Campaigners, including key figures from NHS Norfolk and Waveney, Norfolk Community Health and Care and Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards team, have been out on the streets talking to people in Kings Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth about the impact which illegal tobacco can have on communities. More than 1,000 Norfolk people have now pledged their support to the campaign, with the figure for the eastern region standing at nearly 8,000.

Dr Jenny Harries, joint director of public health at NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “The campaign has received a fantastic response from the people of Norfolk so far and this is just the start. With a number of local organisations now involved and more and more people, businesses and retailers pledging their support every day, we hope the drive to keep illegal tobacco out of Norfolk will continue to grow.”

Maureen Cleall, of Norfolk Trading Standards, said: “The people of Norfolk have been really engaged with the campaign - showing support and asking more about the consequences of illegal tobacco being a problem in their area. Getting out there and talking to people about the real impact of using illegal tobacco is an important part of our campaign.”

Over a third people in Norfolk have been offered illegal tobacco and one in 10 admit to buying it.

”It is really important for people to realise that buying illegal tobacco doesn’t only impact on them individually - it makes it easier for children to smoke, brings crime into our communities and undermines our legitimate businesses,” said Christine Harvey, regional tobacco policy manager for the East of England.

People can find out more about the campaign and pledge their support by logging onto the campaign website at www.no-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.

East Coast Community Healthcare CIC (ECCH) has worked with NHS Norfolk and Waveney to complete a £200,000 project to update and upgrade the prison’s healthcare facilities, which has included the reuse of the modular building.

Some of the existing walls in the prison’s 1960s health centre have also been knocked down and the space reconfigured to provide more rooms and better access for those with disabilities. A large waiting room has been split into two separate spaces and the whole area repainted.

As well as providing more space, the revamp has also improved the clinical environment, in turn helping the prison meet the NHS’s stringent infection control guidelines.

Phil Love, prison healthcare manager for ECCH, said: "This project will have a significant impact on healthcare facilities at HMP Blundeston by helping us meet infection control standards while offering patients better quality healthcare in more appropriate surroundings.

"As well as giving us more space by recycling a building which has been used elsewhere, the project has also given us the chance to improve disability access so that we can better cater for our ageing population."

Andy Peck, strategic estates, facilities and risk lead with NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: "Relocating the modular unit to Blundeston has not only given the building a second lease of life, but has also helped us create more appropriate clinical facilities from which ECCH can deliver healthcare services.

"Our thanks go to Phil and his team, whose efforts helped ensure services were maintained while the work took place."
David Bamford, HMP Blundeston governor, said: "This improvement in facilities is a great leap forward for us and will enable us to deliver high quality clinical care for offenders. This in turn helps to deliver a decency agenda which contributes significantly to reducing re-offending."

People who need help to travel to hospital appointments will be able to access the area’s non-emergency patient transport service through a new phone number from Monday 26 September.

The new number – 01493 453777 – should be used by people who have a medical condition which means they are unable to travel to their appointment in any other way. A range of different vehicles are used to provide the service, along with trained staff who can offer support throughout the journey.

Anyone ringing the service will be assessed for their suitability and should have details of their appointment, hospital number, NHS number and GP address to hand when they call. The service should be booked two weeks in advance, and is available for appointments at:

Ipswich HospitalJames Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNorfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (including outreach clinics)Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership clinicsNorfolk Community Health and Care clinics
The non-emergency patient transport service is available on 01493 453777 between 8.30am and 5pm on Mondays to Fridays.

Health bosses have urged families to follow simple steps to help keep them fit and healthy at the start of national childhood obesity week.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is encouraging parents and their children to use the awareness week as a springboard to kickstart a healthier life by following tips such as:

1. Put aside some time each week to do something active as a family
2. Note down how much time you and your child spend watching TV and playing computer games and aim to reduce it by 10 minutes each day
3. Try lots of different activities as a family until you find one which you really enjoy – you’ll be more likely to stick to it
4. Change from white bread and pasta to wholegrain, which will help you feel fuller for longer
5. Encourage the whole family to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
6. Sit down as a family and eat dinner together
7. Involve your children in helping to cook healthy, nutritious meals

National childhood obesity week has been organised by children’s healthy lifestyle programme MEND (which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) and the National Obesity Forum. Running until Sunday (10 July), it coincides with MEND’s “move it” week, with aims to get families more active while raising awareness of the health dangers of being overweight.

Sarah Barnes, heath improvement manager with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Making sure your child is a healthy weight can be difficult – but small changes really can make a big difference.

“It doesn’t have to be complicated – why not try switching from white to wholemeal bread, or spending more time being active as a family? They’re really good places to start.

“At NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, we have a number of initiatives in place to encourage healthy eating and exercise, all of which are free and can make a real difference. These include the ten-week MEND programme, which takes place at a variety of locations across the area.

“We would encourage any parents who would like to find out more about the programme on behalf of their children to get in touch on 01493 852207 or visit www.mendcentral.org”

Organisers are now looking for people to take part in the next MEND course, which has been funded by NHS GYW and takes place in September. Open to children aged between seven and 13, the free 10-week after school programme aims to help local families get fitter, healthier and happier by teaching them about nutrition and ways to stay active.

It will take place twice a week at Fitness 2000 in Southtown Road, Great Yarmouth and Roman Hill Primary School in Love Road, Lowestoft. To find out more or sign up, call 01493 852207.

For more information about “move it” week, visit www.mendcentral.org/moveitweek

People in vulnerable groups from across Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been urged to protect themselves against flu by getting their vaccination.

Anyone in an ‘at risk’ group, which includes pregnant women and those aged 65 and over, is eligible for a free jab. Medics are also recommending that people with underlying medical problems, for example diabetes, lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, should get vaccinated to receive protection against seasonal flu.

In addition, people who had the vaccination last year will need to arrange to have a new seasonal flu jab because the virus changes every year and the vaccine needs to match the latest version of the virus.

Dr Jamie Wyllie, Medical Director at NHS GYW, said: “Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious illness or even death. Anyone can get the illness, but some groups are more vulnerable than others, including pregnant women and people aged over 65, and those with a chronic illness.

“We would urge anyone in an ‘at risk’ group to contact their GP or practice nurse as soon as possible and arrange to have their seasonal flu vaccination. Within five to ten days, they will then develop immunity which will protect them against this year’s strains which includes protection against swine flu.”

You should have the seasonal flu vaccination if you:

• are aged 65 or over

• are pregnant

• live in a residential or nursing home, or

• are the main carer for an older or disabled person

• or if you have a chronic illness such as:

• heart disease

• a chest complaint or breathing difficulties including bronchitis, asthma and emphysema;

• kidney or liver disease;

• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as cancer treatment)

• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

• diabetes

• a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy

• a problem with, or removal of, your spleen.

Dr Wyllie added: “Everyone can play their part in helping to prevent the spread of this illness by practising good respiratory and hand hygiene, covering their nose and mouth when sneezing, putting tissues in the bin and washing their hands regularly.”

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should stay at home, drink plenty of water and take paracetamol rather than visiting their GP or local A&E department. Advice on when to seek medical help is available from NHS Direct, on 0845 4647 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

This follows extensive review of the care provided for people in the last days of the lives using the Marie Curie Delivering Choice programme.

The three main areas for development include; more education and training for nurses and carers involved in giving end of life care for patients, a resource and outreach service and specialist palliative care inpatient beds.

Maggie Parsons, Cancer and End of Life Clinical Development Lead for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney said. “We are delighted there will be investment and improvement in these essential services. It is vital we work closely with local hospitals, patient groups and charities to roll out these services in the New Year”.

She added: “We will appoint a specialist nurse trainer who will be dedicated to training our district nursing teams to provide high standards of end of life care for patients - these patients will be cared for in their chosen place of care - be it their own homes, a nursing home or in one of our community hospitals.

The nurse trainer will work alongside Dr Jane Kaytar, Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Macmillan GP Facilitator.

Dr Kaytar is working closely with GPs across the area to ensure all their patients at the end of their lives receive the nationally acclaimed ‘Gold Standard Framework’ for end of life care”.

Further service development work includes creating a resource and outreach service to provide support for patients who are at the end of their lives as well as advice and support for their families and carers. This service will be achieved by working jointly with patient support groups, charities and local hospitals.

There will also be funding for specialist palliative care inpatient beds services - this will offer local residents a choice of beds within different community settings.

The MCDC programme helps local healthcare services develop the best possible local services for palliative care patients, regardless of diagnosis, so that they are cared for in the place of their choice.

We are currently tendering for a range of Integrated Care Services which will include, Out of Hours Service, Single Point of Access Call Centre and Lowestoft Locality Integrated Urgent Care Services.

To view the documents go to the Business Opportunities page under About Us.

For the first time this year, expectant mothers can have the free vaccine, along with all people aged 65 and over or those who are deemed at risk.

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are urging people to sign up for the jab now, before the prime flu months hit in winter.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Having the vaccine is a really important part of keeping yourself well and staying well over the coming months. Many GP practices have already started flu clinics, so now is the time to contact your doctor and book your jab.

“Flu can be severe, especially for those with existing health problems. Some people are more susceptible to the effects of flu and it can increase the risk of more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis.”

People with the following conditions should consider having the free seasonal flu vaccine:

• A heart problem

• A chest complaint, breathing difficulties, including bronchitis or emphysema

• A kidney disease

• A liver disease

• Had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

• Diabetes

• A neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy

• A problem with your spleen or if you have had your spleen removed

Members of the community should also have the vaccine if they are living in a nursing home or are the main carer of an older or disabled person.

Some people have asked their health professional whether the vaccine protects them against swine flu as well.

Michael Dennis, Head of Prescribing and Medicines Management for NHS GYW said: “The seasonal flu vaccine changes every year to protect against all the common flu strains going around at the moment - and this year the commonest strain is still swine flu. But it is different to the swine flu jab you would have been offered earlier this year and now includes more strains of flu.

“The seasonal flu vaccine has been tested and is safe. If you have any queries, please talk to your GP or midwife.”

People who had the seasonal flu vaccination last year will need a new seasonal flu jab this winter because the virus changes every year and the vaccine needs to match the latest version of the virus.

Anyone who is eligible for a free flu vaccine should be contacted by their GP surgery. But if you have not been contacted, speak to your practice or to your pharmacist, or visit www.nhs.uk/winterhealth

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has smashed through its smoking target after helping more than 2,000 people to stub it out once and for all.

Between April 2009 and the end of March 2010, community stop smoking advisors working across the area helped 2,039 people to stop smoking. The figures mean NHS GYW smashed its 1,562 target for the number of quitters during the year, surpassing it by 30.5%.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We are absolutely delighted with these figures, which show that more than 2,000 people are now enjoying a much healthier life after stubbing it out once and for all.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure the service we offer is easy to access and offers lots of choice for smokers so that we can help them to find the solution which suits them. This could be a combination of nicotine replacement therapy or stop smoking medication and one-to-one support from an advisor - we try to be as flexible as possible as we appreciate just how difficult it can be for some people to stop.”

Anyone who signs up with the stop smoking service can get nicotine replacement therapy and access to medication for the cost of a prescription, which is considerably cheaper than buying from a supermarket or chemist.

“These figures show that the service really does work, and we hope they inspire other smokers who are thinking of stopping,” added Ms Snelgrove.

“The message we would always give is this - it often takes several attempts to stop but you’re not alone and we can help. Don’t stop trying as you’ll notice improvements to your health, have more energy, more money, stop premature aging, have whiter teeth, reduce your stress levels and find that your sense of taste and smell improves. And that’s just about you - stopping smoking is also about your family and those around you.

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more about how we can help to get in touch and make today the day you take those first steps towards a smokefree future.”

Smokers can call 01502 533710 or text QUIT to 65000 to find out more or go to their local pharmacy, GP surgery, walk in centre or community and health centres to sign up for support.

ENDS

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025, email liz.hearnshaw@zenithpr.co.uk or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk

Parents are being sent details of how their teenage child can get tested for Chlamydia as part of an ongoing drive to reduce the spread of the sexually-transmitted infection.

From late June, letters will be sent to the parents and carers of 16 and 17-year-olds living in Norfolk and Waveney. As well as giving more information about Chlamydia, they will explain why it is so important for teenagers to get checked for the infection and detail how to access a free and painless screening test.

The letters are being sent by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and NHS Norfolk as part of the sexual health service’s ongoing www.areyougettingit.com campaign, which aims to reduce the spread of the infection.

Andy Mazzei, Advanced Practitioner for the Sexual Health Promotion Unit, said: “We know about one in 14 of Norfolk and Waveney’s young people have Chlamydia. It can be passed from one person to another through sexual touching and not just through full sex, so some people don’t realise they are still at risk.

“Even if their child is not sexually active yet, providing this information to parents can still help, as it can be used to help the child make informed choices about sex and ensure they know how to reduce their risk of contracting Chlamydia in the future.”

Although the letters will be sent to the parents of 16 and 17 year olds, Chlamydia screening services are available to all sexually active adults up to the age of 24. The test, which is completely free and confidential, simply asks for a urine sample, which is then sent for laboratory investigation. The results are sent directly to the individual who has taken the test, and not their parent or carer.

Mr Mazzei added: “Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so it can be hard for people to know if they are infected. But even if you don’t think you have Chlamydia, its worth taking the simple screening test to check.

“Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics, but can lead to more serious problems, such as infertility in later life, if it isn’t treated promptly.”

Young people aged between 15 and 24 can order a test online through the Chlamydia website www.areyougettingit.com, texting "screen" to 80010 or by phoning 01603 221830. Callers to the phone line will also be able to find out where to pick up a pack in person, if they wish to.

ENDS

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025, email liz.hearnshaw@zenithpr.co.uk or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk

Slimmers across Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been shedding pounds through a new free weight programme launched at the beginning of the year.

Promising to be anything but a diet, the Do Something Different programme tackles behaviour rather than food.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW), the 12-week course is based on small changes to the slimmer’s routine, which result in longer-term changes in issues around food or even a relationship with eating.

Mum-of-five Bridget Copeman, from Bungay, has lost more than half a stone as a result of the programme.

The 48-year-old said: “I’ve been on every diet there is and I just thought this seemed to make sense.
“When I filled in the initial questionnaire asking if I’d ever eaten when I didn’t feel hungry I thought yes, I do. Throughout the whole course I realised food is a lot about my emotions, not just about what I put in my mouth.
“We never spoke about diets and the coach, Ian Woodley, at the group in Beccles was amazing.”

Mrs Copeman said she started losing weight half-way through the course, but all the slimmers in her group had different experiences.

She added: “One woman had a transformation in week two. I started losing half-way through. I’m still losing and feel completely different as I feel more in control - and so more in control of eating.”

People can sign up for the Do Something Different course if they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) from 27 to 40 and over the age of 18.

Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS GYW, said: “The aim is for continuous long-term weight loss rather than a quick fix.

“There’s no lecturing involved and no discussion about dieting. The programme only started in January but the feedback so far is positive.

“We hope more people take up the opportunity - especially as it’s free.”

Do Something Different has been funded by NHS GYW to complement a range of free weight loss programmes already offered, which include the LIFE schemes.

Slimmers keen to sign up for Do Something Different can call 0800 027 6413, text CHANGE to 65000 or email change@dsdeast.co.uk
To sign up people need to have a BMI of 27 up to 40 and be 18 years or over. Pregnant women cannot sign up and anyone with more than one health condition, known as co-morbidities, may need to seek consent from their GP.

ENDS

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626, email lucy.bolton@nhs.net or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Breastfeeding women and mums-to-be will be given all the help, advice and support they need at a special event taking place to mark national breastfeeding awareness week.

On Tuesday (22 June), NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s breastfeeding team will be spreading the breastfeeding message to parents in Great Yarmouth from an eye-catching yellow marquee set up in the market place.

During the event, which runs from 10am to 3pm, the team will be offering help and advice to mums who are already breastfeeding or are thinking about starting. As well as highlighting the health benefits which breastfeeding brings, they will also be signposting people to sources of further help and advice, such as the popular baby cafes which are held across Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Margaret Holtz, breastfeeding team lead with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We hope that this roadshow will help raise awareness of the health benefits which breastfeeding can bring to both mum and baby.

“Specially trained staff will be on hand to give expert advice to anyone who is already breastfeeding or is interested in doing so, and we’d encourage any new parents or parents-to-be to drop by and have a chat.”

Research into the health benefits of choosing breast over formula milk shows that breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight or obese or suffer from allergies, infections, asthma and eczema. Mums who breastfeed are also less likely to get cancer or brittle bones later in life, and find it easier to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly.

Anyone who wants help or advice is welcome to drop into next week’s event, or can alternatively contact the breastfeeding team on 01493 852209.

ENDS

Notes for editors
National breastfeeding week runs from 21 to 27 June.

You are welcome to attend Tuesday’s event to take photographs or carry out interviews. The team will be in the market place between 10am and 3pm.

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025, email liz.hearnshaw@zenithpr.co.uk or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients can raise concerns about their community while being treated by their district nurse.

Members of the community who are seen by a district nurse may also receive a visit from their police community support officer (PCSO) at the same time.

The project, named Operation Comfort, offers patients a chance to talk to the PCSO, during their appointment with a community healthcare worker.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Services District Nursing Team has joined up with the police to develop this project so members of the community already being visited have the opportunity to speak about any issues they have.

Walter Lloyd-Smith, Safeguarding Adults Lead for NHS GYWCS, said: “As a community health service we often know where the vulnerable people are as we are supporting many of them, but our police colleagues are less well informed.

“The same PCSO, Caron Young, goes along for the visits and these are to any appropriate appointment. The PSCO can also follow up any concerns at a later date.

“By working in this way we are better able to pick up any concerns and then provide a very focussed and supportive response for that person.”

Patients are asked if they are happy with the PCSO joining the visit before they go into that person’s home.

Mr Lloyd-Smith added: “The nurse explains to the patient about the PCSO visiting before they enter the home that it’s to improve services in the community. The feedback we’re getting from family members is extremely positive and they are appreciative that we’ve made the link with the police service.

“The project is proving a real success in the community and since it began, with the pilot three months ago, we have already had five reported crimes which would have otherwise gone unreported. And the PCSO has made four requests to Social Services and referred them on and Caron has also helped give practical help to one person to help them improve their home security.”

Patients are also given an information leaflet from the police officer explaining why they went along and to explain more about the project for them - and any family or friends.

The project has been so successful it has been shortlisted for the Diversity in Action Team Award run as part of the Norfolk Safer Community Awards at Norfolk Constabulary.

PCSO Young said: “My role in the community is about talking to people and finding out what is happening in their world. Being able to talk to patients who may want to bring things up with their police officer, but who may not usually be able to, is a great way to hear the concerns of that person.

“Visiting members of the community and building relationships with them is not only good for that single time, but also helps if we need to return. I don’t hold the nurse up.

“Often one person may voice something that many people in that community are worried about, so as well as helping that one individual it’s also about helping the whole area.”

Building on the success of Operation Comfort, the project is planned to be rolled out across the whole Great Yarmouth area.

Inspector Alun Gibbs, from Norfolk Constabulary, added: “This is a great project as both the NHS and the police are leading and it is specifically designed to pick up areas of concern that fall below the level of crime.

“It also offers a speedier response to issues or concerns.”

The team will find out on Thursday evening, June 17, if they have won the community award.

ENDS

Notes for editors
A link to a photograph is attached with this press release.
The Operation Comfort Team, top row, left to right: Carol Cordiner, Insp Alun Gibbs, Penny Carpenter, Walter Lloyd-Smith and Staff Nurse Nikki Suttle.
Bottom row: Sister Judith Goddard, PCSO Caron Young and Staff Nurse Kerry Wild.

