Posts Tagged ‘ccg’
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group backs Dying Matters campaign
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is backing a national campaign which aims to encourage people to talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement.
The campaign known as ‘Dying Matters Week’ will run from 13 to 19 May and this year’s theme is ‘Are We Ready?’ which is a question that challenges people to consider if they are ready for their own death, or the deaths of those they care about.
The scheme also looks to encourage people to talk about their needs towards the end of their lives, including where they want to die and discuss funeral plans with friends, family and loved ones.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Governing Body GP, Dr Jenni Lawrence, said: “Talking more openly about death can have a huge impact on the future of services available to patients and their families; we want people to have as much control as possible over how and where they die.
“Planning for death can obviously be very emotional and daunting which is why a lot of people don’t take care of the practical aspects such as wills, funeral planning, organ donation and potential future care for their families.
“This campaign is all about working together to make sure people get the right support when it comes to death, whether it is helping people plan for the end of their life or supporting carers, friends or family.””
The campaign can also be supported through volunteering at local hospices, supporting local bereavement charities or even hosting local community events to spread the word about ‘Dying Matters Week’.
You can find out more on the campaign and how to get involved on the Dying Matters website: https://www.dyingmatters.org/blog/dying-matters-2019-theme-are-we-ready
Dying Matters also has an events map on their website so you can see what is happening locally and wider, which you can view at: https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/map-awareness-week-events-2019
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG also has an entire section about End of Life Care on our website: at www.northyorkshireccg.nhs.uk/your-health/end-of-life-care/
Read MoreWork continues to improve mental health services for new and expectant mums
Published on Mar 7, 2019
Mental health services for new and expectant mums in Scarborough and Ryedale and other parts of the Humber and Yorkshire region are continuing to be developed courtesy of NHS funding worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Having secured a share of a £23 million nationwide investment announced by NHS England in 2018, the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership – a collaboration of 28 health and social care organisations – is working to deliver specialist community perinatal mental health services in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Scarborough and Ryedale, and the Vale of York.
The funding is part of a £365 million plan by NHS England to ensure 30,000 more women in all areas of England can access specialist perinatal services by 2021.
Perinatal mental health problems are those which occur during pregnancy or during the first year following the birth of a child. Perinatal mental illness affects one in five (20%) women, and covers a wide range of conditions. If left untreated, it can have significant and long lasting effects on the woman and her family.
Examples of perinatal mental health conditions include:
Moderate to severe postnatal depression
Anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder
Eating disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Severe mental illnesses including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar affective disorder
Postpartum psychosis
Severe self-harm
Suicidal thoughts
Late last year, pre-existing perinatal services began to be developed further, while new ones were created to ensure women in all parts of the Humber, Coast and Vale area who experience complex mental health needs have access to treatments and support as early as possible. Providing support for families and signposting to relevant services has also been part of the service improvements.
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has strengthened its already established specialist community perinatal mental health services in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. The Trust is also working with NAViGO and Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust to introduce a new service in North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is also introducing new specialist community perinatal mental health services across the Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale.
Michele Moran, Chair of the Humber, Coast and Vale Mental Health Partnership Board and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, said: “So many new and expectant mothers experience mental health problems and we’re proud to work with our partners to extend the perinatal service into underserved areas and hopefully help hundreds of women and their families.”
Michelle Thompson, Perinatal Mental Health Lead for the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership and Assistant Director for Women’s and Children’s Services for North East Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Having a baby is a major life event for mums and dads, and it’s natural to experience a whole range of emotions and reactions during and after pregnancy.
“But if these problems start to have a big impact on day to day life, it might be a sign of a mental health problem and this service will provide some much needed specialist support for local families who are experiencing difficulties during or after the birth of their child.”
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about might be experiencing perinatal mental health problems you can speak to health professionals involved in your care, such as your GP, midwife or health visitor, who will be able to offer support and refer you to an appropriate service.
For more information, please visit the following websites:
For Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire patients: https://www.humber.nhs.uk/services/perinatal-mental-health.htm
For Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale patients: https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/north-yorkshire-and-york-perinatal-mental-health-service/
Read MoreCommunity equipment amnesty launched across North Yorkshire
Published on Feb 19, 2019
Local NHS and social care leaders are calling on people across North Yorkshire and York to return loaned equipment like walking frames, crutches, beds, mattresses and hoists when no longer needed.
Last year the NHS launched a national so-called “crutch amnesty” to deal with concerns that perfectly good medical equipment is going to waste. It’s thought that for every 50 pairs of crutches issued through the NHS, only 10 pairs are returned. With a pair of crutches typically costing around £12.50, the annual bill for crutches in the NHS is estimated to be around £3 million.
This is also costing the local health service tens of thousands of pounds – money that could be invested elsewhere.
On behalf of the NHS clinical commissioning groups in North Yorkshire and York (including NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG), Dr Charles Parker, Clinical Chair of NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We’re calling on people to return, recycle or request collection of unwanted equipment so it can be used again by someone else in need.
“It’s vital we manage local NHS resources and budgets responsibly and reducing waste plays a big part in that.”
Councillor Michael Harrison, Executive Member for Adult Services and Health Integration for North Yorkshire County Council said: “Health and social care equipment includes a range of products to assist independent living at home, including mobility and communication aids, shower chairs, perching stools, walking aids and pressure relieving mattresses/cushions.
