GP advice on how to stay well this winter

Published on Nov 27, 2018

With winter just around the corner, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG are advising local residents on the best ways to stay well during the cold weather.

There are a number of effects the winter can have, and they are not just physical, the colder weather and shorter days can also affect your mental health.

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, Governing Body member and Local GP, Dr Peter Billingsly has a lot useful tips to help you stay well this winter.

Be aware of norovirus

‘Norovirus outbreaks are more common this time of year, there is no specific treatment for norovirus, but you can take steps to ease your symptoms. If you’ve got sickness and diarrhoea, stay hydrated.

‘Don’t see your GP unless symptoms persist more than a few days, the best ways to avoid catching norovirus is wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. Last but not least, norovirus can leave you contagious 48 hours after the symptoms go, so please avoid hospitals and care homes.’

Get your flu vaccination

‘The best way to stay protected against the flu is to get the vaccination, the jab is free for pregnant women, over 65s and those with underlying health conditions. If you have a child ages 2 – 3 they are entitled to a free flu nasal spray to keep them protected.

‘If you are experiencing flu like symptoms, please seek advice from your pharmacist before it gets more serious. If you want to book a vaccination please contact your GP practice.’

Use the right service

‘If it is not an emergency, you can get medical advice 24/7 by using the NHS 111 service, they have trained medical professionals available who can direct you to the most appropriate medical care.

‘If you want to speak to someone face to face you don’t always have to wait for an appointment with your doctor. Your local pharmacy can provide clinical advice for minor health conditions common over the winter period such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.’

Keep a stock of useful medicines

‘It is important to keep a stock of over the counter medicines in your home over the Christmas period as your local surgery or pharmacy may not be open.

‘These remedies could include basic painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol, cough syrup and antacids that are all available at your local supermarket.’

Look out for yourself and others

‘The colder weather and shorter days can affect your mental health, get out in the sunshine if you can, even short bursts can improve your mental wellbeing.

‘Older neighbours and relatives are more vulnerable in the winter months and may need a bit of extra help to stay well, make sure you keep in touch and check in on them when you can.’

There is further advice on self-care here, you can also find details of GP and pharmacy opening times over the winter season here.

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Single accountable officer appointed for three North Yorkshire CCGs

Published on Nov 22, 2018

A single accountable officer has been appointed to oversee a shared leadership team across three North Yorkshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

The current Chief Officer of Harrogate and Rural District CCG, Amanda Bloor, has been appointed to the post by NHS England’s Chief Executive, Simon Stevens and will commence her new role on 1 December 2018.

In September this year, all three CCG Governing Bodies voted to introduce a shared senior leadership team across NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG.

Each CCG will remain a separate statutory organisation responsible for the purchasing and planning of the vast majority of health services across their area.

Dr Charles Parker, Clinical Chair, NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG said: “It is imperative that organisations across the NHS landscape think creatively about how we can ensure every pound spent is spent well. This new approach will help us deliver more sustainably by allowing us to think across the health care system, while retaining our responsiveness to local need.”

Dr Phil Garnett, Clinical Chair, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, said: “We are seeing more and more examples of local health and care organisations coming together to work across organisational boundaries to deliver more integrated models of care and treatment.

“With a growing and aging population exerting greater pressure on finite NHS resources, it seems entirely sensible for CCGs to work more closely together, to bring together assets and capabilities to improve care and patient outcomes in a way that demonstrates wise stewardship of taxpayers’ money at the same time.”

Dr Alistair Ingram, Clinical Chair, NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG “This new approach will allow us to have the best of both worlds – the system benefits of thinking at scale, while still delivering clinically led services which respond to local need. We will ensure we retain the benefit of local commissioning but with a system-wide perspective.”

Amanda Bloor said: “A shared team across the three North Yorkshire CCGs will enable collaboration and work at scale when it is appropriate while ensuring local needs remain at the heart of each CCG’s activities. While there will be a single leadership team a strong local focus and clinical leadership will continue to underpin our work.

“I am looking forward to developing new relationships and building on old while we collectively continue to ensure quality healthcare services that meet the needs of our population across North Yorkshire.”

Once officially in post after 1 December 2018, a single senior management team will be established that fits the needs of the three CCGs and their local populations.

A group representing all three CCG Governing Bodies will also be set up.

Simon Cox, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Chief Officer and Janet Probert, NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG Chief Officer, will remain in their current roles for a few more weeks to ensure there is a smooth transition

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Prospect Road flu clinic

Published on Nov 16, 2018

On Saturday 10 November over 1000 patients were vaccinated at the flu clinic held at Central Healthcare’s Prospect Road Surgery site. This brings the number of patients vaccinated to date by Central to around 6000.

Business Development Manager at Central Healthcare, Lesley Clemmet, said: ‘We were overwhelmed with the response from patients and are very happy to see so many patients getting vaccinated.’

“I would like to thank every patient that attended the clinic for their patience on the day. The number of patients that attended the walk in clinic was unprecedented and it’s great to see so many eligible patients taking up the free vaccination early in the flu season to protect themselves and people around them.

Anyone that felt unable to wait longer than they had planned for on Saturday and missed out on being vaccinated is still able to receive a vaccination in any of the dedicated clinics being held through the week, or when attending routine appointments at their branch surgery.”

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Services to be shared between Peasholm and Prospect Road Surgeries

Published on Oct 19, 2018

From Monday 12 November some services for Peasholm patients will be relocated to Prospect Road branch. The changes will not amount to any reduction in services.

The two surgeries are part of the Central Healthcare group which formed in July.

Peasholm branch will be open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and will be providing pre-bookable appointments with nurses and GPs, while Prospect Road branch host on-the-day the day appointments as well as a late opening service until 8pm.

Development Manager at Central Healthcare, Lesley Clemmet, said: “It is important to stress to patients that there is not a reduction in any of the services they usually access, but we will be delivering them differently across the two sites.

“It is hoped that joining the services across both branches will enable us to deliver a better overall service to our patients. We have recently recruited six new nursing staff to help with appointment access.”

With a bigger team of GPs and nurses located at Prospect Road delivering on-the-day care, it will increase staff peer support and training opportunities.

Prospect Road surgery also offers level access for all patients; the overall plan is to change the Peasholm branch to a pre-planned care centre due to the less than ideal accessibility for patients at this site.

The current Peasholm team will be working across both sites so patients will still see familiar faces when they go for appointments.

For further information on these shared services, you can still contact the surgeries on their usual numbers: Peasholm (01723) 361268 and Prospect Road (01723) 360178.

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