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626, email lucy.bolton@nhs.net or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Everyone is at risk of having a fall, warn health professionals from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Although many elderly people injure themselves, members of the Falls Prevention Service are reminding members of the public to take care and prevent what may end up with a long-term injury.

The reminder comes ahead of Age UK’s National Falls Awareness Week from Monday, June 21 to Friday, June 25.

The prevention team, at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, is organising a wide range of activities and sessions for people to remind them of the dangers, help prevent hazards and boost confidence for those who may have had a fall and fear going out again.

Andrea Sargeant, Advanced Community Occupational Therapist from the Falls Prevention Service, said the theme for the awareness week is “Get Up and Go”.

She said: “Staying active is a great way to prevent falls. It’s really important to raise awareness of the issues as people who injure themselves if they have fallen, account for a huge amount of those in hospital and then needing further support.

“Everybody is at risk and I’m sure if many people think about it they’ve tripped over, or fallen, but of course many elderly people are vulnerable to this and many hurt themselves - often quite badly. Part of our work is about rehabilitating those people who have fallen. The team, completes all the treatment within the individual’s own home, which includes making recommendations regarding environment and discussing exercise programmes.”

As part of the week the team is working in libraries, talking to members of the community, carrying out staff training their colleagues and giving away fall-preventing equipment such as “ferrules” which are the rubber bits you can put on the end of a walking stick.

On Tuesday, June 22 the team will be in Lowestoft town centre giving out ferrules and information. They will also be joined by health trainers and members of the exercise referral team to promote the active message.

Danielle Woods, Exercise Referral Co-ordinator from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Exercise Referral Team, said: “Strength and stability are important in preventing falls, and maintaining general physical health.

“The Falls Prevention team refer people who need ongoing support. But regular exercise can mean an individual is at a lower risk from the outset.”

ENDS

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626, email lucy.bolton@nhs.net or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients and members of the public are being encouraged to air their views on proposals for a new health centre in Gorleston, as a formal 13 week consultation is set to begin on Tuesday.

Health chiefs from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are eager to hear from people about proposals to move Gorleston Medical Practice and community health services to a new location on the Shrublands site in Magdalen Way.

The health services identified for the move are the community physiotherapy service, and the Speech and Language Therapy team, currently based at the James Paget University Hospital (JPUH), and the podiatry team currently based at Central Surgery in Gorleston.

Doctors at the Gorleston Medical Practice currently work in a cramp converted former shop in Stuart Close. Natalie Williams, Senior Communications and Engagement Manager for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “There are many problems with this building. It is too small, does not have disabled access facilities, has no allocated parking spaces and it does not have any training space for the GPs.

“There is little opportunity to extend or change the current building, and this makes it impossible to update the current building to the expected standards of a GP health centre today.”

Mrs Williams added: “Moving the health services over will bring the therapist teams into the heart of the communities with which they work.”

Patients will be able to go to the new health centre for a doctor’s appointment, a physiotherapy session or an antenatal appointment for pregnant women.

There will also be a shared space for healthcare professionals to work and train in which will allow the same rooms to be used by different healthcare specialists for all types of appointments. This will help ensure the new space is constantly being used and local people get a variety of services all conveniently situated in one location within their local community.

Future services, like specialist hospital clinics, mental health support and community midwives, could also be based from the new centre.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Board of Directors will consider the outcome of the consultation at their public meeting on September 22, 2010.

Dr Jamie Wyllie, Medical Director for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “The new Shrublands Health Centre will ensure patients have access to treatment and advice from health professionals in a modern and accessible building.

“We are looking forward to the joint working opportunities this building will provide.”

The health centre will be based in a temporary building initially while a more permanent space is developed on the site.

Planning approval has already been granted by Great Yarmouth Borough councillors on May 18, 2010 but members of the public can email, write or ring into NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney with their views about the proposals and what services are offered in the new centre.

Mrs Williams added: “Members of the public have until 6 September to let us know their thoughts as part of a public consultation of the plans.

“This consultation focuses on what health services you would like to access in the new health centre.”

To complete the online questionnaire go to www.gywpct.nhs.uk, email your views send to gyw-pct.yourviewsmatter@nhs.net or post them to: Natalie Williams, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, 1 Common Lane North, Beccles, NR34 9BN.
You can also drop them off at:
Gorleston Medical Centre, Stuart Close, Gorleston, NR31 7BU,
Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre, Magdalen Way, Gorleston, NR31 7BP, or at Central Surgery, Sussex Road, Gorleston, NR31 6QB.

ENDS

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Natalie Williams on 01502 719582 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Men from Great Yarmouth and Waveney can give their health an MOT during a series of special events taking place to mark national Men’s Health Week.

The free mini health checks are being offered to any man who visits one of the “MOT stations” across the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area from Monday, June 15.

Health professionals check the person’s blood pressure, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and lung function.

Tracey Read, Health Promotion Practitioner from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “It’s really important that men have regular check-ups and maintain a healthy balance in life.
“It’s not always easy to get to a doctor and men do not access GPs as much as women. Throughout Men’s Health Week we want men, whatever age, to come along to one of the drop-in sessions and get checked out.
“We encourage any man in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area to come along for a free, confidential and fast MOT or to discuss any health concerns they may have.”

Information and advice will be given on free NHS healthy lifestyle services for anyone who has had a check.

Miss Read added: “There’s no need to book an appointment and you even get a certificate of condition and roadworthiness issued on completing the check!”

Men’s Health Week begins on Monday, June 15 and is designed to raise awareness of the simple steps which men can take to avoid contracting preventable illnesses. It also hopes to encourage men of all ages to look after their health and seek early treatment, should they become unwell.

The MOT stations will be in Lowestoft Library on Monday from 1pm to 6pm, at Great Yarmouth Borough Council Hall Plain on Tuesday, June 15 from 9am to 12.30pm, at the Cobholm and Lichfield Centre in Pasteur Road, Great Yarmouth on Tuesday, June 15 from 3pm to 6pm and at Oulton Broad Library in Bridge Road on Wednesday, June 16 from 10am to 1pm. Then on Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 4.30pm they will be at the Bridge View Day Centre (St John’s Housing) in Commercial Road, Lowestoft and from 10am to 12noon on Thursday, June 17 at Boots Pharmacy in Market Gates, Great Yarmouth.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney health promoters are also looking for men to sign up football teams for the Dads’ World Cup, which is being run as part of Men’s Health Week.

The tournament begins at 11am on Saturday, June 19, at Kirkley Community High School in Kirkley Run, Lowestoft.

As well as the tournament there is a range of free family events.

Teams can register by calling Tracey Read on 01502 719527 or emailing traceyread@nhs.net

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626, email lucy.bolton@nhs.net or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients are being reminded they have a right to complain or compliment their local NHS service.

Members of the public, or their friends, family or carers, have the right to confidentially feedback to the NHS about their experience of the healthcare system.

The Patient, Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers anyone the opportunity to raise an issue about a service, make a complaint about the treatment they have received or to compliment a health professional or team when they have done something well.

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney want more people to know they can contact the PALS officer.

Geraldine Adams, PALS officer at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “PALS is a friendly face or voice at the end of a telephone line to help people navigate their way through the healthcare system. This can be from wanting to know where their nearest NHS doctor, optician, pharmacy or dentist is - which there are many in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area - or to discuss a more complex medical issue.

“While PALS officers aren’t clinicians we are able to access information about complex medical issues.”

The public reminder comes as part of PALS Awareness Week running from Monday, June 14.

Mrs Adams added: “Patients who don’t want to make a formal complaint but who want to talk about concerns can do this through the PALS service by contacting 01502 719501.

“Sometimes the formal process frightens people and a formal complaint will be thoroughly investigated by the complaints manager and will take some time. If someone doesn’t want to go down this formal complaint route they could instead talk to me who will try to resolve the issue quickly.”

PALS is a completely confidential service to help patients, carers and members of the public who need advice, have concerns or are not sure where to turn for help.

Sarah Boulton, Interim Chair of NHS East of England, said: “PALS have a vital role to play in supporting members of the public with a good patient experience.

“PALS are often the first port of call for people who have queries, worries or concerns about the services they receive.

“The teams are highly professional people who reflect the values of the NHS Constitution extremely well.”

To contact the PALS service call 01502 719501 or email gyw-pct.pals@nhs.net

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626, email lucy.bolton@nhs.net or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Women in Waveney and Great Yarmouth should check the date of their last smear test, say health bosses.

Thousands of women forget to book or avoid the short screening test for cervical cancer, but health chiefs at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney say it could have tragic consequences if missed.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We are encouraging anyone who has not had their smear to go.

“We know it can be scary or something you just keep putting off but the consequences could be tragic. The screening can detect any early signs of abnormal cells that may develop into cancer.”

Cervical cancer affects more than 2,000 people a year in the UK and causes around 400 deaths.

Health chiefs are pushing the message of cervical cancer screening as part of Cervical Screening Awareness Week from June 7 to 13.

Dr Lipp added: “There was an increase in the number of women who went for their test after Jade Goody sadly died. But many of them were the 'worried well' and the Goody effect seems to have declined.

“This is a life-saving screening procedure that is quick and can be carried out at your doctor's surgery. If you feel nervous or want to know more about the screening then talk to your practice nurse beforehand. They will be able to offer you advice.
“We know many women find it a scary, a bit embarrassing and for some a bit painful but this could save your life.
“If you haven’t had a test for three years contact your doctor’s surgery and if you get a letter – book the test.”

Vaginal bleeding may be a symptom of cervical cancer, but in many cases when it is detected it is in the late stages. Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may also include loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness, pelvic pain, back and leg pain, heavy bleeding from the vagina and incontinence.

Dr Lipp said: “This is such an important test. We also now have a vaccine for teenage girls to protect them against the human papilloma virus (HPV).
“The jab comes in three separate doses. Having the full course of the vaccine helps prevent teenage girls developing cervical cancer later in life.”

Contact your doctor’s surgery for a smear test or for teenage girls who may have missed their HPV vaccine, call 01502 527591.
 

Organisers of a community football tournament have had a surge of support for the event, but are encouraging even more men to sign up.

Many men have signed up in teams for the Dads’ World Cup event on Saturday, June 19, but the organisers, at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, still have places left for the tournament.

The event is being run as part of a free family fun day at Kirkley Community High School in Kirkley Run, Lowestoft.

Tracey Read, Health Promotion Practitioner for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We’ve had a brilliant response with teams of dads – and their friends, sons, brothers – signing up. We have teams from the South Lowestoft Fire Service, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and children’s centres but there’s still room for more teams.
“Being active is one way to really improve your health

“Team can be made up of all ages and abilities and no one has to be a great football player.”

The gates open at 11am and entry is free for teams and families coming to support the event – and their football playing loved ones. Teams registering for the event need to arrive at 10.30am.

Miss Read added: “It’s not just football, there will be loads of activities for all the family to get involved with – dance classes, aerobics, martial arts tasters as well as a bouncy castle. There’ll even be a children’s entertainer – all for free.”

The winning team will be awarded with a trophy and free drinks and fruit will be given out to all visitors by Tesco Beccles, who are one of the organisations supporting the event.

Miss Read added: “We’ve had brilliant support for the event from Lowestoft College, Tesco Beccles and South Lowestoft’s Children’s Centres. And we’ve just heard that the Big Lottery Fund is going to support it too.

“It ties in with Men’s Health Week the World Cup and even Father’s Day. What a great way to celebrate all three.”

Teams can register by calling Tracey Read on 01502 719527 or emailing traceyread@nhs.net

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

A cycling coach is promising budding riders they will be fitter and faster in four weeks or get their money back.

Neil Turner, development officer and coach for the Great Yarmouth Cycling Club, is certain anyone who signs up for the Thursday evening cycling sessions around Somerleyton Hall will notice improvements in their abilities in four weeks.

Named “time trials” the five and ten-mile rides offer cyclists the chance to develop their skills over the summer through the evening events.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Physical Activity Team is supporting the sessions which are part of the cycling club’s membership costing £15 for adults or £7.50 for youngsters and those eligible for concessions.

Mr Turner said: “We’re offering four weeks of coaching and racing and if you’re not fitter and faster at the end of the four weeks you can have your money back.”

The meeting point – which is also the start and finish point – is one mile from Market Lane from the junction with the B1074 in Somerleyton village.

Mr Turner added: “The quiet rolling roads around Somerleyton are perfect for the time trials but to ensure we are as safe as possible we have marshals along the route and the police are aware when we are there.

“Club members are covered by insurance too.”

The cycling sessions support the national Change 4 Life health campaign to encourage people to eat less, move more and life longer. Part of the campaign includes Bike 4 Life.

Marten Payne, Physical Activity Coordinator for NHS GYW, added: “You may have a bike or have enjoyed cycling in the past but haven’t done it for a while. This opportunity means you can have a go in a safe group setting and find out how fit and fast you can become. It’s a great way to get back into cycling.

“Cycling is a really great activity in terms of fitness. It works the whole body and for those who may have become bored with the gym or want to ride in the countryside this is a perfect opportunity. It may be that people who joined a gym in January and have been getting fit since then could swap the treadmill for their bike and it would really help their fitness as you’ll be working different muscle groups.

“It may also help people try other options for travelling to work rather than relying on the car.”

To find out more contact the Great Yarmouth Cycling Club on 01493 652183 or go to www.greatyarmouthcyclingclub.co.uk

To find out more about physical activity sessions happening in your area contact Marten on 01493 744432, email martenpayne@nhs.net or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients who go to A&E without considering other healthcare options are being asked whether they really need to visit the hospital.

Health bosses from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are urging anyone who needs medical treatment for minor injuries not to automatically go to A&E but consider all the other options available, such as a minor injury unit or Walk-In Centre.

Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Instead of going to A&E you could go to the Great Yarmouth Walk in Centre called NHS Greyfriars or if you have a cut, sprain or strain you can go the minor injury unit at Beccles. These are open on Bank Holiday Monday.

“We are seeing a surge of people with minor injuries already going to the accident and emergency department at the James Paget and we know some of them have alternatives to go to in the first instance.”

NHS Greyfriars, in Greyfriars Way, Great Yarmouth, is open from 8am to 8pm every day, including Bank Holidays or other public holidays. Call 01493 335340. The minor injury unit at Beccles Hospital in St Mary’s Road, Beccles, is open from 8am to 8pm every day including this Bank Holiday Monday. Call 01502 719821.

The minor injury unit at Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dr Diu added: “Medical advice is also available by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or on the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk”

People can also go their local chemist and talk through their symptoms with a pharmacist.

Dr Diu added: “We know it can be a difficult time if you or a loved one is poorly, but just for a second think about where else you may get treatment. It will probably mean you will be seen quicker too.”
 

Parents and pregnant women are being encouraged to take advantage of vouchers giving away free milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins.

Families with children under four, pregnant women or parents aged 18 or under could be missing out on vouchers offering free food and vitamins.

Pregnant women are entitled to a sign up for the Healthy Start vouchers. They can claim £3.10 for weekly voucher, children aged one up to four can claim a £3.10 voucher and for each baby under the age of one they are eligible for a £6.20 voucher.

Pregnant women or parents with a child under four are also entitled to vitamin vouchers worth 90p and vitamin drops worth £1.77. The vitamins are available at most children’s centres.

Sarah Barnes, Health Improvement Manager at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We know hundreds of people aren’t accessing these vouchers. This is essentially free food and vitamins for eligible women and children.
“We want as many families as possible to start using the vouchers.”

The vouchers can be spent on liquid cows’ milk, fresh fruit, vegetables and infant formula milk at local shops and supermarkets. Vitamins coupons can be exchanged at children’s centres some GP surgeries and the mobile food store.

Mr Barnes added: “To qualify for the vouchers women need to be at least 10 weeks pregnant, your child needs to be under four years old and your family receives either income support, income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or Child Tax Credit.

“You also qualify if you are under 18 and pregnant, even if you aren’t claiming any of the benefits.”

Families can access the vouchers by talking to their midwife or health visitor or apply by completing an application form. The vouchers are then sent directly to the family every four weeks, or every eight weeks for the vitamin vouchers.

To find your nearest shop that accepts the vouchers or to get an application form visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk or call 0845 607 6823.

A former GP with a wealth of experience and local knowledge has joined the team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney as Medical Director.

Dr Jamie Wyllie took up his position earlier this month after spending more than eight years working as a GP at the Falkland Surgery in Bradwell, Great Yarmouth. He replaces Dr Chris Price, who retired earlier this year, and will take responsibility for offering clinical direction and advice to NHS GYW’s Board.

“I’m really looking forward to my new role and the challenges it will bring, such as helping to influence NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s strategy for the future,” said Dr Wyllie.

“One of my priorities will be driving through further improvements to the quality of clinical services we offer – which is especially important in the current financial climate. I’m looking forward to working with all of our clinical partners to transform clinical services across the whole of the health system.

“Dr Chris Price, our former Medical Director, did a fantastic job while he was with the PCT, and had huge experience, gravitas, expertise and the respect of everybody he dealt with. Stepping into the shoes which he left behind will be an enormous challenge, but one which I’m thoroughly looking forward to.”

Dr Wyllie qualified as a doctor in 1997 after studying at Edinburgh University. He completed his training as a GP in 2002 and went on to join the Falkland Surgery.

During his years in Bradwell, he developed a wide-reaching knowledge of the clinical services available in the Yarmouth area, and now plans to do the same across Waveney.

“It is essential that I remain in close contact with our healthcare partners on the ground so that I can feedback their views within NHS GYW,” he added. “As such, I’d like to visit every practice within the PCT area during my first six to eight months in post so that I can start to get to know all of the people I’ll be working with.

“I want to improve the already good relationships which NHS GYW enjoys with clinicians across the area still further, and am looking forward to meeting as many of our frontline staff as possible so I can begin to do just that.”
 

Parents in Southwold and Reydon are being invited to the launch of a brand new Baby Café.   Offering support, breastfeeding information and free healthy snacks, the café is opening its doors on Thursday, May 27 at 12noon.  Based at Reydon and Southwold Children’s Centre in Jermyns Road, Reydon, the café has been given funding by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney to support the launch.

Lisa Page, Specialist Midwife heading up the new café, said: “The café is free and offers top quality breastfeeding information and support with specially trained midwives and staff. We welcome parents, mums, dads, grandparents and their family who can come along to find out tips to help them with their baby.

“We invite and support pregnant women to come along before they’ve had their baby to find out more about breastfeeding. As well as find out more information about breastfeeding, they can meet other new parents. And then when they’ve had their baby it’s a familiar place to come where you feel safe and secure.”

The Reydon and Southwold Baby Café is one of several cafes in the NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. All are free and based at children’s centre across the patch.

There are also cafés on a Monday in Beccles, Tuesday in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, Wednesday in Martham, Thursday in Lowestoft and Friday in Gorleston. They are all held in the local children's centres. Reydon Baby Café will be open every Thursday from 10am to 12pm.

Mrs Page added: “We really hope more mums and mums-to-be give it a go and our staff can help give you tips and support you.

“We know it’s not always easy for many mums but there are many positives including developing the bond with your baby, helping them develop healthier teeth, protection against infections, better bone development and increased natural immunity.

“And for the mum – she’ll get her figure back quicker and it cuts the risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and lowers the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis.”

Staff working at the Baby Café are trained to a UNICEF standard to ensure they are able to give the correct information.

