should aim to eat at least one hot meal a day and drink plenty of hot drinks throughout the day.
If you do venture outside, dress for winter! Put on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots. Simple exercises, like walking, will get the blood pumping round your body faster and also help make you warmer.
Make sure your home is well insulated. Contact the Warm Front Scheme on freephone 0800 316 2805 for more information and to find out if you are eligible for a grant. When indoors, close any doors to rooms you aren’t using and keep the main rooms you use well heated.
Remember, when it’s freezing temperatures outside, it’s even more important to keep warm inside. If you are worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact your local council, or ring the Age UK helpline free on 0800 00 99 66.
Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “With the colder weather and freezing temperatures on the way, the elderly and vulnerable are at particular risk. There are plenty of services who can offer support and advice, and these simple tips will help people stay warm and healthy in the run up to Christmas and beyond.”
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North Senior 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 General public, Health advice, Health improvement, News, Press release, What our priorities are and how we are doing, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010
While winter’s darker evenings can be a turn-off when it comes to exercising, NHS Birmingham East and North is urging people not to be discouraged.
Exercise has many benefits, including giving you more energy, which will help you get out of your bed on cold, dark mornings. Physical activity also helps to improve your blood circulation and generate heat, so activity will help you keep warm when it’s chilly, your immune system will get a boost, killing germs and viruses, and your mood will be better.
Adults should aim to do a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity at least five times a week, while children should do 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day. For activity to be beneficial, it should make you feel warm and slightly out of breath.
However, if you’re starting a new exercise regime, don’t overdo it. Slowly build the amount of exercise you do. If you can’t manage 30 minutes in one go, break it up into 10 minute chunks. Always warm up for up to 10 minutes before you start. Fit exercise into your lifestyle – walking the dog, doing the housework and even raking up leaves in the garden all count towards your physical activity.
Now might be the time to try something new, such as salsa dancing, swimming, fitness classes or other indoor sports such as badminton or five-a-side football. You don’t even have to stop doing outdoor activities: you could take a long walk at the weekend or go for a bike ride. If being outside when it’s windy, raining or snowing doesn’t appeal, borrow a fitness DVD and try some exercising at home.
If you’re exercising after dark, keep to well-lit areas and wear bright and reflective clothing. Ideally, exercise with a friend, but always tell someone where you’re going. Avoid listening to music while running outdoors as this can make you vulnerable.
Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “Exercise is an essential part of any healthy lifestyle, whatever the season. It’s easy to fit physical activity into your daily routine, and you should do something that you enjoy. However, you should stay safe while exercising during the colder weather. If rain or ice is making exercise dangerous, do it another day. The weather might be better tomorrow, but an injury could take weeks to heal.”
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North Senior 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 General public, Health advice, Health improvement, News, Press release, What our priorities are and how we are doing, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
With days getting shorter, and the pressure of Christmas shopping weighing on your mind, winter can leave you feeling stressed and down.
Winter depression (seasonal affective disorder or SAD) is thought to affect up to one in 15 Brits every year between the months of September and April.
Now NHS Birmingham East and North is offering advice to help melt those winter blues. This includes starting your New Year’s resolutions early by cutting back on alcohol and tobacco. Although they make you feel good in the short term, their longer term effects can make you feel more down. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables can improve mental health and make you feel better.
People should also sleep well, aiming for eight hours shut-eye every night. Not only will you feel the benefits, but your skin will see them too. Going for a walk or other forms of physical activity can also help you keep mentally well. Half an hour’s brisk walk, every other day can help make all the difference.
Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “Many people in east and north Birmingham experience a milder form of SAD, known as the winter blues. These simple tips will help people stay physically and mentally well in the run up to Christmas and beyond.”
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, please contact Sarah Millard, NHS Birmingham East and North Senior 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 General public, Health advice, Health improvement, Mental health, News, Press release, What our priorities are and how we are doing, Who we are and what we do | No Comments »
