Archive for the ‘Health services’ 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 »
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
A public meeting to discuss plans to improve local maternity services has been cancelled tonight, due to bad weather.
The meeting, which was scheduled to start at 5pm at Mere Green Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield was part of the formal consultation on maternity services launched last month by Solihull NHS Care Trust and NHS Birmingham East and North.
The consultation document is available online at www.maternityconsultation.co.uk or in printed form from the Patient Advice and Liaison Services Freephone telephone 0800 783 2894 or email palsbenpct@nhs.net.
Ways in which people can share their views on the consultation are outlined at www.maternityconsultation.co.uk although if any individuals or groups have any wider requirements they are advised to contact Tahirah Khan on 0121 380 9115 or email tahirah.khan@benpct.nhs.uk.
Posted in Communications and FOI, Consultation, General public, How we make decisions, Maternity services, News, Press release, Public and patient liaison, Sutton Four Oaks, Sutton New Hall, Sutton Trinity, Sutton Vesey | No Comments »
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 »
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
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 »
Friday, October 15th, 2010
Note: this consultation is now closed
Plans for improving local maternity services are going out for public consultation on Monday 18 October.
The aim is to give local people a say in how care for mothers and babies is provided from before pregnancy to care after the birth.
Solihull NHS Care Trust and NHS Birmingham East and North have seen the review of maternity services across their areas as an opportunity to radically reshape and modernise maternity care provided for women and their families, especially for those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged.
After listening to the views of clinicians, including doctors and midwives, and local mothers and pregnant women, they have drawn up proposals and now want to know what local people think about them. A consultation document and supporting information will be available online at www.maternityconsultation.co.uk, or printed copies are available from the Patient Advice and Liaison Services free on 0800 783 2894 and pals@solihull-ct.nhs.uk or palsbenpct@nhs.net.
At the heart of the consultation is an option for care during childbirth which would see a midwife-led birth centre permanently provided at Solihull Hospital and women having a wider choice of where and how to give birth.
Solihull NHS Care Trust’s Medical Director, Dr Patrick Brooke, said: “This review provides us with a huge opportunity to improve the care that we offer women to make it more supportive, as well as a larger focus on prevention and early identification of potential problems resulting in a safer, higher quality service overall.
“Our vision is that women will be supported from before they conceive until after mother and baby no longer need support. Supporting mothers along their whole journey to parenthood and keeping them healthy will have a huge impact on the future health of mother, child and family. We want to ensure that the maternity services we offer are proactive, supportive, safe and of high quality.”
Dr Mike Caley, Public Health Registrar for NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “We have looked carefully at the whole pregnancy pathway and we have the opportunity here to make real changes to the health of our population. The whole package – from the prevention of unwanted pregnancies to supporting mothers and father after the birth of their baby – has the potential to deliver far reaching improvements to health.”
The consultation period closes on 24 January 2011. People can learn more about the trusts’ plans for maternity services and have their say at a series of public meetings. The first meeting is on Wednesday 3 November at 2pm at the Fordbridge Centre in Nineacres Drive, Chelmsley Wood, when Dr Brooke and Dr Caley will give details, answer questions and take note of opinions.
Further meetings will be held in November and December as follows:
- Castle Vale Library, Spitfire House, 10 High Street, Castle Vale, Birmingham, and Solihull Methodist Church Hall, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, both on Tuesday 9 November at 1pm
- Shirley Methodist Church Hall, 257 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, on Monday 15 November at 7pm
- St. Paul’s Centre, 405b Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green, Birmingham on Wednesday 17 November at 5.30pm
- Mere Green Community Centre, 30A Mere Green Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, on Wednesday 1 December 1 at 5pm.
Ends
Enquiries
For more information please contact Anna Shaw at NHS Birmingham East and North on 0121 380 9103 or Jill Ford or Janet Mee at Solihull NHS Care Trust on 0121 713 8778.
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, Featured, General public, How we make decisions, Maternity services, News, Parents, Pregnant women, Press release, Public and patient liaison, What our priorities are and how we are doing | No Comments »
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
Expectant mums in Birmingham are being invited to learn more about giving their babies a healthy start to life with a series of sessions in the east and north of the city.
As part of their antenatal care, mums-to-be and their partners can go along to the sessions at Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk-in Centre, at 196 High Street, Erdington, on the first Wednesday of every month from 9.30am – 12noon. Expectant mothers in Washwood Heath can drop in to the workshops at Anthony Road Children’s Centre in Alum Rock on the third Wednesday of the month, also from 9.30am – 12noon.
The workshops will help parents think about feeding choices, learn about bonding through feeding and meeting baby’s needs, and find out how to tell feeding is going well.
Jewant Singh, Breastfeeding Co-ordinator at NHS Birmingham East and North, said: “Our friendly antenatal sessions are all about getting new born babies off to the best start in life by meeting their needs, as well as giving women the chance to meet other mums and make new friends. Mums are free to bring dad, grandma, or a friend along too!”
For more information, call Jewant Singh on 0121 380 9270.
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 Adults, Erdington, General public, Health improvement, Maternity services, News, Parents, Pregnant women, Press release, The services we offer, Washwood Heath, Women | No Comments »