Margaret Holtz, Specialist Practitioner/Health Visitor and Breast Feeding Team Lead for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Baby cafes are a really relaxed atmosphere to sit and breastfeed and help you feel more confident to do it in other public areas.

“Every mother in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area will find there is access to a Baby Café somewhere near their home from Monday to Friday.”

For further details contact the Breastfeeding Team on 01493 852209 or www.thebabycafe.co.uk

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk  
 

Families with children who may be over their ideal weight are being encouraged to sign up for free sessions to help them learn more about healthy eating and exercise.

Youngsters aged seven to 13 across the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area can take part in the MEND sessions which are being run at four locations in the patch.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the ten-week programme is being rolled out at the Fitness 2000 gym in Great Yarmouth, at The Shrublands Centre in Gorleston, Kirkley Community High School in Lowestoft and at Bungay Middle School.

Steph Edrich, MEND Programme Manager at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Services, said: “Children and their families will be able to learn about physical activity, nutrition and self esteem.
“The MEND programme makes an incredible difference to children’s lives. They become fitter, healthier and happier. It’s great to see the children grow in confidence throughout the 10 weeks.
“This is the first generation that may die before their parents because of the growing obesity issues. We all need to be more aware of how to improve our lifestyles so we can start tackling these issues.”

The MEND programme, which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It, begins in the week beginning May 10 for two hours from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Mrs Edrich added: “We know it makes a difference and children and their families who have been on previous sessions have said it has changed their whole approach, not only to food but to their self esteem. The youngsters grew in confidence and enjoyed making new friends
and trying out new activities
“We are really keen for more children from the Bungay and Gorleston area.”

The MEND Programme is the UK’s largest healthy lifestyle programme for children and their parents or carers.

Mrs Edrich said: “The programme has a whole family approach and is a great way of getting everybody eating healthier and being more active together.
“We can’t do this without the support of parents, who have found the sessions a great way of spending time with their children, learning new games and ways all the family can get involved in preparing meals.
“Parents who have been involved in the sessions have also seen a reduction in their weight and waist circumference, which we know is a really important factor in maintaining health and extending the life expectancy of the whole family.”

Families keen to sign up for MEND can call Steph Edrich on 01493 852207 or text 07798 825145. More information is available through the national website www.mendprogramme.org

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Nordic Walking is a specific fitness technique which will be taught by highly qualified instructors. It is the fastest growing fitness activity in the world and used by individuals, personal trainers, health clubs, physiotherapists, doctors and health promoters because it is highly effective, affordable and fun.

The Nordic Walk is one of many events planned at the east coast adiZone, along with free sessions for youngsters and drop in sessions with a qualified gym instructor.

Along with the Nordic Walk on May 13, there will be a one-and-a-half mile healthy walk initiative aimed at people who are not as active as others or may not feel confident about how to get started.

And on the same day, qualified gym instructors will be at the venue to help people use the equipment.

Mr Allen added: “We have noticed people are using the adiZone facility but some people aren’t using it as it’s designed to be used. We want to offer support for all those who wish to use the facility and not just active people.

“We hope to have an instructor there once a week so people know they can go down at that time and there will be someone there who can guide them.”

It will also help people to know they’re using the equipment safely and is a chance for members of the public to use the adiZone knowing that there is a trained fitness instructor to offer friendly advice on what is suitable for the individual and how much is a safe amount.

“AdiZone is great as it has all the usual equipment such as lat pulls and chest presses and we want people to use the facility. Hopefully these events will help people feel more comfortable with the idea of an outdoor gym.”

Youngsters can drop in for a new and free youth activity club activity at the Mill Lane community centre including supervised use of the adiZone from Friday, April 16. Activities will include street dance, basketball, football, power kiting, turbo bike time trials and use of the adiZone all offered by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s young people’s Physical Activity Team from 5.30pm to 7.30pm for 10 weeks.

Marten Payne, Physical Activity Coordinator, added: “The new club is aimed at increasing fun and diverse opportunities for young people and pushing the message that youngsters need 60 active minutes of exercise a day.

“The sessions are free and open for seven year olds up to 14 year olds.”

Marie Hartley, Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Culture, Sport and Leisure Manager added: “The Council is pleased to work in partnership with Great Yarmouth & Waveney NHS to promote and encourage the use of this exciting new outdoor facility.

“Now the evenings are lighter it is an ideal opportunity to get more active, be inspired and make good use of this free community site.”

For more information on adiZone or any of the events to be held there contact the Exercise Referral Team on 01493 744422.

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Members of the public are being reminded they can use a minor injury unit or Walk In Centre during the Easter weekend.

Although some GP surgeries may be operating shorter opening hours, there are other healthcare options available.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “People will still be able to use the Great Yarmouth Walk in Centre called NHS Greyfriars or if you have a cut, sprain or strain you can go the minor injury unit at Beccles.”

NHS Greyfriars, in Greyfriars Way, Great Yarmouth, is open from 8am to 8pm every day over the Easter break. The minor injury unit at Beccles Hospital in St Mary’s Road, Beccles, is open from 8am to 8pm every day.

The minor injury unit at Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth will be closed over the four days.

Dr Lipp added: “Medical advice is also available by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or on the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk”

People can also go their local pharmacies, which will operate normal opening hours on Saturday.
Many pharmacies will also be open during the Easter break. Haydens in the High Street, Lowestoft will be open on Good Friday from 12noon to 2pm, Easter Sunday 12noon to 2pm, Easter Monday 12noon to 2pm. Boots at Gapton Hall Retail Park in Great Yarmouth will be open on Good Friday, 8am to 12midnight, Easter Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm and Easter Monday 8.30am to 12midnight.

Boots in St Mary’s Road, Bungay and in Halesworth are open as usual on Good Friday, Howells and Harrison in the High Street, Southwold is open from 10am to 4pm on Food Friday, 11am to 3pm on Easter Sunday and from 10am to 4pm on Easter Monday. Nucrest Ltd in Queen Street, Southwold is open from 10am to 4pm on Good Friday and 11am to 3pm on Easter Monday.

The Co-op pharmacy in Ashburnham Way, Carlton Colville will be open from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Easter Monday and the Co-op in Westwood Avenue, Lowestoft will be open from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Worlingham Pharmacy in Woodland Avenue will also be opened from 11.15am to 12.15pm on Good Friday.

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Volunteers are needed to become community cooks in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area.

The volunteers will developing cooking skills so they can pass them onto others in their community and encouraged to go along to an evening information session to find out more.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the community cook project is linked to the Cook Healthy Eat Well (CHEW) programme which offers members of the public a five-week basic cookery course for free.

Helen Johnston, Healthy Living Development Manager from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Nutrition Team, said: “Community Cooks are volunteers who are passionate about supporting others to improve their cooking skills to prepare cheap, healthy and tasty meals.
“We need people who are enthusiastic about cooking meals with simple ingredients and techniques and committed to working with people from their local communities.
““It really is an opportunity for individuals looking to develop their skills, boost their work experience and explore whether working in community settings or around food and catering might be worth following in terms of career.
“It gives people who are perhaps working part time or semi-retired an opportunity to be active and involved in their local community.”

Each volunteer who signs up to become a community cook will be given training to run sessions in their area by NHS Great Yarmouth & Waveney’s Community Nutrition Team.

Ms Johnston added: “The training is run over six days. As part of the training they will study and be assessed for certificates in CIEH Level 2 Award in Healthier Food & Special Diets, CIEH Level 2 Food Safety in Catering and OCN Level 2 Developing Cooking Skills.
“Following completion of the training, new community cooks will be offered opportunities to shadow CHEW sessions delivered by Community Nutritionists or by experienced Community Cooks before delivering their first CHEW course.”

Interested volunteers can find out more at two information sessions next month <April>.

Ms Johnston added: “Come along to one of the information evenings in Beccles or Great Yarmouth. These are an opportunity to meet the trainers, find out more about the scheme and ask questions.”

The information session at Beccles will be held at St Luke’s Church of England Church Hall from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, April 7. The information session in Great Yarmouth will be held at The Priory Centre, Priory Plain, Great Yarmouth from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, April 14.

For more information contact the Community Nutrition Team by emailing nutrition@gyctrust.co.uk calling 01493 852200 or writing to Europa House, Nottingham Way, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2SA.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has finalised an agreement with Harmoni which will see the company provide out of hours care from Thursday 1 April until October 2010. The change comes after Harmoni purchased a controlling interest in previous out-of-hours provider Take Care Now (TCN), in turn taking over TCN’s contractual rights and obligations.

The contract has been transferred at no additional cost to NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, and will continue to use GPs from Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Dr Sushil Jathanna, Chief Executive of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Harmoni is a market leader in providing out-of-hours services and recently won a contract to provide the service in Suffolk.

“We have completed a thorough assessment of the provision which Harmoni offers, and are fully confident that this change will ensure our patients continue to receive a safe and consistent out-of-hours service. We have also been working closely with Harmoni to ensure the transition between service providers will be seamless for our patients.”

Pam Fenner, Director of Nursing and Quality, added: “Patient safety and service quality are of primary importance to NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. As such, Harmoni will work in accordance with our existing robust contractual arrangements which we will continue to monitor closely.

“We are pleased that these negotiations have been brought to a close satisfactorily, and look forward to working closely with Harmoni to ensure our patients are benefiting from a high quality out-of-hours service which meets their needs.”

Harmoni will continue to use local GPs to provide the out-of-hours service, while all triage will also be completed locally.

Mike Barradell-Smith, Marketing Director for Harmoni, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide primary urgent care out-of-hours services to patients in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. Harmoni is committed to delivering high quality care to patients, in partnership with local GPs and other stakeholders.”

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Team is celebrating after a surge of people have used the service to kick the habit.

The team, based in various locations in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, has helped 1,593 people stop smoking since April last year<09> through the one-to-one support offered.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. We are so pleased to have helped so many smokers stop.

“We have more than met the target and have reached 101.9pc of the total numbers set out by the government – which was 1,562. The figures are particularly good as we had until June to reach the target but have already smashed through that goal. We did better than expected in only ¾ of the time allowed.

“We are so proud of our wonderful team who have helped support so many smokers and have done such a great job.”

The Stop Smoking Team offers free support and sessions in the daytime and evening.

Miss Snelgrove added: “We know that one in three adults smoke in Great Yarmouth alone yet smoking is responsible for so many long-term conditions our doctors see everyday.

“Smokers are four times more likely to quit if they use a NHS service. We are keen to do even better next year with the number of people who quit in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

“Anyone considering smoking to contact us to find out more. The service is free, but smokers can also get nicotine replacement therapy and access to stop smoking medication at the cost of a prescription – just over £7. This is far cheaper than buying your own.”

The Stop Smoking Team is a dedicated service offering flexible support and one to one help. Evening sessions and daytime sessions are offered during a range of times and locations.
If you are thinking about stopping smoking text Quit to 65000 or call 01493 452067.
Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health chiefs have described a decrease in child obesity levels in Great Yarmouth and Waveney as “a step in the right direction” while reminding people of the raft of free help available through their local NHS.

Latest statistics show that the number of reception age children classed as obese fell from 10.4% in 2007/08 to 9.6% in 2008/09. During the same time period, obesity levels in year 6 pupils fell from 19.6% to 18.9%.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “This decrease is a positive step in the right direction, and one on which we can continue to build in the years to come. However, we will not become complacent as we still have a long way to go in helping make sure children and adults alike can maintain a healthy weight.

“Being overweight seriously damages people’s health. In children, this can lead to major problems later in life, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. As such, we are committed to supporting families to help their children move towards a healthy weight.

“Changing our behaviour and the way we live our lives is not easy, but there is plenty of support available locally for anyone who needs it. We a number of initiatives in place to encourage healthy eating and exercise, all of which are free and can make a real difference. Some of these are tailored specifically towards children, such as MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition… Do it!) and Activ8 It Plus, and are proven to work extremely well.

“We would encourage anyone who would like extra help to lead a healthier lifestyle to get in touch and find out more about taking those all important first steps.”

As well as programmes for children, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney also runs a variety of weight management courses for adults. These include the LIFE programme and Do Something Different, which concentrates on changing people’s behaviour rather than focusing on dieting.

For more information on any of these programmes, visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk or contact the Healthy Life team on 01493 859205 or by email at gyw-pct.healthylife@nhs.net. To sign up for the Do Something Different progamme, call 0800 027 6413, text CHANGE to 65000 or email change@dsdeast.co.uk

For your nearest MEND programme, visit www.mendprogramme.org

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

People in Great Yarmouth and Waveney are being offered all the help they need to stop smoking once and for all – simply by dropping into their local pharmacy.

During the next few weeks, fully qualified stop smoking advisors from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney will be visiting pharmacies throughout the area to offer customers the chance to join a free stop smoking treatment programme.

Tracey Read, Health Promoter from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We would encourage anyone who has thought about stopping smoking or would like to do so to come along to one of these sessions and find out how we can help.

“Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of death in the UK and can also cause significant health problems and illness. Many smokers find it very difficult to stop – but getting the right help and support from the NHS can significantly increase your chances of success, leaving you feeling fitter, healthier and happier.”

Miss Read and her colleagues will be at the following pharmacies over the coming weeks:
• Thursday 25 March, 11am to 2pm – Boots, London Road North, Lowestoft
• Friday 26 March, 9am to 12noon – Superdrug, the Britten Centre, Lowestoft
• Wednesday 7 April, 11am to 2pm – Boots, Market Gates Shopping Centre, Great Yarmouth
• Friday 9 April, 11am to 2pm – Asda, Acle New Road, Great Yarmouth

“The stop smoking advisor will speak to you in a private consultation room and the information is confidential,” added Miss Read. “There’s no medical procedure – we just give the best help for that person.

“We’ll also be giving everyone who comes along some healthy lifestyle information about free courses available to them in the area they live.

“There are so many things people can do to improve their lifestyle – we’ll be more than happy to talk through some of these options and offer information on the programmes available through the NHS.”

To sign up for help from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Service, text QUIT to 65000 or call 01493 452067.

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

The Board of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s is to hold its next public meeting in Great Yarmouth.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 24 March at 12.30pm. It will be held in the first floor Church Hall at Christ Church in King Street, Great Yarmouth. Everyone is welcome to attend. A lift to the first floor is available.

Agenda papers for the meeting will be posted on the PCT’s website, at www.gywpct.nhs.uk, a few days before the meeting.

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients across Great Yarmouth and Waveney are being urged to take up the offer of a free health check.

Letters are being sent out to people aged 40 to 74 inviting them to book an appointment with their GP for the check, which assesses a person’s risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

People are being encouraged to have the free check which involves questions and measurements including height, weight, medication, age, family history and blood pressure.

Nazim Khan, project manager of the Health Check scheme for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “If you receive a letter please do contact your GP practice and book in for the check. It’s a great opportunity and only takes about 25 minutes.
“Your doctor will talk to you about your medical history, carry out a lifestyle questionnaire, a physical examination including taking your blood pressure and measure your Body Mass Index (BMI).
“It’s also a great opportunity to ask your doctor questions you may have been concerned about.”

The checks are part of a national programme and will be carried out every five years so people can see how their lifestyle continues to affect their overall health. Each check will conclude with an action plan including practical advice on ways to effectively improve health and wellbeing.

Mr Khan added: “The check is all about assessing future risk that could be prevented now.
“Members of the public could be carrying on with their normal lives but have an underlying illness which if not addressed at the early stages could cause complications later in life.
“We are trying to find these patients through the health check scheme.
“There is a long term advantage to the early diagnosis for both the patient and the NHS, the NHS with a reduction in complex operations, and the patient for better well being.
“This check could save your life. Don’t ignore the letter.”

Everyone who visits their GP practice for the health check in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area will be able to discuss ways of improving health. A take away guide of useful information on free programmes offered by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney will be given to anyone who has a health check. The guide offers information about weight-management programmes, exercise programmes and the free stop smoking service which you can contact by texting QUIT to 65000.

A downloadable leaflet is available through the Department of Health’s website detailing the reasons why you should have the check. Leaflets are available on the site in other languages including Polish, Russian, Portuguese and Turkish.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_097490

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

People in Great Yarmouth and Waveney will receive treatment within set time periods following the addition of new legal rights for patients within the NHS Constitution.

The Department of Health announced on Monday that all NHS patients will have the right to maximum waiting times for elective treatment and urgent cancer referrals. Where this is not possible, the NHS will look for an alternative provider to carry out the treatment.

The new addition to the NHS Constitution will come into force from 1 April. It gives patients a legal right to start treatment with a consultant within 18 weeks of referral from their GP or to be referred to a cancer specialist within two weeks of an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer.

If this is not possible, the NHS will be legally obliged to take all reasonable steps to offer them a range of alternative providers.

David Edwards OBE, Chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “This is an important addition to the NHS Constitution, which outlines in detail the rights of our patients and the improvements which they can expect.

“These waiting time entitlements will ensure that patients can continue to get rapid access to the best possible care, which is excellent news for the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.”

A further right will be added to the Constitution in April 2012, giving all eligible people aged between 40 and 74-years-old the right to an NHS health check every five years. This proposal was supported by nearly 80% of those who responded to the consultation.

The consultation also received support for future rights on evening and weekend access to GPs, access to NHS dentistry, and the right to key diagnostic tests for patients suspected of having cancer within one week of seeing a GP, with an interim milestone of two weeks. These ideas will be taken forward by the Department of Health as proposals for consultation in the future.

Ends
Note to editors:

• ‘The NHS Constitution: Government response to consultation on new patient rights’ is available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_113608

• The consultation document ‘The NHS Constitution: A consultation on new patient rights’ can be found at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Closedconsultations/DH_108012

• 87% of respondents to the national consultation were supportive of the rights on maximum waiting times and 78% of respondents to the national consultation were supportive of the right to an NHS health check.

• Any future rights will be subject to a full public consultation.

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

People in Beccles are being given the chance to find out their body mass index (BMI) and take a free mini health check during a drop in event next Thursday (18 March).

The event, at Beccles Pharmacy in St Mary’s Road, will run from 11am until 2pm. Everyone is welcome to drop in to find out their BMI, and can also have a mini health check at the same time, which includes blood pressure and lung capacity.

Hosted by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Thursday’s checks follow on from four successful events held earlier this year in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The sessions have been organised as part of an ongoing obesity campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.

Tracey Read, health promoter from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We would encourage anyone who is worried about their weight or just curious to find out what their BMI measurement may be to come along to this session.

“Finding out your BMI is quick and simple. All we need to do is measure your height and weight, all of which takes place in a private consultation room and is completely confidential. The result will provide you with a good indicator about any future health risks you may face, giving you the chance to take action if you need to.

“We’ll also be using the event to hand out lots of healthy lifestyle information, including details of the services available in your area – all of which are completely free and can have a big impact on your health and wellbeing.”

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney provide a range of free lifestyle programmes. These include the stop smoking service, which is available by texting QUIT to 65000 or calling 01493 452067, and the new “do something different” programme for people with a BMI of 27 to 40 who may have struggled with other “diets”. For more information text CHANGE to 65000, call 0800 027 6413 or email change@dsdeast.co.uk

Miss Read added: “There are so many things people can do to improve their BMI and we will be more than happy to talk through some of these options and offer information on the programmes available through the NHS.”

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Smokers interested in quitting are being urged to use No Smoking Day as their moment to stop.

Health bosses from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are inviting anyone thinking of quitting to contact their Stop Smoking Team and begin their journey as a non-smoker.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 10 is an ideal time to quit.
“Our Stop Smoking Team offers free support for those people keen to quit who may keep toying with the idea but never get round to it. Why not say from Wednesday you have quit and use our free services to help you.”