“A lot of this equipment never finds its way back to the provider when it’s surplus to requirements. It’s quite likely it’s just been put in the garage or in the cupboard under the stairs and forgotten about once it’s served its purpose.”
Michaela Harris, Business Support Manager from Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd (Medequip) which provides the service said: “If our customers have equipment they no longer need, they can simply get in touch with us and we’ll pick the equipment up for free – just ring 01423 226240 or email north.yorks@medequip-uk.com.
“Alternatively, surplus equipment can be returned to one of Medequip’s depot drop-off points in Scarborough or Knaresborough, or deposit it in one of three amnesty bins. There are currently two at York Hospital and one at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton. We’re looking at increasing the number of these bins across other North Yorkshire and York locations.”
Read MoreNew website to help people in Scarborough and Ryedale self-refer for mental health therapies
Published on Feb 6, 2019
North Yorkshire improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) service, which offers talking therapies treatments, has launched a new website to make it easier for people to access help and support.
This includes an option to self-refer online without having to go through a GP.
The Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) service helps people who are experiencing common mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
The new website provides a wealth of information about the support and services available, as well as an option for anyone registered with a GP in North Yorkshire to self-refer online, with a series of questions designed to help determine if the service is suitable.
One in four people are thought to experience mental ill health at some point in their lives. Problems with low mood and anxiety can develop and make it difficult to cope with life’s daily demands. Significant events like unemployment, relationship breakdown, traumatic events or even stress at work can sometimes lead to difficulties which require help and support.
IAPT is a national NHS programme to increase the availability of talking therapy treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to treat anxiety and depression. It aims to use the least intrusive method of care possible to treat and support people, such as guided self-help over the phone or face-to-face, psycho educational courses or computerised / face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy.
Andy Wright, TEWV IAPT service manager, said: “The new IAPT website will allow people to easily find out more about the service, the support available and treatment options, as well as providing access to a range of convenient and simple online self-help resources for those receiving support through the service.
“It will also allow people to self-refer directly, through a quick online form, which will take people through a series of helpful questions to determine whether the service is right for them. If the service is deemed suitable they would then be offered an initial assessment over the phone, after which they will be directed to the most appropriate treatment option for their needs.”
People can also make an appointment with their GP, who will be able to discuss options and if appropriate make a referral to IAPT or a suitable alternative.
Speaking on behalf of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG and NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, mental health lead, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “The effects of depression and anxiety can be debilitating and brutal. However, we are now living in a society where there is much less stigma attached to mental health difficulties and people feel more able to talk about how they are feeling.”
Dr Billingsley, who’s a Scarborough GP and Associate Chair of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, added: “The new North Yorkshire IAPT website is a brilliant tool; it’s very easy to use and crucially, it’s straightforward for patients to refer themselves to the IAPT service, if they wish, without having to go through a GP first.”
The site can be accessed at www.northyorkshireiapt.co.uk
The IAPT service is not a crisis or urgent response service for people who are severely unwell. You should always dial 999 in a medical emergency or call NHS 111 for any urgent concerns. You can also find details about what to do in a mental health crisis on the TEWV website by visiting www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/crisisadvice/.
Read MoreNHS leaders call on patients with norovirus to stay away from hospital
Published on Feb 1, 2019
The local NHS in Scarborough and Ryedale is calling on residents and communities for help to prevent the spread of norovirus.
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has taken the unusual step of restricting visiting to York Hospital “for the safety of patients and staff” after an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug and the closure of wards.
Norovirus is also affecting several wards at Scarborough and Bridlington Hospitals, with people urged to think twice before visiting loved ones.
Anyone who thinks they may have flu or norovirus is advised not to visit a GP surgery, but to stay at home and call NHS 111 for advice if necessary.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Associate Chair, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “When we have loved ones who are poorly and in hospital, it’s natural we want to be with them, even if we’re feeling under the weather ourselves. However, norovirus is particularly contagious and the risk of passing these infections on to the person you are visiting in hospital who may already be quite ill – as well as other sick people and hospital staff – is extremely high.”
Beverley Geary, Chief Nurse at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “Over the past few weeks we have experienced a high level of norovirus at York Hospital which has resulted in the closure of wards in order to stop the spread, which means we have reduced bed capacity. Closing wards can help to contain the virus but visitors play a huge part in preventing the continued spread of the infection.
“The safety of our patients is our top priority. While we recognise the importance of having people visit when you are in hospital, we now need to introduce these measures in order to protect our patients, as well as keeping our staff safe, well and able to come into work.”
Norovirus is the most common stomach bug in the UK. Like the flu, it spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and care homes. It can be spread through contact with an infected person, by contact with contaminated surfaces or by consuming contaminated food or water.
Typical symptoms of a norovirus infection include the sudden onset of projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people also experience headaches, mild temperature and stomach cramps.
There is no treatment for norovirus but it is important people who have the winter vomiting bug keep hydrated to combat the loss of fluids. People with norovirus will recover in a day or two, but will remain infectious for up to three days after recovery.
There are simple steps people can take to reduce the risk of spreading norovirus:-
Thorough hand washing – wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry
Don’t prepare food while infected
Immediately clean and disinfect surfaces after episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting
Wash clothes and bed linen that may be contaminated thoroughly
Drink plenty of fluids – stay away from caffeine and pay particular attention to the young and elderly for signs of dehydration
For more information please visit www.nhs.uk/norovirus
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