News and events
-
Annual General Meetings
September 16th, 2011The four primary care trusts (PCTs) in Birmingham and Solihull will be holding their Annual General Meetings (AGM) later this month. Patients, the public and community leaders from across the area are invited to attend.
The events take place on the following:
- NHS South Birmingham: Wednesday 21 September, 4.30pm, at The Hub, 318 Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7NH
- Heart of Birmingham teaching Primary Care Trust: Thursday 22 September, 5.30 – 6.30pm, in Room CR1, Bartholomew House, 142 Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 9PA
- NHS Birmingham East and North: Wednesday 28 September, 3 – 4pm, in the Boardroom, Waterlinks House, Richard Street, Birmingham B7 4AA
- Solihull Primary Care Trust: Wednesday 28 September, 1.30 – 2pm, at Friars Gate, 1011 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN
Each meeting will include a Chairman’s Review, a financial review, a look at the health of each of the PCT’s populations and an address from the Chief Executive, including the launch of the organisation’s annual reports
For an agenda, click here (insert link) or for more information, please contact Sarah Millard on sarahmillard@nhs.net.
-
Women in Birmingham challenged to have three booze free days a week
September 6th, 2011PRESS RELEASE: 5th September 2011
The Birmingham Drug & Alcohol Action Team is encouraging women to have at least three alcohol-free days every week by signing up to the ‘3 Days Booze Free’ challenge.
The ‘3 Days Booze Free’ challenge is part of a drive to reduce the number of women aged 35 to 55 being admitted to hospital due to the effects of long-term excessive drinking. Recent research shows that drinking every day, even in small amounts, can significantly increase the risk of liver disease.
The challenge kicks off this week with on-street staff signing people up over the course of the week at various locations around the city. It lasts for three months, meaning that by signing up now, women can complete the challenge before enjoying the Christmas season. However, they may want to pick it up again in January for a New Year’s detox!
On signing up, women will receive a ‘Challenge Pack’ containing the tools they need to succeed, including tips on how to enjoy an evening without booze and a chart where they can mark their progress. Women are being encouraged to sign up in groups and to challenge their friends or workmates to join them.
The street teams will be easily identifiable and they will be running stands across the city where people can sign up to the challenge.
The street teams will be available at the following locations:
- Monday 5 September – Co-op, Stirchley, 2.00pm – 6.00pm
- Tuesday 6 September – Asda, Bordsely Green, 2.00pm – 6.00pm
- Wednesday 7 September – Kingstanding Circle, Kingstanding, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
- Thursday 8 September – The Parade, Sutton Coldfield, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
- Friday 9 September – Tesco’s, Hall Green, 2.00pm – 6.00pm
A website, www.3daysboozefree.co.uk, has been set up to support the challenge, containing mocktail recipes, a great alternative to an alcoholic drink on your booze free days, along with other helpful hints and tips.
Max Vaughan, Lead Commissioner for Birmingham Alcohol Treatment Services, said, “The 3 day challenge is designed to give your liver the time off it needs. Having three days every week without alcohol will significantly reduce the risk of serious harm that alcohol can have on your health. You can expect to feel fitter and look better too.
“However, to enjoy the health benefits, people should still try to stay within the daily limits recommended by the government – three units for men and two for women.”
If you want to take on the challenge text ‘DRINK’ and your address to 81156 to receive your free 3 days booze free challenge pack.
If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking then contact Birmingham help and support services on 0800 073 0817.
Ends
Enquiries
For more information, contact Christie Galloway, Communications Officer on 0121 465 4942 or email christie.galloway@nhs.net
Notes for editors
You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to the following locations to see the street teams in action:- Monday 5 September – Co-op, Stirchley, 2.00pm – 6.00pm
- Tuesday 6 September – Asda, Bordsely Green, 2.00pm – 6.00pm
- Wednesday 7 September – Kingstanding Circle, Kingstanding, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
- Thursday 8 September – The Parade, Sutton Coldfield, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
- Friday 9 September – Tesco’s, Hall Green, 2.00pm – 6.00pm
About Dr Foster
Dr Foster was first launched to the public in January 2001 with publication of the Hospital Guide. Since then, Dr Foster has published a series of guides detailing the availability and standards of local health services. The Hospital guide is now an annual publication which has done much to catalyze improvement in the NHS.In 2006 Dr Foster Intelligence was launched as a public-private partnership that aims to improve the quality and efficiency of health and social care through better use of information. The partnership is in the form of a 50:50 joint venture with the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.
One of Dr Foster Intelligence’s key objectives is to promote the development of an information culture in the NHS by providing appropriate information and analysis to clinicians and managers in order to help them deliver the best quality healthcare.
In 2007 we were proud to win the Laing & Buisson award for innovation and in 2008 we won the HealthInvestor award for outstanding contribution to healthcare.
-
GP practices in east and north Birmingham named as pathfinder consortia
July 5th, 2011Three 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.
-
Put your views on the next steps for the NHS
May 3rd, 2011The 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:
- Attend an event – there will be various events across the country for all stakeholder groups during April and May.
- Post your views on the website at http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/
- Download a feedback form from the website and send it to nhsfutureforum@dh.gsi.gov.uk
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.
-
Get your prescriptions before the Bank Holiday
April 15th, 2011With 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.
EndsEnquiries
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.
-
Where to go for healthcare over Spring bank holidays
April 6th, 2011Pharmacists 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 -
NHS urges people to have their say on future of children’s congenital heart services
April 1st, 2011The 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.”
-
Disaster in Japan: Health advice
March 17th, 2011For 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/.
-
Give your baby the best start in life
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.
-
Stay warm and well this winter
December 9th, 2010With 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.”
EndsEnquiries
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.