Every year more than a million people quit on No Smoking Day.

Ms Snelgrove added: “It often takes several attempts to stop but you’re not alone – those who have successfully quit were in the same place as you now.
“Don’t stop trying as you will notice improvements to your health, have more energy, more money, stop premature aging, have whiter teeth reduce your stress levels and find that your sense of taste and smell improves. And that’s just about you – stopping smoking is also about your family and those around you.
“Do you really want your children thinking smoking is an acceptable thing to do? We know youngsters who have parents that smoke are far more likely to smoke when they’re older.”

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Service offers free support and anyone signed up is able to get nicotine replacement therapy and access to stop smoking medication at the cost of a prescription – just over £7.

Smokers can call 01493 452067 or text QUIT to 65000 to find out more or go to their local pharmacy, GP surgery, walk in centre or community and health centres to sign up.

Ms Snelgrove added: “Using the service and getting nicotine replacement therapy and stop smoking medication through the team is far cheaper than you’ll pay over the counter in a supermarket or chemist and the team offer flexible support and one-to-one help.

“Smokers are four times more likely to quit if they do it through a NHS service.”
If you are thinking about stopping smoking text Quit to 65000 or call 01493 452067.
Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Thousands of patients across Great Yarmouth and Waveney are being informed about a new type of health record being created.

Anyone registered with a GP from the age of 15 and a half will receive a letter from March 12 telling them about the new Summary Care Record (SCR) which is created using GP notes.

The record will contain details of medication, allergies and adverse reactions to medication and have been created so clinicians needing access to information are able to get this in an urgent situation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jo Angell, summary care record project manager for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “There are many benefits of the records but primarily they aim to improve patient care where treatment occurs in settings currently without access to a shared record, for example A&E departments, out-of-hours services, walk-in centres and ambulance services.

“The record will only be accessible to NHS staff who have a legitimate relationship with the particular patient.”

The secure electronic records are currently being launched across the whole country on an assumed opt-in from patients.

Mrs Angell added: “Everyone registered with a GP will have a record created unless they opt out.

“Letters will be sent to all those registered with a GP informing them of the record and explaining the assumed opt in of the scheme. Once you receive the letter you have 12 weeks to reply and say you would not like the record created. However, if you do not respond, or you haven’t had a letter and are registered at a practice then you need to get in touch to say you’d like to opt out.
“If we hear nothing – a record will be created.”

Patients can opt out at any time in the future but the records will provide a safe way of finding out life-saving information during an urgent situation when the GP’s notes may be unavailable.

Members of the community can find out more about the scheme by visiting
www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/scr calling NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Patient and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01502 719501 or emailing gyw-pct.pals@nhs.net

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Thousands of girls have been immunised against potentially fatal cervical cancer – thanks to a highly successful programme which has used a range of innovative methods to encourage teens to take up the vaccination.

Since September 2009, around 7,500 girls across Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been given the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. As well as vaccinating 94% of all year 8 pupils, nurses have also given the protection to more than 75% of year 9, 10 and 11 pupils, as well as those no longer in full time education.

The figures place NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney as among the best performing PCTs in the east of England, and come following the introduction of a range of new initiatives to raise awareness of the injection and encourage its take up. These include:

• writing, ringing and texting pupils to remind them about the vaccination;
• regular campaigns on local radio stations;
• displaying posters in hairdressers, beauty salons and tanning centres;
• putting information in shop changing rooms;
• hosting educational sessions for girls and their parents and signposting them to further sources of information;
• holding pink-themed days in schools to remind pupils;
• offering the vaccination during weekends and evenings; and
• holding vaccination sessions at venues within the community, such as children’s centres, hospitals, colleges and community centres.

Marisa Fox, Team Leader for Children’s Services with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Community Services, said: “Cervical cancer affects more than 2,000 people a year in the UK and causes around 400 deaths.

“The HPV vaccine offers long-term protection against the viruses which cause about 70% of cervical cancers – which is why it is so important that as many young girls as possible take up the chance for immunisation.

“We have introduced all sorts of different innovations to help get our vaccination message across, including making the service as flexible as possible by holding sessions out of normal office hours and in convenient locations within the community. We’ve also been doing home visits to some of the girls who aren’t in education, and hold regular information sessions for parents so that we can answer any questions they may have.

“We’ve reached 7,500 girls in this academic year alone, and are absolutely delighted that we have had such huge numbers taking up the vaccine, which will offer protection from this serious illness for many years to come.”

Ends

Note to editors: Human papilloma virus is a very common sexually transmitted virus which causes 99% of invasive cervical cancer. The vaccine protects against the viruses responsible for about 70% of cases.

To make sure the vaccine gives maximum protection, it must be administered before the start of sexual activity. Three doses are given over a six month period.

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Even more parents are getting vital information about whether their children are a healthy weight after NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney topped the regional table for the number of youngsters taking part in a nationwide measurement initiative.

During 2008/09, 96.3% of reception year children across the PCT area took part in the National Child Measurement Programme – the highest in the east of England. For year 6 pupils, the PCT came second in the region, recording a participation rate of 93.1%.

The figures are a significant increase from the previous year, when 86% of reception children and 90% of year 6 pupils took part. It comes following a drive to ensure parents are fully informed about the programme, along with the benefits it could bring them.

At the same time, the PCT has recorded a slight decrease in the number of children classed as obese in both age groups – from 10.4% in 2007/08 to 9.6% in 2008/09 for reception year and 19.6% to 18.9% in year 6.

Marisa Fox, Team Leader for Children’s Services with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Community Services, said: “We are committed to supporting families to help their children move towards a healthy weight, as being overweight seriously damages people’s health. In children, this can lead to major problems later in life, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

“The National Child Measurement Programme is an important tool for both raising awareness of these potential problems and aiding parents in helping their child maintain a healthy weight.

“We have been working hard to educate parents about the reasons the programme is in place, and have also liaised closely with the schools to make sure the measurements take place at a time convenient to them. We’re delighted that these efforts have been reflected in the increasing number of families taking part.

“We also make sure that every parent in the area is given a raft of information about the small steps they can take to improve their family’s health and wellbeing, as well as details on where to go if they need more help.

“There are a number of initiatives in place both inside and out of school to encourage healthy eating and exercise, all of which are free and can make a real difference. We would urge anyone who would like extra help to lead a healthier lifestyle to speak to their school nurse or visit our website for further information.”

A raft of information about healthy lifestyle initiatives running across the area, including the MEND programme and the work of the Community Nutrition Team, is available by visiting www.gywpct.nhs.uk and clicking on the “healthy lives” tab.

Ends


Note to editors:

1. The National Child Measurement Programme was set up to gather information to inform the local planning and delivery of children’s services. This data is also key to building a national picture of trends in growth patterns and obesity. The programme is a useful vehicle for getting children and families to actively pursue more healthy lifestyles and keep a healthy weight.

2. Trained staff, such as school nurses, oversee the measurement of the children, which is carried out in a sensitive way, with the measurements being taken in a separate room or screened off area. Pupils are not told about other pupils' weight and height and the results are not be shown to teachers or other school staff.

3. The results are held by local primary care trusts, along with some other information, including their date of birth and the school. The PCT will then send this information securely to the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, which looks after it on behalf of the Department of Health. During the upload to the Information Centre, data which could identify the child, such as their name and date of birth, are removed or changed. Once the Information Centre has this anonymous information, it is analysed to look at trends in children's height and weight across England.

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is encouraging private foster parents to get help, advice and support from their local council in the run up to the launch of the national “somebody else’s child” campaign which starts next week.

Private fostering happens when a child who is not a close relative or member of your family lives in your home for more than 28 days. As part of the new campaign, everyone who is privately fostering has been urged to inform their local county council so that the needs of the child can be met and parents can be offered advice.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has lent its support to the initiative, which aims to raise awareness of private fostering and the responsibilities which fall upon the foster parent.

Pam Fenner, Director of Nursing and Quality at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Protecting the safety and wellbeing of our young people is of primary importance, which is why we’re lending our support to this national campaign.

“We are urging anyone who is privately fostering to contact their local county council and let them know. The council will then offer you help, advice and support while making sure the needs of the child or young person are fully met.”

New regulations for private fostering were introduced following the death of Victoria Climbie, who was privately fostered. All local authorities have a duty to satisfy themselves that the welfare of the children concerned is being satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted.

Failure by a private foster carer, or parent, to notify a local authority of a private fostering arrangement is an offence.

If you live in Waveney and think you have a child, or know of a child who is in a private fostering arrangement, please contact Suffolk County Council’s customer first team on 0808 800 4005. In Norfolk, please call Norfolk Care Connect on 0344 800 8014.

For more information on private fostering, visit http://www.privatefostering.org.uk/

Ends

Note to editors: Private fostering takes place when a child under the age of 16 who is not a close relative of family member lives in someone else’s home for more than 28 days. If the person has a disability, the age bracket is extended to 18 years old.

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Anyone who has suffered a minor injury, such as a cut, bite, burn, sprain or strain, can be treated at a nearby minor injury unit rather than rushing off to A&E.

Minor injury units at Beccles Hospital or the Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth act as faster alternatives to A&E and offer “efficient and convenient” treatment.

Members of the community are urged to use the minor injury units rather than clog up larger hospitals or GP practices.

Mary Hardman, Deputy Director of Adult Services for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Services, said: “If you need efficient, convenient treatment for a cut, bite, burn, sprain or strain, your local minor injuries unit can help.
“During this time of year there is added pressure on GP practices, hospitals and out-of-hours services because more people are prone to illness, flu and falls.
“The units at Beccles and Halesworth are a faster alternative to A&E which are staffed by fully trained nurses with extensive emergency experience.
“You don’t need an appointment and can drop in at any time during opening hours.”

The units can provide advice and treat a wide range of injuries, including:

• cuts, grazes and lacerations
• sprains and strains
• splinters
• bites and stings (including human bites)
• minor head injuries
• eye problems
• foreign bodies in eyes, noses and ears
• burns and scalds and
• nose bleeds

Ms Hardman added: “Due to the bad weather we know many people have suffered small injuries such as falls and sprains but rather than wait hours at A&E – you can go to one of the units and be treated there.”

The unit at Patrick Stead, Bungay Road, Halesworth, IP19 8HP, is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and is available by ringing 01986 872124.
The unit at Beccles Hospital, St Mary's Road, Beccles, NR34 9NQ, is open seven days a week between 8am to 8pm and can be contacted on 01502 719821.

Ms Hardman added: “Anyone who may be suffering from an illness should contact their GP or pharmacist for treatment advice or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk”
Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Exercise sessions are being offered throughout Great Yarmouth and Waveney to encourage people with health problems to improve their wellbeing through physical activity.

The Exercise Referral Scheme provides a personalised programme which can benefit people who have physical or mental health conditions. The sessions are run over 12 weeks and are partly funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Kelly Burrage, Exercise Referral Coordinator from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The scheme is for people who have existing health problems. The aim is to improve their long-term health.
“This isn’t free gym membership but it works through discounted sessions at a local gym in Great Yarmouth or Waveney with a qualified instructor.”

There are up to 20 sessions within the 12-week period which are discounted working out at approximately £2 to £3.

Miss Burrage added: “The instructor has an initial assessment with the individual, looking at their height, weight, blood pressure along with a wellbeing questionnaire and then a suitable programme of exercise will be planned.
“They complete up to 20 sessions over their 12-week programme then the individual has progress assessments half-way through and at the end.”

People who are interested in the scheme should talk to their GP or a health professional who will be able to refer them onto the scheme.

Danielle Woods, Exercise Referral Coordinator for NHS GYW, added: “There’s a lot of evidence backing physical activity in improving not only physical health but mental health too. It can help reduce physical symptoms and promote a longer, healthier life.
“The sessions are great as they provide an environment where people feel more confident to start exercising because they’re with an instructor.”

For more information contact the Exercise Referral Team on 01493 334711.

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

The Prime Minister has praised the work of a NHS project run across Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

As part of a visit to Great Yarmouth College to officially open the Alchemy Enterprise Centre on Monday<February 15> Gordon Brown was particularly impressed by the NHS Apprenticeship Scheme urging those involved to “keep up the good work.”

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Great Yarmouth College work in partnership to provide the apprenticeships across the area.

Mr Brown praised the project and spoke to several of the 100 people currently training as part of the scheme. Larissa Smith, a Human Resources assistant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, spoke to Mr Brown.

The 27-year-old, who started her apprenticeship with the NHS in September last year<2009> said: “He asked us lots of questions and was really friendly. It was nice that he took the time to talk to each person and show an interest in our courses. He asked where we studied – which for me is mainly on the job.
“He was really polite and it felt like ages when he was there talking to us but it was probably just a few minutes. At the end of our conversation he said keep up the good work”.

Gordon Brown also met with NHS GYW’s Chairman, David Edwards, Tracey Greenwood, Associate Director of Human Resources for NHS GYW, the JPUH’s Chairman, Kirk Lower, Director of Human Resources, two apprentices including Jason Parker, Service Desk Analyst and Susan Stillwell, Head and Neck Oncology Secretary who is taking a business administration apprenticeship.

John Hemming, Chairman at JPUH, said: “The apprenticeship scheme gives employees a valuable work-based qualification, improves their skills and enhances the level of care for patients.
“We have more than 70 apprentices working in many areas of the Trust, including in front line, IT and business administration roles.”

Mr Edwards, who started his career as an apprentice, added: “With the decline in big manufacturing we lost massive development opportunities for young people. We are bringing this back locally with 100 apprentices appointed with the local health service. Young people are our future and it’s a sensible investment.”

Ms Greenwood said: “I’m particularly pleased that Gordon Brown personally recognised the commitment that the NHS had made to apprentices within the area. He was particularly impressed with our partner working with the James Paget.”

Great Yarmouth College Principal, Robin Parkinson, said: “We have been working closely with our partners in the health service to develop the apprenticeship programme and I’m delighted we had the opportunity to showcase that to Mr Brown.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

“People with diabetes can find out more about what happens to them when their sugar levels increase and why they should control this.”

The sessions will be run across Great Yarmouth and Waveney in the day, evening and on Saturdays.

Dr Kathuria added: “About 50pc of people with diabetes don’t know what high sugars do to them. When we have told people who have had diabetes for some time this kind of information they have said ‘I wish I’d known this years ago.’

“We will also help people to understand more about the different tests they are given.”

Newly diagnosed people with diabetes who are keen to sign up for the course should speak to their GP or practice nurse to be referred onto the sessions.

Linda Caine, Head of Pathway Development and Clinical Engagement for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “Type II diabetes is a problem for many people in our local population. It seriously affects their quality of life, but they need to know that with high quality advice and information, they can take control of the condition and lessen its impact.

“NHS GYW is delighted that one of its GP practices is taking the lead in providing the DESMOND service.”

Any patient with a long term condition can log onto the Living Life website, www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk to find out more about their condition and access supporting information as well as user groups and community forums.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients with suspected swine flu will no longer be able to contact the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS).

Due to the drop in numbers of people reporting flu-like symptoms, from 1am tomorrow the telephone line and website will close.

This means patients who have flu-like symptoms and believe they have swine flu should stay at home and contact their doctor for a GP diagnosis. Patients are reminded not to go to their GP’s surgery but to contact them via telephone.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “People who believe they have swine flu and who are given a GP diagnosis will need to get a flu friend to collect their prescription from the doctor and then anti-viral medication from one of two pharmacies in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. The flu friend will be told which pharmacies will stock the medication.”

People can still call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Members of the community who are within priority groups for the vaccination are also being urged to take up the offer of the jab now.

Dr Diu added: “Although mortality rates from H1N1 influenza overall has been lower than in previous pandemics, deaths from H1N1 influenza among younger adults have been more than 30 times higher than deaths among the same age group in the 2008 flu season.”

“If you are in a priority group and have not had the vaccine then please reconsider and contact your GP for an appointment.”

The Department of Health has confirmed the priority groups for the vaccine are:
• People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.
• Pregnant women.
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer.
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus.
• Children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Members of the travelling communities, those from non-English speaking communities, sex workers or people who may not have a permanent address are being urged to have the swine flu vaccine if they need it by registering with a doctor.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “If you are within the priority group but have not been invited for the vaccine then please contact us to register with a doctor. It is really important for your health.

“Any member of a community group who may be engaged with ‘seldom heard groups’ or who may know someone within the priority groups should check with that individual to make sure they have had the option of having the vaccine.
“Anyone wishing to find out where their nearest doctor is can call 01502 719501 or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.”

To avoid catching Swine Flu or seasonal flu use a tissue to catch sneezes, dispose of used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands.

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) are celebrating after being awarded Fit For Business status for a second year running.

The health trust was the first organisation last year to gain Fit For Business status and has succeeded in securing the award again this year.

Fit For Business is a national award acknowledging effort within the workforce to improve physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and wellbeing, smoke free environments as well as drugs and alcohol awareness.

Staff at NHS GYW, as the primary care trust for the area, have been working towards the award by collecting points through a number of wellbeing initiatives.

Abi Howes, Workplace Health Promotion Practitioner for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The award is all about improving the health of staff members. It’s also about NHS staff setting an example.
“We are the first organisation which has been given this award which is fantastic. We’ve been working really hard over the last two years to try to improve the health and wellbeing of our staff members – nearly 1,000 in total for the primary care trust.”

To gain the award the Trust needed a minimum of 410 points but scored a total of 681 points.

Miss Howes added: “There were a number of one-off initiatives such as fitness assessments and BMI measurements for staff, including suggestions of how to improve their health, fruity Fridays and blood pressure checks.
“We also ran some longer initiatives over 12 weeks, such as a running club with the aim of taking part in the 10km East Coast Run and we added healthy recipes to our intranet for 12 weeks, which can still be accessed.”

Miss Howes worked with two “champions” within NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney to roll out the various events and groups.

Debora Carroll, HR Administrator, from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “If we are taking lots of time off sick it will leave healthcare settings short staffed and have a knock on effect – so we need to improve our own attitude to health as well as encourage others to do the same.”

Chris Lacey, Human Resources Officer, from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “The different initiatives make people feel good about themselves at the same time as having fun and make staff feel valued. Hopefully by setting the example of wanting to be healthier and fitter we can pass this on to the community we serve and show that we practice what we preach.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Smokers keen to quit are being offered support at a new evening clinic.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Team is starting a new evening clinic on Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm at the Cobholm and Lichfield Health and Resource Centre in Great Yarmouth.

The evening clinics will begin on Thursday, February 18 and have been set up for smokers who have struggled to join one of the day courses.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “The Stop Smoking Team offers free support for those people keen to quit. We know many smokers have found it difficult to fit in work and go along to a clinic so we have opened up another session to help those who may like to join.
“The service is free, but smokers can also get nicotine replacement therapy and access to stop smoking medication at the cost of a prescription – just over £7. This is far cheaper than buying your own.
“The Stop Smoking Team is a dedicated service offering flexible support and one to one help. Tuesday evening sessions are also offered at the team’s office in Police Station Road in Lowestoft and at Gorleston Library as well as through telephone support.”
Anyone keen to sign up for the Thursday evening session at the centre in Pasteur Road can call 01493 418290. Anyone interested in the other sessions or to find out more about the stop smoking service text Quit to 65000 or call 01493 452067.
Miss Snelgrove added: “Smokers are four times more likely to quit if they do it through a NHS service.”
If you are thinking about stopping smoking text Quit to 65000 or call 01493 452067.
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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients across Great Yarmouth and Waveney have said they are more satisfied with their doctor than in any other part of the region.

Members of the public across the east of England were asked to rate their GP over the last year on how satisfied they were.

The NHS East of England survey found that patients in the NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney area overall were 79.6pc satisfied with their GP. The figure was the highest for the whole of the East Anglian region.

Dr Jamie Wyllie, practising GP and Chair of the Clinical Executive Committee at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “It’s great news that so many of our local GP practices are getting it right for their patients.
“This survey places us at the top of the table for patient satisfaction in the east of England, so local people can see how important our practices consider their experience to be.
“I think it should make us proud of our practice teams and all the hard work they put in for their patients.”

Patients were asked five questions, including how satisfied they were with GP opening hours which they scored GPs in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area 85.4pc satisfied, seeing their preferred GP, which came in at 82.1pc and how able they were to see a doctor fairly quickly, which was scored 86.1pc.

Dr Wyllie added: “These results should also reassure everyone living in the area that they have access to some class leading services, which is a fantastic result. “Nonetheless I’m certain our practices will not rest on their laurels but will want to aim even higher. We want all of our patients to be happy with the services they receive which are bought for them by NHS GYW.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

People in Great Yarmouth and Waveney who cannot cook or may even be wary of preparing food are being invited to take up the offer of a free cooking course in their area.

Great Yarmouth Community Trust’s Community Nutrition Team is offering the chance to “get back to basics in the kitchen” and learn some key recipes and advice about food.

The CHEW course, which stands for Cook Healthy, Eat Well, runs for five sessions across five separate weeks and can be offered for free in any community kitchen to teach people key cooking skills.

CHEW is funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) so anyone attending the sessions can go for free.

Sarah Barnes, Health Improvement Manager for NHS GYW, said: “CHEW is all about building confidence in the kitchen and relearning the basics around food and cooking using cheap, nutritious ingredients and easy recipes.”

Helen Johnston, Community Nutritionist from the Great Yarmouth Community Trust, said: “CHEW is about confidence and skills so people can take care of their children, save money on their food shopping, and try to overcome that lost feeling of it being 5pm and not having a clue what's for dinner. “This course is really at a grass routes level for those who aren't accessing other support with cooking.”

The sessions are run by “Community Cooks” who are volunteers newly trained for the CHEW experience. The Community Cooks are overseen by the community nutritionists who are able to offer more information about food groups, what is good to eat and why.

CHEW sessions involve making soup and pasta, working with mince, as well as making curries and casseroles. All the recipes are easy, healthy and cheap.

Becky Amies, Community Nutritionist from the Great Yarmouth Community Trust, said: “Every lesson we cook a meal together and then eat it together. It’s not fancy cooking, it’s good basic cooking that people can actually do in a short amount of time.
“A whole range of people have been on the course and we encourage anyone to sign up for a free place.
“We have had elderly men who have lost their wives and not very confident in the kitchen. We’ve had young parents who need to cook for their families and can learn all about making meals at the CHEW sessions. Anyone is welcome.”

The sessions run throughout the year and can be set up in a specific area if there is the demand.

Mrs Barnes added: “Sometimes it’s very difficult to learn these kinds of skills from scratch.
“If you’re preparing food you’re probably not just making it for yourself so what great skills to pass onto your children once you’ve been on the course.”

To sign up or find out more call 01493 852200 or email nutrition@gyctrust.co.uk

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Service has been ranked the second best in the region.

Figures released in the last few days show that the service was placed 39 out of 163 national services – and second best in the east of England region.

The figures, published by the Department of Health, show that 1,545 people per 100,000 in the population pledged to quit through the free NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Stop Smoking Team between April 2009 and September 2009.

After four weeks 821 per 100,000 of the population had still stopped, totally 53pc.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “We are really pleased with these figures and are keen to encourage others to sign up. Any smoker who is thinking about quitting should contact us.
“The service is free, but smokers can also get nicotine replacement therapy and access to stop smoking medication at the cost of a prescription – just over £7. This is far cheaper than buying your own.
“The Stop Smoking Team is a dedicated service offering flexible support and one to one help. Tuesday evening sessions are offered at the team’s office in Police Station Road in Lowestoft and at Gorleston Library as well as through telephone support.”
NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Service offers free support for smokers.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “I am very pleased by these results and I know Vicki and her team have worked very hard to encourage uptake for the service.

“Our efforts have been commended on a regional level by NHS East of England as the strategic health authority and we have been invited to do a presentation to the rest of the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in the East of England on how we have managed to turn this service around so we can share our good practice.”

Smokers are four times more likely to quit if they do it through a NHS service.
The team is also travelling around the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area offering face to face information sessions in supermarkets and public places over the next few days.
If you are thinking about stopping smoking text Quit to 65000 or call 01493 452067.
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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

People living with dementia in Suffolk are being given extra support through three new specialist workers.

The three Dementia Support Advisors will begin working at the end of January covering the Lowestoft and Mid Suffolk areas.

The new posts are part of a joined up approach to dementia care support with Suffolk County Council, NHS Suffolk and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney working together to improve services.

Councillor Colin Noble, Portfolio Holder for Adult & Community Services at Suffolk County Council, said: “I am delighted that we are able to put in place services that people with dementia and their family carers have told us they would value.”

The services will provide a single point of reference for people with dementia and their family carers, giving people an opportunity to explore what services they may need and how to get them, and also to plan how best to manage their condition as it progresses.

Chris Humphris, Deputy Director of Commissioning for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Depending on their locality, people can be referred, or make a referral, to the Dementia Support Advisors in a number of ways.
“They can be referred through their GP, Age Concern, the Alzheimer’s Society and from other clinicians, such as those clinicians discharging people from Carlton Court in Lowestoft.”

Sharon Stott, Head of Commissioning Development (specialised services) at NHS Suffolk, added: “This is an important contribution to our overall efforts to support increasing numbers of people who are living with dementia. It is so important that people get timely advice and practical help so that they can avoid much of the worry and stress that this condition can involve.”

Members of NHS Suffolk, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and Suffolk County Council produced a Suffolk Joint Dementia Strategy to help identify the key needs in the county, along with ways to improve services for people who are newly diagnosed, living with dementia and those towards the end of their life. The Dementia Support Advisors are part of the work outlined in the strategy.

The Alzheimer’s Society, Age Concern, Brett Stour, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust gave input into the development of the strategy.

Penny Simmonds, Services Manager at the Suffolk Alzheimer's Society, said: “The Dementia Adviser Service provides a clear route for people with dementia to access services and complements the other activities we provide in Lowestoft and surrounding areas."

Councillor Noble added: “During the development of Suffolk’s Joint Dementia Strategy we were clearly told that people often feel isolated and confused as to which services could help and support them, and also that they wanted appropriate information at relevant times.
“The Dementia Support Adviser Services being established with Age Concern in mid-Suffolk and the Alzheimer’s Society, Lowestoft Branch will allow for such support to be available.”

The advisors will be based at different locations and will be working for either Age Concern or the Alzheimer’s Society.

Micki Munro, Older People’s Services Manager (Waveney) for the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “With the increasing number of people living with dementia in the area due to increase the role of the dementia support advisor is a valuable one. The Trust is very pleased to have one of the advisors based at its Carlton Court facility to provide guidance to the carers and families of our service users.”

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The Nelson Medical Centre will complete its relocation to its new £2m home at Cobholm and Lichfield on Monday (1 February) as the doors of the new health centre open to patients for the very first time.

During the past six weeks, the building’s modern consulting rooms, clinical treatment areas, reception and waiting rooms have been fitted out with equipment and furniture.

From Monday, all health services which have been based at the Nelson Medical Centre on Churchill Road will transfer to the new premises so that patients from across Great Yarmouth can continue to access convenient, high quality healthcare.

David Edwards OBE, Chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, which funded the project, said: “This project has been a huge success, running both on time and to budget. We are delighted to have been able to provide the funding for what promises to be a fantastic new facility for patients and staff alike.

“The Cobholm and Lichfield centre will provide a modern environment from which high quality, convenient and easily accessible healthcare services can be delivered to people from across Great Yarmouth, as and when they need them.”

As well as housing GP services, the energy efficient new building will include a minor operation room, meeting room and shared clinical facilities which will be used by nurses working within the community. The new services will be delivered alongside the existing health and resource centre and nursery run by NWES for the community and on behalf of the Bridge Trust, owners of the building.

Current services offered from the neighbouring resource centre, which include adult education, family mediation and stop smoking clinics, will continue. The centre will also still host a variety of groups, including a diabetes support group, older persons network and Parkinsons support group.

Lindsey Smith, Practice Manager at the Nelson Medical Centre, said: “We look forward to welcoming our patients, both old and new, into the new practice.”

Patients with pre-booked appointments from 1 February will need to attend the new practice on Pasteur Road, next to the Cobholm and Lichfield Health and Resource Centre. The premises on Churchill Road will close its doors on Friday 29 January at 12pm. The new telephone number for the practice is 01493 419600.

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Health bosses and council officers are teaming up together for a new sheltered housing development in Great Yarmouth.

The brown field site in Estcourt Road, Great Yarmouth was previously occupied by the now demolished isolation ward of Northgate Hospital which closed in the 1960s.

The land, which is 0.4 hectare or the size of two football pitches, is owned by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW), but health bosses are keen to sell the unused land on the basis that it will be developed into housing with support for people with mental health problems.

Andy Peck, Head of Estates and Risk for NHS GYW, said: “This project will maximise the potential of what is currently surplus land for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
“The land will unlock government money, which will be developed on the basis of sheltered housing for the Great Yarmouth area.
“We know this housing is needed in Great Yarmouth and there is a huge shortfall at the moment. Having more sheltered housing will help reduce the pressures in the health services. Currently there is very little resource for people with mental health problems who need housing.
“It is key to improving care in the future.”

Members of the public, local householders or people who work in the Great Yarmouth area are being invited to a public display of information about the proposed development on Wednesday, February 3 from 4pm – 7pm at Great Yarmouth High School, Salisbury Road, in the Main Hall.

The developer will be working closely with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to submit a planning application for the development in the next couple of months. Once the planning application has submitted there will be a 13-week approval period.

Bob Peck, Great Yarmouth Borough Council Cabinet member for Community, said: "We have been working hard with partner agencies to move this scheme forward as it will play an essential role in providing specialist accommodation and support for people with mental health needs who are being discharged from hospital or another care setting.
“Many of these individuals have not lived independently before, or have found doing so a challenge, and it has historically been difficult to house them within the borough to best meet their needs, but this scheme will make that a thing of the past.”

Rachel Newson, Director of Business Development at Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust added: “I am really pleased to see the needs of vulnerable people have been recognised through the provision of housing in this positive community development.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health bosses in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have outlined their public pledges for the next five years.

Tackling smoking, obesity, cancer and offering health checks for 40 to 74-year-olds are just some of the areas health chiefs from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney will focus on.

The pledges are being made as part of the organisation’s Five-Year Strategy.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health, said: “As a primary care trust – which means we buy services for patients in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area – we have set out this long term plan because we want to have the fastest improving health in the region.

“We want to achieve a 20pc reduction in inequalities for our community, we want to improve access and choice for patients as well as improve quality and safety.

“We plan to do this by leading the way in a large number of projects including the improvement of dementia services, maintaining the high access to dentistry we already have in this area, improving the uptake of the immunisations we provide and to tackle tobacco control and teenage pregnancy.”

The five-year plan will go to NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s public board meeting on Wednesday for approval.

The document also includes a focus on working with seldom heard groups and from November last year NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney employed a specialist health visitor to work specifically with travellers, migrant workers and other seldom heard groups in the area. The Trust also employs a health trainer working specifically with seldom heard groups.

Dr Lipp added: “The strategy is a really important document for pinning down services in the future. A big part of the work laid out for the future is to help people manage their own long-term conditions outside hospital. Last year we set up a website for long-term conditions (www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk). We have recently introduced personal health plans for people with long-term conditions so they can take charge of their own healthcare.

“It is also about improving the quality of services, ensuring patient safety is a priority and improving access.”

Dr Jamie Wyllie, Chair of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Clinical Executive Committee, said: “As a practising local GP I wholeheartedly support this Five-Year Strategy.
“NHS GYW is focusing on the right areas to improve the health of the population we serve and although economic times for the NHS are difficult I am excited by these plans.
“I’m particular encouraged by the fact that we are paying ever more attention to helping patients managing their long-term illnesses themselves, and trying to prevent illnesses before they arise where that is possible.”

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People affected by dementia are being invited to an open meeting on Wednesday to hear more about the proposed Norfolk Dementia Strategy and the priorities for the future of health and social care.

Anyone living with dementia, working with dementia or who has an interest in dementia can hear more about the proposals for the future, what areas of dementia care will be prioritised, as well as raise their views on dementia care at the meeting in The Kings Centre, Queen Anne’s Road, Great Yarmouth at 4pm.

Health and social care bosses from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, NHS Norfolk and Norfolk County Council will speak about a joint strategy for the future of services as part of a public consultation around a draft joint commissioning strategy Living Well with Dementia.

Geoff Empson, Commissioning Officer for Norfolk County Council and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We know that dementia is going to be a growing problem in the future and that more and more people are going to have it – especially with people living longer.

“We need to diagnose people as early as possible and ensure joined up working among the organisations so we try to make the system as simple as possible for people coming through.”

The public meeting on Wednesday is part of an ongoing consultation about the plans until February 22, 2010.

Dementia is caused when parts of the brain stop working properly. There is no cure for the condition, which gets more common with age.

Chris Humphris, Deputy Director of Commissioning for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We really want people to come to the meeting on Wednesday and hear what the plans are for the Great Yarmouth area, but also to use that opportunity to talk to us about their views.

“We are in the planning stage for the future and it is really important we have all the information now when deciding on services for the area for the coming years.

“We will have a further consultation in the spring for the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area.”

There have been a number of public meetings held all over Norfolk as part of the consultation. After Wednesday’s event in Great Yarmouth there will be one more public meeting at The Assembly Rooms, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RQ on February 10, 2010, from 4pm to 7pm.

Last year, the number of people aged 65 and over in Norfolk predicted to have dementia stood at nearly 13,000. It is predicted that this number will rise to more than 20,000 in 2025 - an increase of more than 62 per cent, higher than the predicted national increase of 51 per cent. However, dementia also affects people aged 65 and under - an estimated 400 younger people have dementia, some of whom also have learning difficulties.

To have your say visit www.yournorfolkyoursay.org

Alternatively consultation documents with feedback forms are also available from Norfolk County Council's social services department on 01603 228847 and should be returned to: Living Well with Dementia, Freepost, PLZE-CLES-GKSL, Norwich, NR1 2SQ.

After the public’s views have been collated, and the draft strategy has been approved by all partners, it is expected the strategy will be finalised in spring 2010.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Smokers keen to quit can sign up for a free stop smoking service at their local supermarket.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Stop Smoking Team will be based at supermarkets and in public areas throughout the next few weeks.

Smokers who are thinking about stopping can talk to the team about quitting and find out more the service. Sue Trohear, Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “You are four times more likely to quite if you do it with the help of the NHS.

“The Stop Smoking Team is a dedicated service offering flexible support and one to one help. We also offer Tuesday evening sessions at our office in Police Station Road in Lowestoft and at Gorleston Library as well as telephone support.”

The service is free, but smokers can also get nicotine replacement therapy and access to stop smoking medication at the cost of a prescription.

Mrs Trohear added: “If we feel nicotine patches or similar are appropriate we can offer two week’s worth to the person for the price of a prescription, just over £7 – so coming to us is saving money rather than just going it alone.”

The face to face sessions information sessions will be taking place in supermarkets and public places over the next few days. The team will be in the Britten Centre, Lowestoft tomorrow<Friday 23 January>, in Asda, Lowestoft on Tuesday<January 26>, Great Yarmouth market place on Wednesday<January 27>, Asda in Lowestoft on Thursday and Friday until 1pm<January 28/29> and the Britten Centre next Saturday<January 30>.

The team will also be out and about in the area throughout February.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “It’s really important for us to be out and about in the community so people can see what we have to offer.

“The service is about tailored support for the individual.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk

Dr Tim Morton, a GP at Beccles Medical Centre, said: “Most parents have realised that this is a safe well-tested vaccine and children are most vulnerable to this particular virus.
“The Swine Flu Pandemic fortunately hasn't been as bad as first feared but has resulted in a few deaths and many hospital admissions in this age group and the virus is likely to circulate in the community for many months if not years so it would seem prudent and sensible to offer protection to this age group.”

The vaccine is available at all GP practices following a local agreement between doctors and the primary care trust, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, to offer the jab to the thousands of children in the age bracket.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “In line with Department of Health guidance, we began rolling out the swine flu vaccination for children aged between six months and five years old at the start of this year.
“I would urge all parents and carers with children under five to contact their GP and book an appointment for the vaccination. It is really important to help protect your child’s health, your health, and indeed the health of those around you too. Remember, if you can’t catch swine flu, you can’t pass it on to anyone else!
“GPs have plenty of vaccine available for everyone in the priority groups and are ordering additional supplies as and when they need them.”

The Department of Health has confirmed the priority groups for the vaccine are:

• People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.
• Pregnant women.
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer.
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus.
• Children aged six months to five years.

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should not contact their GP, but should instead ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

To help avoid catching swine flu or seasonal flu use a tissue to catch sneezes, dispose of used tissues, where germs can linger, and regularly wash your hands.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk

BMI is a calculated measurement using a person’s weight and height. The measurement is an indicator of how healthy their weight and height is, ranging from underweight through to morbidly obese.

Tracey Read, Health Promoter from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “If you’re worried about your weight or even curious to find out what your BMI measurement might be – or even your child’s weight – then please do come along to one of the sessions and we can work it out for you.
“It’s really important people take up this opportunity to find out what their BMI is. Knowing the measurement – which is in the form of a numeric figure is an important indicator of future health risks.”

Miss Read and her colleagues will be at Boots in Market Gates Shopping Centre in Great Yarmouth from 11am to 2pm on Wednesday, January 27, at Asda Pharmacy in Acle New Road, Great Yarmouth from 11am to 2pm on Friday, January 29, Boots in London Road North, Lowestoft from 11am to 2pm on Thursday, February 4 and Superdrug Pharmacy in The Britten Centre from 11am to 2pm on Friday, February 5.

Miss Read added: “The free BMI calculation will be worked out in a private consultation room and the information is confidential. There’s no medical procedure – we just use the weight and height information from that person.
“The checks are part of the obesity campaign and everyone will be given some healthy lifestyle information about free courses available to them in the area they live.”
NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney provide a range of free lifestyle programmes including the Stop Smoking Service, which people can sign up for by texting QUIT to 65000 or calling 01493 452067 and the new Do Something Different programme for people with a BMI of 27 to 40 who may have struggled with other “diets”. For more information text CHANGE to 65000, call 0800 027 6413 or email change@dsdeast.co.uk to sign up or find out more.
Miss Read added: “There are so many things people can do to improve their BMI and we will be more than happy to talk through some of these options and offer information on the programmes available through the NHS.”
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Radiotherapy patients across Norfolk and Waveney are being urged to come forward and comment on their treatment.

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, NHS Norfolk and the Anglia Cancer Network want to hear from anyone who has had radiotherapy while living in the area to voice their views at a series of public meetings.

Maggie Parsons, Cancer Commissioning Manager at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “This will be your opportunity to participate in the decision process, shaping how radiotherapy services in Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney will look in the future.
“We want to know how people made the decision on having radiotherapy, how far they had to travel, whether the travel time affected that decision, what their doctor told them and whether they considered other treatments.”

Kathryn Griffiths, Commissioning Manager at NHS Norfolk, added: “It is absolutely vital to us that we understand more about the experiences of patients who have radiotherapy treatment, to enable us to develop and further improve the service we provide.”

The meetings will be held on the following dates: January 18, 6pm to 8pm at Innovations Centre, 39 Brunel Way in Thetford, January 20, 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Supper Room, Town Hall in Great Yarmouth, January 28, 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Big C, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, January 30, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Bayfield Hall in Holt, February 1, 2.30pm to 4.30pm at the Friends’ Meeting House in 15 Smallgate, Beccles and February 3, 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Saint Augustine’s Centre, 37 Columbia Way, Kings Lynn.

Miss Parsons added: “The meetings are all about finding out from people who have had radiotherapy their views by sharing some data we have already collected with them and planning future targets.”

Radiotherapy patients do not need to book a place, but for any questions or to confirm disabled access at any of the venues please call Amy on 01638 608219. Anyone who is unable to attend but who would like to share their thoughts should call Donna Cathmoir at the Anglia Cancer Network on 01638 608215 or email donna.cathmoir@suffolkpct.nhs.uk until February 7.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health bosses are urging people to keep warm and well in the freezing conditions.

As the cold snap continues, health chiefs at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are reminding members of the community to protect themselves to prevent ill health.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “It is really important in these cold conditions that people wrap up warm inside and outside their house to ensure they prevent illness along with eating well and keeping their heating on.
“This is particularly important for elderly people, who are more vulnerable as the weather turns colder.”

People living in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area are also being reminded to look out for family members, neighbours and friends – particularly older people, young children and those with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

The severe weather is creating a greater demand for many of the region’s NHS services. People can use a variety of health services if they need help.

As well as calling 999 for emergencies or going to a GP people can go to NHS Greyfriars in Greyfriars Way, Great Yarmouth or call 01493 335340. Or people can visit their minor injury unit at either Beccles Hospital or the Patrick Stead Hospital in Bungay Road, Halesworth. The Beccles unit is open from 8am to 8pm every day. Call 01502 719821. The Halesworth unit is open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday. Call 01986 872124.

Dr Diu added: “People with certain long term conditions can also become more vulnerable in winter. Our Living Life website brings together a wealth of information which may help, along with details about where to go locally for help and support. Go to www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk
“Anyone who is finding it difficult to pay their heating bills may find it useful to call the Winter Fuel Payments line, 0845 915 1515, the Winter Warmth Advice Line, 0800 085 7000 or people can ring the Warm Front Home Improvement Scheme on 0800 316 2805.
“We would also urge everyone who is eligible to make sure they have had their seasonal flu vaccination at their local GP surgery.
“Remember that medical advice is available by phone through NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or on the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk”

Members of the community should ensure they have enough food and medicines in stock, and check that they are able to keep themselves warm.

Dr Diu said: “Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day – if possible, eating regularly helps to keep energy levels up during winter. Keep as active indoors as possible.
“Wear several light layers of warm clothes, and if you’re going outside wear boots, hats, gloves and scarves. Remember, the roads and pavements may be slippery. Take a mobile phone with you.
Keep your living room and bedrooms warm - between 18- 21 degrees centigrade - and avoid going outside if possible.”

Notes to editors:

Information on Keep Warm Keep Well can be found at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/Olderpeople/DH_4076849

The Keep Warm Keep Well campaign has been run annually for the last 20 years by the Department of Health. The campaign contributes to the government's PSA target to eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households in England by 2010 and also aims to diminish excess winter mortality and relieve the pressures of winter on the NHS.

For information on the Choose Well campaign visit www.choosewell.org.uk
How to choose well

Self-care : For treating minor illnesses or injuries such as grazes, sore throats and coughs people can self-care.
Calling NHS Direct: Ring 0845 4647 for round the clock health queries and information about local services
Local pharmacist: Anyone with a common cold, sickly stomach or anything in between can should talk to a pharmacist.
Visiting their GP: If someone is vomiting, has ear pain, back ache, diarrhoea or may need an examination or medical advice they should go to see their GP.
NHS Walk-in Centre: People who may need treatment for minor illnesses and injuries that do not require an A&E visit – and without an appointment – can go the NHS Greyfriars Walk-in Centre in Greyfriars Way in Great Yarmouth.
NHS Minor Injury Units: People who may need treatment for minor injuries can go or one of the Minor Injuries Units based at Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth or Beccles Hospital.
A&E or dialling 999: Symptoms of a serious illness, those involved in a major accident, or anyone whose life may be at risk, perhaps due to choking, chest pains, black outs or blood loss should go to A&E or call 999.
As well as gaining free and confidential health advice from their pharmacists, people can also refer to the NHS website, www.nhs.uk to check their symptoms or alternatively phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 at any time of the day or night.
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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Slimmers across Great Yarmouth and Waveney can sign up for a brand-new free weight management course using behaviour change to help shift pounds.

Instead of a usual “diet” the Do Something Different programme, being funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW), tackles people’s behaviour rather than focusing on dieting.

Being rolled out in January, the new 12-week weight loss programme has never been delivered in the area before.

Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS GYW, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone thinking about losing weight – but who may have been unsuccessful in the past – to get on board and find out how this may help them.”

The programme is based on changing behaviour by asking the individuals to do different tasks each day to help break down familiar patterns in their lifestyle. Any slimmer who joins will also be asked to complete a questionnaire before the start of the programme to find out more about their behaviour patterns.

Dr Diu added: “Instead of driving one way to work, one of the tasks may be to drive a different route to work, or instead of going home and turning on the television it may be to change that behaviour for an entire night. Everyone will be able to do these simple tasks. You will not be lectured about not eating biscuits or chocolate – this is a different kind of programme.
“The aim is for continuous long-term weight loss rather than a quick fix.”

Health professionals will be able to refer people directly onto the programme, but individuals can also refer themselves by calling 0800 027 6413, texting CHANGE to 65000 or emailing change@dsdeast.co.uk

Graham Norman, 61, from Leicester, took part in the Do Something Different plan when it was originally rolled out as an online programme.

The Government Services Manager said: “Giving up tea for a day proved to be really difficult and it made me realise that I probably hadn’t gone without tea for decades. The hardest thing was remembering to try out the different behaviours. We so easily revert to how we usually behave by habit of course.”

The pounds dropped off Mr Norman as he continued with the plan which he said has revolutionised his life. In total he lost 37.4lbs or 17kg by the end of the programme.

Mr Norman, who is married to Christine, added: “I’m happy with that. I have not given up any foods or drinks but I have found that I don’t have the urge to eat sweet snacks as I used to.”

Do Something Different has been funded by NHS GYW to complement a range of free weight loss programmes already offered, which include the LIFE schemes.

Dr Diu added: “Free places are open for anyone over the age of 18 who is interested in losing weight and has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 27.
“This new programme is a great opportunity for people who may have tried other ways to lose weight but failed.
“Anyone signed up to the scheme will have access to support throughout the programme will be able to receive ongoing support to empower them to continue with the exciting changes in their lifestyle.”

To sign up or find out more call 0800 027 6413, text CHANGE to 65000 or email change@dsdeast.co.uk

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

People throughout Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been urged to act FAST to prevent lasting damage if they suspect that someone they know may have suffered a stroke.

The call comes as the national ‘act FAST’ awareness campaign enters its second year. Health bosses from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have urged everyone to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and take immediate action if they suspect someone they know has suffered a stroke.

Strokes are caused by clots or bleeds in the brain, and lead to a loss of brain function. The symptoms people should look our for are:

• Face weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• Arm weakness – can they raise both arms?
• Speech problems – can they speak clearly and understand what you say?
• Time to call 999 – if they have any one of these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.

Dr Jamie Wyllie, chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Clinical Executive Committee, said: “Research shows that getting emergency treatment as quickly as possible after a stroke can increase the patient’s chance of surviving while minimising long-term disability.

“That is why it is so important for everyone to make sure they’re aware of the symptoms and what to do if they notice speech problems or face or arm weakness in anyone they know.

“Stroke is the single biggest cause of severe disability in the UK, and affects around 150,000 people each year. The FAST campaign offers a really simple and effective way to remember the key symptoms – so I’d encourage everyone to familarise themselves with its messages and act quickly if necessary. Time really is of the essence!”

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For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Youngsters in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area are being offered the chance to trim down in 2010 with a free weight management programme.

Places are still available on four MEND courses which help children aged seven to 13 with their physical activity levels, nutrition and self esteem.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the ten-week programme is aimed at children who are above their ideal weight.

Steph Edrich, MEND Programme Manager at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Services, said: “The programme has proven results in achieving a healthier weight for children. Not only does the child benefit but the sessions help all the family to change their eating and exercise habits. It has also has a really positive effect on the child’s self esteem.”

The MEND programmes, which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It, will be running from Kirkley High School in Lowestoft, Beccles Sports Centre, The Shrublands Centre in Gorleston and Fitness 2000 in Great Yarmouth.
The sessions run on Tuesdays and Thursday from 5pm to 7pm.

Mrs Edrich added: “We are really keen for more children from the Beccles and Lowestoft area.
“The problem of weight is an increasing problem and it’s a case of tackling the issue when individuals are children so they can take that information through into their adult life and even onto the time when they have children.”

The MEND Programme is the UK’s largest healthy lifestyle programme for children and their parents or carers.

Sarah Barnes, Health Improvement Manager, said: “MEND backs up all the national messages of Change 4 Life which encourages people to eat well, move more and live longer.
“Maintaining a healthy weight has a really dramatic effect on your health and we want the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area to be up there as having one of the fastest improving health rates in country.”

Families keen to sign up for MEND can call Steph Edrich on 01493 852207 or text 07798 825145. More information is available thorugh the national website www.mendprogramme.org

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Members of the travelling communities, those from non-English speaking communities or people who may not have a permanent address are being urged to have the swine flu vaccine if they need it.

Health chiefs in Great Yarmouth and Waveney are encouraging people in the corners of the community who may need the Swine Flu vaccine to come forward.

People who may not be registered with a doctor could be missing the vital vaccination.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “If you are within the priority group but have not been invited for the vaccine then please contact us to register with a doctor. It is really important for your health.”

The Department of Health has confirmed the priority groups for the vaccine are:
• People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.
• Pregnant women.
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer.
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus.
• Children aged 6 months to 5 years.

The vaccination is currently being delivered to GP practices throughout Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Dr Diu added: “Any member of a community group who may be engaged with ‘seldom heard groups’ or who may know someone within the priority groups should check with that individual to make sure they have had the option of having the vaccine.
“Anyone wishing to find out where their nearest doctor is can call 01502 719501 or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.”

Louise Bell, Specialist Health Visitor for Travellers and Migrant Workers for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “Anyone can register with their local GP. If anyone is having difficultly registering with a GP they are more than welcome to call me on 07852 717181 and I will help them with the process.
“The vaccine is not only about protecting you – but also those around you which may mean young children or pregnant daughters or wives. If you can’t catch it you can’t pass it on.”

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should not contact their GP, but should instead ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

To avoid catching Swine Flu or seasonal flu use a tissue to catch sneezes, dispose of used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Patients in the Great Yarmouth area will soon have access to a new purpose built medical practice after building work on the £2m Cobholm and Lichfield health centre was completed.

Construction work at the site, on Pasteur Road, has now finished. During the next six weeks, the building’s modern consulting rooms, clinical treatment areas, reception and waiting rooms will be fitted out with equipment and furniture before the centre opens its doors to patients on Monday 1 February.

Once open, health services currently based at the Nelson Medical Centre on Churchill Road will transfer to the new premises to ensure that patients from across Great Yarmouth can continue to access convenient, high quality health care.

David Edwards OBE, Chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, which funded the project, said: “We are delighted that construction work on this fantastic new facility is complete. It will provide a modern environment from which high quality healthcare services can be delivered to people from across Great Yarmouth.

“The development represents a large investment in local health services, and again underlines our commitment to continually improve the access which everyone has to the care they need, as and when they need it.”

As well as housing GP services, the energy efficient new building will include a minor operation room, meeting room and shared clinical facilities which will be used by nurses working within the community. The new services will be delivered alongside the existing health and resource centre and nursery run by NWES for the community and on behalf of the Bridge Trust, owners of the building.

Lindsey Smith, Practice Manager at the Nelson Medical Centre, said: “Our current premises has served the purpose well; having worked in the temporary accommodation for such a long time, the chance to work in a modern building is very exciting for all the staff of the Nelson Medical Centre.

“We feel privileged to have a fantastic new facility which offers many benefits to both staff and the patients. It gives the clinicians a fully equipped modern working environment, but the biggest change is for the patients who have a fantastic new building, of which they can be proud. We look forward to welcoming all our patients to the new building.

“All patients currently registered with the Nelson Medical Centre will receive a letter informing them of details of the move in the New Year.”

Current services offered from the neighbouring resource centre, which include adult education, family mediation and stop smoking clinics, will continue. The centre will also still host a variety of groups, including a diabetes support group, older persons network and Parkinsons support group.

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Note to editors: A photograph is attached showing (L-R):
• Dr Amelie Vandevoorde, GP with the Nelson Medical Centre;
• Andy Peck, Head of Estates and Risk Management for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney;
• Paul Banks, from PJ Spillings, building contractor;
• and (holding the keys) Lindsey Smith, Practice Manager at the Nelson Medical Centre.

Further photographs are available on request.

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

More than 5,000 people in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area will be invited to come forward for a “human MOT”.

Between January and March, everyone aged 40 to 74 will be invited into their GP practice for the health check, which will assess a person’s risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

The free check is like a human MOT and is part of a national programme involving questions and measurements including height, weight, medication, age, family history and blood pressure.

Dr Augustine Pereira, Public Health Consultant from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The check will take about 20 to 30 minutes and consists of a brief medical history, lifestyle questionnaire, physical examination including blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement and calculation of your risk with an opportunity to ask questions and discuss which areas they are more concerned about. For some people there will also be a glucose levels check.
“Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease but the good news is that these can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family.
“These checks will recognise those areas that may be a risk and give you personalised advice on how to reduce it – so they could be a life-saver over the coming years.”

The checks will be carried out every five years so people can see how their lifestyle continues to affect their overall health. Each check will conclude with an action plan including practical advice on ways to effectively improve health and wellbeing.

Dr Pereira added: “We really hope people take up this offer of a free health check to prevent future problems. Improving your health can have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of you and your family – as well as the community you live in.
“You will be given personal advice on how to lower your risks and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Everyone who visits their GP practice for the health check in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area will be issued with a guide to take away. The guide will offer useful information on free programmes offered by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney such as weight-management programmes, exercise programmes and the free stop smoking service which you can contact by texting QUIT to 65000.

Graham Dunhill, patient representative from Norfolk LINk, welcomed the initiative. He said: “The invitation to have a health check is an offer no-one should refuse. I am sure we all prefer the health service to focus on prevention. The opportunity now exists for individuals to find out how healthy they are and if necessary change their lifestyle so that they can avoid the early onset of health problems.
“No matter what it tells us – better to change our lifestyle now than to react to an urgent situation later.”

A downloadable leaflet is available through the Department of Health’s website detailing the reasons why you should have the check. Leaflets are available on the site in other languages including Polish, Russian, Portuguese and Turkish.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_097490

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NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has invested an extra £635,000 into recruiting 14 additional midwifery staff so that all mums-to-be can benefit from one-to-one care during labour.

The investment comes as part of the region-wide “maternity matters” programme, which aims to increase the quality and choice of care available to all women, both before and during labour and after they deliver their baby. In total, 11 midwives and three assistant midwives will be recruited, with eight of the positions already filled. Work is continuing to recruit to the remaining posts, which will all be based at James Paget Hospital.

In addition, the PCT has increased the availability of ante and post-natal care, and now runs sessions six days a week so that parents can access help and support at a time and place which suits them. Patient satisfaction surveys have also taken place to give mums the chance to feedback their views and help identify areas for further improvement.

Information leaflets are currently being designed to give those in early pregnancy details about what to do next, such as booking an appointment with a midwife and looking after their health. It is hoped the leaflets will be available across the PCT area, in GP surgeries, pharmacies and even supermarkets.

Elaine Mash, Commissioning Manager for Children and Maternity with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The maternity matters programme ensures that every expectant mother is offered convenient, effective help and support at a time and place which suits them, from the moment they find out they’re pregnant until after they have delivered their baby.

“It sets out a number of criteria which all primary care trusts must meet, including offering choice throughout pregnancy and ensuring one-to-one care during labour. We have worked extremely closely with our partners at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to deliver these improvements and are well on our way towards meeting all maternity matters criteria by the middle of next year.

“We are committed to ensuring that mothers in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have happy, healthy pregnancies, with all the help and support they need to give their babies the best start in life. This extra investment in new staff, coupled with the initiatives we are introducing across the region, will allow us to achieve that aim.”

Carol Mutton, Head of Midwifery at James Paget University Hosptals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Maternity services are delighted with the investments made and the additional resources can only improve the scope of the services that we provide. Partnership working with the PCT is vital to ensure there is service improvement.”

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Health bosses are reminding members of the public to check they have the medication they need for Christmas but not to order unnecessary prescriptions.

Thousands of pounds are wasted each Christmas on people stocking up on medication that is later thrown away. Health chiefs at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are urging people to think now before they re-order their drugs.

Michael Dennis, Head of Prescribing and Medicines Management from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “It is estimated that waste medicines in the community cost the local NHS £2 million pounds per year, but this money could be better spent on: 400 hip replacements
280 heart bypasses, 2800 cataract operations, 60 community nurses or 360 knee replacements.
“Some people are ordering all their repeat medicines every month, whether they need them or not.
“There are some other people, who for whatever reason, don’t want to tell their doctor that they don’t take their prescribed medicines correctly or if at all.”

Anyone taking medication is reminded they can discuss their prescription with their doctor, nurse or pharmacist and if they have questions, they should ask, rather than ordering drugs they will not use.

Mr Dennis added: “Please remember not to order medicines you don’t need or want.
“If you have a build up of medicines that you use, put them in date order and use them up by stopping ordering them for a while. Your doctor will support you.
“If you have a build up of medicines that you don’t use get it taken off your repeat prescription or if it is something you probably should be taking please talk to your pharmacist, doctor or nurse and let them know that you don’t take it. They may be able to find an alternative that will suit you better.”

Out of date medicines can be returned to your local pharmacy but will not be used again. Please do not flush them down the toilet or put them in the bin. They need to be incinerated by waste handlers.

Mr Dennis said now is the time to make sure you have the medicines your may need for the Christmas period.

He added: “Please look in your medicines cabinet and check you have sufficient medicines over Christmas.
“Going without your medicines may be harmful and it can be a little harder to get access to medicines quickly over the busy christmas and new year period.
“Make sure you have some basic medicines such as painkillers or indigestion remedies and check they are in date. If you don’t, put them on your Christmas shopping list along with your other festive essentials.”

Mr Dennis said now is the time to make sure you have the medicines your may need for the Christmas period. Although the GP out-of-hours service can handle repeat prescriptions, it is designed to deliver urgent medical care that cannot wait until GP surgeries are open. Most GP surgeries will be open until 3pm on Christmas Eve.

According to Take Care Now (TCN), which runs the GP out-of-hours service, patient contacts in the Christmas week were 94 per cent higher than an average week in 2008 (up from an average number of contacts per week of 4,300 to over 8,300 contacts).

James Waites, Operations Manager at TCN said: “We are expecting many more calls over the Christmas break and have increased the cover provided by doctors and nurses. However, patients can help us by checking they have enough prescription medication beforehand so that we can deliver the best care to those who need it most urgently.”

If you take other medicines please ask your pharmacist for advice. If you have any difficulties with your medicines please let you doctor or pharmacist know.

Photo: Attached is a photo of a patient’s car boot full of unneeded and out of date medication he told NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney he was “confused about.”

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Innovative projects designed to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been praised in an independent report looking at public services in East Anglia.

The Oneplace Comprehensive Area Assessments of Norfolk and Suffolk, published today, give an overview of all public services in the area and highlight a number of areas for celebration. NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s mobile food store, which takes fresh fruit and vegetables to the areas of greatest need, is singled out for praise, as is access to NHS dentistry, which is amongst the highest in the country.

The PCT’s work to reduce health inequalities is also commended, as well as strong partnership working which has seen children offered free access to local swimming pools. A project to improve self esteem and raise aspirations amongst teenage girls who otherwise may be at risk of falling pregnant also won recognition.

Dr Sushil Jathanna, Chief Executive of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “As well as highlighting areas for celebration, these reports also provide us with useful information which will help us to tailor our health services in the future.

“We are extremely pleased that some of our innovative projects to help those in greatest need have been commended in this way, and will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we can continue delivering high quality, effective services in the future.”

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Patients and members of the public are being encouraged to have their say on a new health document that outlines patients’ rights.

The NHS Constitution has been passed by government and outlines rights for patients including the right to be treated within 18 weeks from a GP referral or within two weeks for a cancer referral.

Members of the public can comment on the Constitution as part of a consultation which is open until 5 February 2010.

Health chiefs at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are in full support of the document, which firms up more rights for patients.

Dr Sushil Jathanna, Chief Executive at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The NHS Constitution includes the right to be seen by a cancer specialist within 2 weeks from a GP referral and where this isn’t possible the NHS will have to take reasonable steps to offer a range of alternative providers.
“It also means there is a commitment for NHS Health Checks for those aged 40 to 74 to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.”

The consultation is also looking for views on possible further rights in areas such as dentistry, evening and weekend access to GPs, personal health budgets and the ability to choose to die at home.

Dr Jathanna added: “The NHS Constitution is the first document of its kind in the world.
“It collects in one place the values, the rights, the responsibilities and our expectations of the NHS.
“The proposals in the consultation take the Constitution a stage further. Patients and the public will be able to convert current targets into entitlements. I urge everyone to view the document, which is available on the Department of Health’s website and to join in this important debate on the future of the NHS.”

To view the document go to http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/NHSConstitution/index.htm or to have your say fill in the response form at: www.info.doh.gov.uk/questionnaire/nhs_constitution.nsf/questionnaire?openform  

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has become one of the country’s first PCTs to demonstrate its commitment to reducing its environmental impact after producing a wide-ranging sustainability strategy designed to cut carbon emissions.

The strategy has been drawn up to help the PCT meet national Department of Health targets to reduce the NHS’s carbon footprint by 10% from 2007 levels by 2015. The document contains an extensive action plan, which includes taking measures to ensure energy efficiency in the PCT’s buildings while reducing waste and water usage and increasing recycling.

Progress will be closely monitored by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Sustainable Development Committee, which is made up of staff from across the PCT who have been tasked with driving through improvements to benefit the environment, local community and economy.

Alison Taylor, Finance Director at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and project lead, said: “Our primary concern will always be making sure we deliver the best possible health care to the patients we serve. However, it has become increasingly clear over recent years that we also need to commit to sustainable development if we are to protect today’s environment for future generations to enjoy.

“Our new strategy sets out a wide-ranging list of actions which we will take over the coming months and years to help embed sustainability into everything we do. As well as looking in detail at our current practices, we’ll be linking with partners from across the NHS to find innovative new ways of driving through improvements.

“Central government has set the NHS ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions. However, we are confident that we are one step ahead of the game and are well positioned to make a real difference to reducing our carbon footprint over the coming years.”

As part of the sustainability strategy, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney will draw up an energy policy and carry out annual audits of boilers and air conditioning units. Work will start on an energy awareness campaign, while a green travel plan will be developed to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport. Video and telephone conferencing will also be developed to reduce the need for staff to travel to meetings.

Contracts with service providers will also contain sustainability clauses, such as sourcing materials with a low environmental impact, while all new buildings and extensive refurbishment projects will be fitted with green technologies like water efficient taps and toilets.

The strategy, which runs until 2014, is available on http://www.gywpct.nhs.uk/page.asp?fldArea=8&fldMenu=5&fldSubMenu=12&fldKey=1164

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Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are using blue tooth technology to invite young adults to take a “quick and easy” Chlamydia test.

One in 12 people have Chlamydia, so to curb the spread of the sexually transmitted infection, a special blue tooth van will be travelling around the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area sending messages to youngsters encouraging them to have the test.

Letters will also be sent to 18 to 24-year-olds over the next few weeks inviting them to take the free Chlamydia test.

Allison Chaplin, Commissioning Manager for Sexual Health from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The van will be travelling the streets and sending messages out to mobile phones through blue tooth in the hope we reach as many people as possible.
“We are also writing to everyone aged between 18 and 24 asking them to take advantage of this opportunity and have the test.
“Even if you haven’t had sex you can pass on the infection through sexual touching. The test is really easy, all you have to do is wee into a pot, take a little sample and send it back to us.”

The Great Yarmouth area has a particularly high rate for Chlamydia, so health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are keen to increase the number of males and females screened as part of their Are You Getting It? campaign.

Youngsters from 15-years-old can order a test online through the Chlamydia website www.areyougettingit.com or by texting "screen" to 80010 or by phoning 01603 221830. Callers to the phone line will also be able to find out how to pick up a pack in person, if they wish to.

Chlamydia is often undetected because of a lack of symptoms associated with the infection. It can lead to a condition known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility in women.

Ms Chaplin added: “Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK today but around 70pc of young men and 50pc of young women will not have any symptoms.
“People may think matters such as fertility are not an issue but this could become a really worrying problem for them later in life.
“The test is a great way to put your mind at rest.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Dr Augustine Pereira, Public Health Consultant at NHS GYW, said: “Along with choosing the right healthcare we would encourage everybody to take some further steps to help them stay well throughout winter, especially those who may struggle to pay their heating bills.

“Everyone should keep warm and eat well and make sure they wear sensible clothing – both when indoors and going outside. This is particularly important for elderly people, who are more vulnerable as the weather turns colder. Anyone who is finding it difficult to pay their heating bills may find it useful to call the Winter Fuel Payments line, 0845 915 1515, the Winter Warmth Advice Line, 0800 085 7000 or people can ring the Warm Front Home Improvement Scheme on 0800 316 2805.

“We would also urge everyone who is eligible to make sure they have had their seasonal flu vaccination at their local GP surgery.

“People with certain long term conditions can also become more vulnerable as the winter approaches. Our Living Life website brings together a wealth of information which may help, along with details about where to go locally for help and support. It can be accessed at www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk”

How to choose well

Self-care : For treating minor illnesses or injuries such as grazes, sore throats and coughs people can self-care.
Calling NHS Direct: Ring 0845 4647 for round the clock health queries and information about local services
Local pharmacist: Anyone with a common cold, sickly stomach or anything in between can should talk to a pharmacist.
Visiting their GP: If someone is vomiting, has ear pain, back ache, diarrhoea or may need an examination or medical advice they should go to see their GP.
NHS Walk-in Centre or Minor Injury Units: People who may need treatment for minor illnesses and injuries that do not require an A&E visit – and without an appointment – can go to either the NHS Greyfriars Walk-in Centre in Greyfriars Way in Great Yarmouth or one of the Minor Injuries Units based at Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth or Beccles Hospital.
A&E or dialling 999: Symptoms of a serious illness, those involved in a major accident, or anyone whose life may be at risk, perhaps due to choking, chest pains, black outs or blood loss should go to A&E or call 999.
As well as gaining free and confidential health advice from their pharmacists, people can also refer to the NHS website, www.nhs.uk to check their symptoms or alternatively phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 at any time of the day or night.

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People with diabetes or heart failure are being encouraged to sign up for a free personal health plan.

The plan is in a paperback-size folder and contains useful entry pages for people to log their medical history and relevant information about their health needs.

The aim of the personal health plan, or PHP, is so someone who has diabetes, heart failure or another long-term condition can take it with them when they go to see a healthcare professional or social services.

Linda Caine, Head of Pathway Development and Clinical Engagement for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The PHP is a record – a kind of health passport – that is personal to a patient, and has details of their medical issues and priorities.
“Someone can take it with them wherever they go to tell clinicians and Social Care staff about the state of their wellbeing.
“We want patients to feel that they are in control of their own health and that professionals in the NHS and Social Care will listen to their views. These days the patient doesn’t have to be passive and just get whatever care is handed to them.”

Anyone with a long term condition can discuss their individual circumstances and needs with their doctor or social worker for a “collaborative” approach.

People who have diabetes and selected patients who have suffered heart failure will be invited by their GP to use the personal health plans when the project starts in December. It will be offered to all patients with long term conditions by March 2011.

Ms Caine added: “Healthcare in the 21st century is about shared responsibility and self-management, not the old-fashioned way of doing things.”

The PHPs have been developed at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney together with Dr Vince Forte, Practice Manager Julie Yaxley and the team at Central Surgery in Gorleston, to help support people with long term conditions.

Dr Forte said: “I really believe that this new tool will help people with long term conditions to get more out of their health services, plan their lives more easily, and get better health and well being all round.”

Ms Caine added: “There are about 100,000 people in our area with some kind of long term condition. Diabetes and heart failure account for a great number of those, so that is where we want to start.
“Many people wish to take more control of their medical condition and we hope the PHPs will enable them to do so.”
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The group, which was made up of 14 staff members from the primary care trust, began their challenge at Great Yarmouth bus station near Market Gates, walking down Regent Road, along the sea front before reaching Gorleston Sea Front and onto Lowestoft train station.

Anni Jones, Individual Funding Request Coordinator for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, came up with the idea to raise money for the national charity event.

The 25-year-old said: “I thought a sponsored walk would be a great idea because everyone could join in and as NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney widely supports health living this gave us a opportunity to promote this along with raising money for Children In Need.
“Although it was wet and windy, it was an enjoyable day, which I would definitely consider doing again.”

Abi Howes, Workplace Health Promotion Practitioner for NHS Great Yarmouth & Waveney, added: “I organised the walk with our Exercise Referral Coordinator, Charles Allen, who is also a trained walk leader. We arranged stops along the way where people could either join us or stop if they wanted to.
“Three people had to stop, two through injuries, and the weather was really treacherous but we were determined to carry on.
“Everyone did really well and 15 miles is a very long way especially enduring the weather conditions that we experienced on the day. However, considering the weather, spirits were kept high and everyone really enjoyed it.
“It was a challenge as well as a real achievement for every member of the team.”

The group collected £220.70 through bucket rattles during the walk last Saturday, November 14 and individual sponsorship has raised a total of £629.70 so far.

Miss Howes said: “We’re already planning next year’s challenge.”

Members of the public can sign up for a variety of exercise classes and organised walks through NHS GYW’s Exercise Referral Team. For more information call 01493 334708 or 01493 334706.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Respiratory Specialist Nurse Team said many people may have trouble breathing, a persistent cough or other symptoms relating to a serious condition known as COPD, but they are not seeking help.

On Wednesday, November 18, at Lowestoft Library in Clapham Road South, the team will be gathering as part of World COPD day to help raise awareness of the condition and symptoms. The team will also explain and demonstrate how lungs are tested using “spirometry”.

Adele Godbolt, Community Respiratory Specialist Nurse (COPD) based at Beccles Hospital, said: “COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and means in principle problems with breathing.
“It is usually found in smokers and symptoms can be coughing, producing sputum, maybe frequent chest infections such as bronchitis and general breathlessness. If people ignore the signs they may end up more and more breathless, which will be very disabling.”

There are many treatments in the form of inhalers, but keeping fit and able is also a key way to slow the progression of the illness and improve quality of life.

Mrs Godbolt added: “Sometimes people don’t come forward because they feel guilty – especially if they’re a smoker – but there is help out there and it is a condition that affects your whole life.
“Many people still are unaware of COPD – chronic essentially means it won’t go away, obstructive means there is a blockage in your airways, pulmonary is the lungs and the disease part if self explanatory.”

The Breathe Easy Groups from Beccles and Hopton will also be displaying information at the event which is being held from 9am to 12.30pm as part of World COPD Day.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Our stop smoking team is happy to support anyone who is keen to kick the habit. Any smoker, not just someone who may have COPD, can text QUIT to 65000 to contact the team. A range of support will be given to that individual and we are keen to back anyone who would like to find out more.
“You are four times more likely to quit if you do it through a stop smoking service than if you go it alone. So if you are thinking about stopping smoking and live in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area text QUIT to 65000.”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Nearly half (43%) of over 65 year olds take more than five medicines at any one time but one in five of those people admit to not always taking the medicine as prescribed.

Health chiefs at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are pushing the review as part of Ask Your Pharmacist Week which begins on Monday <9 November> until Sunday, November 15.

Françoise Price, Deputy Head of Prescribing and Medicines Management, said: “The Medicine Use Review is an opportunity for you and the pharmacist to talk about your medicines.

“Maybe you’re not sure why you are taking that medicine or you’re concerned about the side effects. Perhaps you find there are some practical problems in taking your medication.

“Remember you can always talk to your pharmacist about your medication.”

Ask Your Pharmacist is the National Pharmacy Association’s campaign to highlight the advice, support and services provided through community pharmacy. Many patients are unaware of the expert advice and new services available from community pharmacy.

Ms Price added: “At NHS GYW we want to remind members of the public that pharmacists are qualified clinicians who understand your medication and have the expertise to answer medicine related questions you may have wanted to ask.”

Ask Your Pharmacist week is focusing on “Seven things you didn’t know about pharmacy” highlighting allergy screening, Chlamydia tests and treatment, health checks, medicine check ups, minor ailments, smoking cessation and pharmacist prescribing.

Some of these services are relatively new so not all pharmacies will provide them. Visit www.askyourpharmacist.co.uk to find the nearest pharmacy to you providing them.

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

The vouchers are open to any 15 to 24-year-old who takes one of the tests.

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and NHS Norfolk’s are keen to increase the number of males and females screened as part of their Are You Getting It? campaign.

Allison Chaplin, Commissioning Manager for Substance Misuse and Sexual Health, from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We have launched the website www.areyougettingit.com and anyone who would like a test – and the £5 voucher – can order one through the site.
“It is believed one in 12 people have Chlamydia and the test is really quick and easy to do. The test is just weeing in a pot, taking a tiny sample and posting it back to us.”

Within the Norfolk and Waveney area there are 116,000 15 to 24-year-olds and the first 1,000 who take the test will be given the voucher.

Chlamydia is often undetected because of a lack of symptoms associated with the infection. It can lead to a condition known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility in women.

Ms Chaplin added: “Chlamydia can be caught not just through penetrative sex but can be transmitted through sexual touching.
”Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK today but around 70pc of young men and 50pc of young women will not have any symptoms.”

NHS Norfolk's Sexual Health Commissioning Manager Julie Hughes, added: “We are also encouraging people to take a Chlamydia test every year or when changing sexual partners, just to be on the safe side.
“The kit and the test are free, it’s really simple to do and apart from the chance to win a voucher you are giving yourself peace of mind.”

The test kits can also be ordered by texting "screen" to 80010 or by phoning 01603 221830. Callers to the phone line will also be able to find out how to pick up a pack in person, if they wish to. However only those using www.areyougettingit.com are eligible to receive a shopping voucher.

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Media contacts

NHS Norfolk: Tim Curtis, 01603 257057
NHS Great Yarmouth & Waveney: Lucy Bolton, lucy.bolton@nhs.net or 01502 719540

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Dr Sushil Jathanna, completed his first day at the primary care trust today (2 November) – and is already relishing the challenges and opportunities which his new role offers.

The 52-year-old has joined NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney after working as a Director at NHS North East Essex. He replaces Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, who has fulfilled the role of Interim Chief Executive for the past five months.

Dr Jathanna brings with him a wealth of experience in both the NHS and private medial sector along with specialist knowledge of public health – expertise he plans to put to good use during his time in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

“I am delighted to have started work with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney,” said Dr Jathanna. “The PCT has made great progress over the past six months, and I am looking forward to working closely with colleagues to build on the work which has already been done while finding ways to drive through further improvement.

“Great Yarmouth and Waveney has some very specific health needs, with a high prevalence of risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption and considerable deprivation in certain areas. Although these statistics presents us with some significant challenges, they also show that we have a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the people we serve.

“As well as working to reduce inequalities across the PCT area, I am also looking forward to helping make health services easier for people to access. Along with our partners in the NHS and outside, we will be finding effective ways to transform our services and make them more convenient while bringing care closer to people’s homes.

“Coupled with this will be ensuring we continue to commission innovative services which provide good value for money. The NHS will face significant financial challenges over the coming years – we need to make sure we plan ahead and find different ways of working so that the quality of the services we commission on behalf of our patients is not compromised.”

Dr Jathanna began his medical career as a Senior House Officer before becoming a Registrar in Medicine for the Elderly at West Norwich Hospital. After specialising, he went on to join Colchester and Tendring PCTs as Director of Public Health. Dr Jathanna has also spent six years in the private sector, as Managing Director of Care UK’s healthcare division.
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A brand-new Baby Café has been opened in Lowestoft for new parents.

The free café is based at The Ark Children’s Centre in Water Lane, Lowestoft and is open every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm.

The project has been funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) and The Lowestoft Children’s Centre to support breastfeeding mothers as well as offer guidance to fathers and other family members.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Breastfeeding Team is leading this Baby Cafe project, along with the support from local midwives, health visitors and the Children's Centre staff as Key UNICEF trained partners.

Margaret Holtz, Specialist Practitioner/Health Visitor and Breast Feeding Team Lead, said: “We want to encourage mums and parents to come to the Baby Café because they are then more confident about socialising in any cafe and continue to breastfeed for longer.
“Mum and baby will then enjoy longer health benefits, and with the local population celebrating more mothers’ breastfeeding in the area, the knock on effect encourages more mums and mums-to-be to give it a go.”

The café, provides free expert breastfeeding advice and support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Fathers are also encouraged to be there and create a normal social cafe culture breastfeeding environment. Tea by the pot, cafetieres of coffee, cake and lots of fruit are provided to encourage healthy snacks that support breastfeeding.

Ms Holtz added: “Being a Baby Café means adhering to their set of quality standards. The café has to be licensed and this means that a licensed Baby Café is run by very experienced UNICEF trained staff who deliver the highest standard of advice and support to mothers, fathers and the family.
“Every mother in the NHS GYW area will find that there is access to a Baby Café somewhere across the area from Monday to Friday.”

Baby Cafes are on Monday in Beccles, Tuesday in Great Yarmouth, Wednesday in Martham, Thursday in Lowestoft and Friday in Gorleston. They are all held in the local children's centres.

For further details contact the Breastfeeding Team on 01493 852209 or
www.thebabycafe.co.uk

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

A Gorleston grandmother has won holiday vouchers from her local health trust which will give her a “wonderful break”.

Elizabeth Millichamp, 54, lives with the long term conditions of ME and Fibromyalgia, leaving her unable to work and relying heavily on the support of her husband.

Through Mrs Millichamp’s consultations with her doctor, at Central Surgery in Gorleston, she was told of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s (NHS GYW) Living Life website, www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk, offering medical information and support through the member forum.

When Mrs Millichamp, who is married to Peter, registered on the site in the summer, she entered a competition to win £250 of Center Parcs vouchers and was told by health chiefs at NHS GYW that she had won.

The grandmother-of-four said: “It is wonderful to have won – it’s a chance for my husband and I to get away because it is hard work for him supporting me all the time.”

More than 100,000 people in Great Yarmouth and Waveney live with long-term conditions such as ME, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart disease and arthritis.

Mrs Millichamp, who was forced to give up her job working on the wards at the James Paget University Hospital in December 2006, added: “The website has been a fantastic support. I really like the forums where you can share messages and information with other people.
“When you have something like ME and Fibromyalgia you feel like you’re on your own and that no one understands you.
“It’s reassuring to go on and see other people’s comments. Just getting feedback from other people about things like my medication is good.”

Health chiefs at NHS GYW together with Dr Vince Forte and his team at the Central Surgery in Gorleston developed the website for the large number of people with long-term conditions living in the area.

As well as information and the forums, the site also has Personal Health Plans (PHPs) available for people to record detailed information about their conditions and medication.

Dr Vince Forte said: “The website provides a local lifeline to people, offering local and general information, and mutual self help through the forum section. The site is very safe to use. “Congratulations to Elizabeth on winning the vouchers – and she could only have entered the competition because she registered on the site. Registering means she can now access the extra areas such as the forum and the PHPs and get the most out of LivingLife.”

To visit the website go to www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Anyone who has suffered a minor injury, such as a cut, bite, burn, sprain or strain, is urged to go to one of their nearby community hospitals for treatment instead of A&E.

Minor injury units at Beccles Hospital or the Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth and act as fast alternatives to A&E and offer “efficient and convenient” treatment.

Members of the community are urged to use the minor injury units rather than clog up larger hospitals – especially with added pressure through the winter months.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “If you need efficient, convenient treatment for a cut, bite, burn, sprain or strain, your local minor injuries unit can help.
“During winter there is added pressure on GP practices, hospitals and out-of-hours services because more people are prone to illness, flu and falls.
“The units at Beccles and Halesworth are a fast alternative to A&E which are staffed by fully trained nurses with extensive emergency experience.
“You don’t need an appointment and can drop in at any time during opening hours.”

The units can provide advice and treat a wide range of injuries, including:

• cuts, grazes and lacerations
• sprains and strains
• splinters
• bites and stings (including human bites)
• minor head injuries
• eye problems
• foreign bodies in eyes, noses and ears
• burns and scalds and
• nose bleeds

The unit at Patrick Stead, Bungay Road, Halesworth, IP19 8HP, is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and is available by ringing 01986 872124.
The unit at Beccles Hospital, St Mary's Road, Beccles, NR34 9NQ, is open seven days a week between 8am to 8pm and can be contacted on 01502 719821.

Dr Diu added: “Anyone who may be suffering from an illness should contact their GP or pharmacist for treatment advice or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk”

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For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health bosses have given the go-ahead to a mobile X-ray unit for the Waveney area.

Hundreds of patients from the Bungay, Southwold and Halesworth area will soon be able to benefit from a mobile X-ray unit after bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney gave approval to the service.

Instead of having to travel miles to the nearest hospital with an X-ray unit, patients will be able to go to the Patrick Stead Hospital in Halesworth where the machine will be located on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

James Elliott, Deputy Director of Commissioning, from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said:

“The machine is housed in a big lorry, and patients needing an X-ray will be able to be referred to the mobile unit directly from their doctor – instead of having to travel miles to another hospital.

“The machine can X-ray almost any part of the body – limbs, the skull, spine or abdomen.”

Approval for the machine was granted by health chiefs at NHS GYW in what is a very rural area, with many people struggling to travel to hospital when they need to have an X-ray.

The new machine will be part of a four-month pilot aimed at bringing care “closer to home” and will launch on Wednesday, November 11th. Health chiefs from NHS GYW said they hope to reach 85 patients a week using the machine during the pilot.

Mr Elliott added: “There was previously a rudimentary X-ray service at Patrick Stead, but it was a low-powered, outdated machine that could only X-ray limbs and was deemed unfit for purpose, so we have been looking at ways and means to pick up the service again – with vast improvements.

“The new mobile unit will incorporate a state-of-the-art digital X-Ray room, with high speed IT connectivity for remote radiology reporting and is a fantastic flexible option for people living in local areas.”
Ends
Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health promoters and staff from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) have said taking part in the East Coast Run was an important part of their work.

The staff, many of whom are key to passing on health tips and messages to the community, said if they are encouraging others to do more exercise then it was important they did too.

Nine members of the team at NHS GYW took part in Sunday’s<25 Oct> event, either running, jogging or walking the 10k race through Great Yarmouth town centre and seafront.

Abi Howes, Workplace Health Promotion Practitioner for NHS GYW, said: “It’s important for our staff to do things inside and outside their work and we thought this would be a great event to get involved with – especially as NHS GYW was one of the sponsors.”

A running club was set up, from the Primary Care Trust’s base in Common Lane North in Beccles, 12 weeks before the race so the group could train for the event.

Ms Howes added: “Charles Allen, one of the Exercise Referral Coordinators, came and taught us how to warm up and warm down properly. He also helped us to increase our stamina and improve our technique.
“Running the race went from something people though they would never achieve to taking part and completing it – which is a great achievement.”

Tracey Read, Health Promotion Practitioner for NHS GYW, took part in the race.

Ms Read, 26, said: “It was important to take part because of the work I do promoting healthy lifestyles.
“It was enjoyable and great to take part as a team, rather than entering individually.”

Members of the public can sign up for a variety of exercise classes and organised walks through NHS GYW’s Exercise Referral Team. For more information call 01493 334708 or 01493 334706.

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

A Waveney school pupil has won a health competition for his design of a brilliant bug.

Zak Lee Loveday, eight, has been crowned the winner for his bright green bug design. He took part in the competition when NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s (NHS GYW) Infection Control Team visited Worlingham Primary School, in Rectory Lane, on Thursday, October 8 to teach the children just how important it is to wash their hands.

All the year four children were invited to design a bug, bacteria or germ and Zak has won £20 of book tokens for his bright bug.

Zak said: “When I found out I’d won my heart was pounding. I’ve never won a contest before.
“I picked a random bug to draw from my head. I think I like it. I don’t think it’s scary as what sort of scary bug would have a sort of smile.”

The trip to the school was part of Infection Control Awareness Week, running this week from Monday to Friday<19 – 23 Oct> which aims to educate everyone to the importance of washing their hands and ensuring basic hygiene levels to prevent spreading bad bacteria.

Faith Culyer, eight, came second for her purple, pink, red, blue and yellow bug with a smiley face and Laura Ellis, eight, won third place for her two-headed orange and purple creation.

Laura said: “Mine has got two heads so it can split in two. I had to borrow my sister’s pens to draw it.”

Rosie Collier, Community Infection Control Support Nurse for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Everyone of the 20 children drew some fantastic designs as part of the competition.
“They were all brilliant but we chose Zak’s design because it was really bright in lime green and it had a funny face with lots of black tentacles – a really scary bug.”

As part of the session the children had to put their hands in touchy feel infection boxes, used dye to see the dirt in their mouths, saw exactly how far a sneeze travels and they found how just how much bacteria was still lurking on their hands even after washing them.

The Infection Control Team and NHS GYW’s Chairman David Edwards presented the three winners at a special assembly at the school today<THURSDAY 22 OCT>.

Mr Edwards said: “We were delighted with the response from the children. It is so important that they learn about hygiene but enjoy learning about it at the same time. We hope they will go home and tell their parents all about it.
“I’ve learnt something from the children too – that you need to sing happy birthday twice while washing your hands to know you’ve done it for long enough.”

Liz Meechan, Year Four Teacher from Worlingham Primary School, added: “The children loved taking part in the activities and the hygiene messages have really stuck. They are much more aware now of washing their hands more thoroughly.”

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Photos attached of winning design and winners with their own pictures

Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has appointed Alison Taylor as its new Director of Finance.

Ms Taylor, who brings with her a wealth of health service experience, has been appointed to the post permanently after fulfilling the role in an interim capacity since November.

She started her career as a finance trainee with the old East Anglian Regional Health Authority. As well as spending time in the private sector, Ms Taylor has worked as Finance Director for Central Suffolk PCT, East Suffolk PCT and Suffolk West PCT. She also has a detailed knowledge of buying services on behalf of patients, having joined NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney as Deputy Director of Commissioning in 2006.

Under Ms Taylor’s direction over the past ten months, the PCT has moved from a “weak” to “fair” rating for the quality of its financial management in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual health check. NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney also received a much improved use of resources assessment from the Audit Commission last month.

“I am delighted to have been appointed permanently to this role,” said Ms Taylor, who has a masters degree in advanced commissioning and is currently studying for an MBA with the University of East Anglia.

“During the past year, we have worked extremely hard to ensure we have solid financial management systems in place and make sound investments on behalf of our patients. We have also made great progress in terms of the governance of our work, which has been reflected in our improved performance scores in both the Care Quality Commission’s annual health check and the Audit Commission’s use of resources assessment.

“As with all other NHS organisations, we are facing huge challenges over the coming years as we look to deliver the savings outlined by the government while continuing to buy in high quality services which deliver excellent value for money.

“This will see us look carefully at our budgets so that we can find ways of delivering greater productivity without compromising the care which our patients receive.

“We are already working towards this goal and feel we are well positioned to meet these future challenges on behalf of the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.”

David Edwards OBE, Chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Alison to this post on a permanent basis.

“Our finance team has made enormous progress under her direction, culminating in much improved assessments from both the CQC and Audit Commission. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Alison so that we can build on this success still further in the future.”

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Cancer sufferers and carers keen to make a difference to the lives of others with the illness have been invited to ensure that patients’ voices are heard by joining a new group dedicated to improving services in the future.

Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Together Against Cancer group is open to anyone with direct experience of living with cancer or treating the illness. Forming part of the Anglia Cancer Network, it has been set up to help influence the shape of future services while providing direct patient feedback to the NHS.

As well as consulting people whose lives have been affected by cancer, the group will look in detail at the experiences which patients have had during their diagnosis and treatment. Members will also represent the views of patients and carers to the Anglia Cancer Network, which plans many cancer services in the area, to ensure that future services take full account of people’s needs.

Maggie Parsons, Cancer Commissioning Manager with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “This group has been designed to make sure the views of those who have been affected by cancer are fully taken into account when decisions are made about future services.

“This is a genuine opportunity for anyone who has direct experience of living with cancer to make a real difference to others with the illness. Above all, the group will play a vital role in acting as the voice of patients across Great Yarmouth and Waveney,

“We would encourage anyone has been affected by cancer and is interested in helping to shape a better service for the future to get in touch and find out more.”

The meetings, which begin on Tuesday 24 November, will take place every month.

Anyone who is interested in joining the group should contact the Anglia Cancer Network on 01638 608215 or email donna.caithmoir@suffolkpct.nhs.uk

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Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

Health bosses in Great Yarmouth and Waveney are urging people to be patient until the Swine Flu vaccination programme is rolled out.

GP practices will contact members of the community identified as being in the priority groups and doctors are asking people not to contact their surgery for more information on the vaccine.

Clarification on when GP practices will receive the swine flu vaccine is due from the Department of Health over the coming days.

Dr Shamsher Diu, Public Health Consultant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We understand people are anxious to find out when the vaccine will be ready and when they can have the injection – however, we are still waiting for more information on when the vaccination will be received.
“GP practices are very busy and we would ask people not to block phone lines by calling for more information.
“As soon as we know this we will inform GP practices across Great Yarmouth and Waveney so all those in the priority groups can be notified.”

The Department of Health has confirmed the priority groups for the vaccine are:
• People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.
• Pregnant women.
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer.
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus.

Dr Diu said: “Patients are reminded that the Swine Flu vaccine is different to the existing seasonal flu injection. If you are eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine it is advised you have this as soon as possible.”

To avoid catching Swine Flu or seasonal flu use a tissue to catch sneezes, dispose of used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands.

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should not contact their GP, but should instead ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

People should only contact their GP if they have a serious underlying illness, are pregnant, have a sick child under one year old or their condition suddenly gets much worse.

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, on 01502 719540, 07946 150626 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk
 

The hard work and dedication of NHS staff in Great Yarmouth and Waveney has been heralded after a national assessment showed a “tremendous turnaround” in performance during the last 12 months.

The Care Quality Commission’s annual health check for 2008/09 has rated NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney as “good” for quality of commissioning and “fair” for quality of financial management. The ratings are a significant improvement on last year’s double “weak” score, and place NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney as the most improved PCT in the region.

David Edwards OBE, Chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of this year’s assessment, which are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our staff.

“They show that the huge changes we have made during the past 12 months are having an extremely positive effect on the way we commission our services and manage our finances.

“This is great news for our patients and a enormous achievement for everyone associated with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, which shows we are adding value for local population.”

In the assessment, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney demonstrated full compliance with all commissioning core standards, including ensuring services are safe and that patients are treated with dignity and respect. The PCT also performed well in areas such as access to primary care services, breast cancer screening and reducing incidents of healthcare associated infections such as Clostridium difficile.

Dr Sushil Jathanna, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s new Chief Executive, who takes up post on 1 November, said: “This year’s ratings are fantastic news and show a tremendous turnaround for the organisation.

“They are a huge credit to all our staff and to the work of the dedicated teams in the hospitals, community, mental health and ambulance services from which we buy our services.

“They are also excellent news for our local population and show we are making good progress towards delivering our goal of having the fastest improving health in England. Patients can be assured that the services we are commissioning on their behalf will deliver real health benefits, as well as having confidence in the care they are receiving when they do become ill.

“However, we will not become complacent, as there will always be more to do and areas where we can improve still further. We will continue to strive to better our performance wherever possible, by working closely with our patients, the public and our partners to deliver continued improvements to the health of local communities across Great Yarmouth and Waveney.”

The CQC rating also showed significant improvement in the PCT’s financial management, which improved from a “weak” rating in 2007/08 to “fair” in 2008/09.

Alison Taylor, Director of Finance at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We are pleased with our rating for the quality of financial management provided by the PCT. It shows we are performing well, have solid financial management systems in place and make sound investments on behalf of our patients.

“As our “good” rating for quality of commissioning shows, there is a very clear relationship between the investments we make and improvements in services for our patients.

“Looking ahead, we know that we still have work to do alongside our partners to continue buying high quality services which deliver excellent value for money. This is a challenge we are already preparing to meet on behalf of the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.”

Great Yarmouth and Waveney Community Services, which provides services to patients on behalf of the PCT, recorded an “almost met” rating in this year’s assessment.

In addition, Community Services fully met the assessment criteria in four key areas: standards of care, keeping the public healthy, waiting to be seen and good management.

Amanda Cousins, Chief Operating Officer with Great Yarmouth and Waveney Community Services, said: “We are very pleased with our results as they are as expected.

“In order to improve our standards further we have taken forward detailed pieces of work to ensure that we have systems in place to provide an even better quality of patient care.

“With regard to medicines management we are moving forward with the recruitment of our own inhouse pharmacy staff, which is very exciting.

“We are particularly pleased with our performance and work on infection control in 08/09 which has resulted in no cases of MRSA or Clostridium difficile attributed to community services.”

Ends

Issued by the Communications Team at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

For more information, please contact Liz Hearnshaw on 01284 760025 or visit www.gywpct.nhs.uk

Hundreds of families in the Lowestoft area have been given an insight into mental health conditions at a free fun day.

More than 500 people went along to the Royal Green on Saturday <10 Oct>to celebrate World Mental Health Day.

Free goody bags containing skipping ropes and stress relievers were handed out, along with free massages, the chance to win a stay in a five-star hotel as part of a holistic approach to health and wellbeing and the chance to make free hessian bags.

Uju Okereke, Advanced Health Improvement Practitioner for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: "This event was very important because mental illness is sadly still surrounded by a lot of stigma and uncertainty. We hoped that through this event we would not only work towards rubbing out the stigma but also raise awareness among people of the need to identify with and take care of their mental wellbeing.”

The day, which was held as part of World Mental Health Week, also gave families and shoppers the opportunity to talk to many of the mental health professionals about issues surrounding mental health conditions.

Miss Okereke added: “There are a lot of myths surrounding mental health but one in four people will live with a mental health condition in their lifetime.
“Celebrities such as Patsy Palmer from Eastenders has suffered from depression, Stephen Fry has had a breakdown and Winston Churchill had bipolar. It’s likely we all know people, work with people and have friends and family members who have mental health conditions.
“The event was a success thanks mainly to the support of all the organisations that made the event possible but also to members of the public, service users and their families who turned up in their numbers on the day to learn more and interact with providers.”

Waveney MP Bob Blizzard opened the event and members of the community were able to talk to a wide range of organisations, including Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Foundation Trust, the Flagship Housing Support Team, North Lowestoft Housing Project, Stonham Housing, Stonham Homestay Floating Support, St Johns Housing Trust, Family Action, Feedback, Suffolk Family Carers, Waveney Community Forum and Suffolk County Council.

Darren France, Service Manager for Stonham Housing in Lowestoft, helped to bring together the various organisations for the event. He said: “Many members of the public learned something and took something away from the event, there was a wonderful atmosphere of partnership and support, and it was also a lot of fun.
“It was a great opportunity for people to understand the impact mental ill health can have on people and their families. We must be more sensitive and supportive towards people who are recovering.”

For your information

• Mental health accounts for 1/3rd of all illness and 40% of all disability in Britain. (Department of Health)
• A total of 13.8 million working days were lost to work-related stress, depression and anxiety in 2006/07.
• Work-related stress accounts for over a third of all new incidences of ill health. (Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health)

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Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

Health bosses have urged people in Great Yarmouth and Waveney to continue taking simple steps to prevent illness as the country prepares for a potential second wave of swine flu during the autumn.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is reminding the public to follow good hygiene advice to reduce their risk of contracting the infection. This includes using a tissue to catch sneezes, disposing of used tissues where germs can linger and regularly washing their hands.

The calls comes as the PCT and its partners from across the NHS prepare for a potential second wave of swine flu during the autumn and winter. Over the past few months, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has continued to work closely with partner organisations to ensure everyone can react effectively – should the predicted rise occur. GPs have also been drawing up plans to offer immunisation to people in high risk groups, who should wait to hear from their practices for more information.

Dr Alistair Lipp, Director of Public Health for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The outbreak which took place earlier this year showed us that the extensive plans we have in place to cope during a pandemic are robust and working well.

“Reports suggest the number of cases will rise once more during the coming months – and we are fully prepared to respond to growing numbers of flu-like illnesses, should this become necessary.

“We are continuing to keep the local position under constant review, along with the locations of our anti-viral collection points. This will ensure we can continue to meet demand at all times – even if we see a peak in numbers during the autumn.

“Our advice to everyone in Great Yarmouth and Waveney remains the same – by following simple hygiene advice, you can reduce your risk of catching colds and flu. Make sure you wash your hands and clean all hard surfaces, such as door handles, regularly and dispose of tissues to prevent germs from lingering.”

Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should not contact their GP, but should instead ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

People should only contact their GP if they have a serious underlying illness, are pregnant, have a sick child under one year old or their condition suddenly gets much worse.
Ends

Issued by Liz Hearnshaw at Zenith Public Relations on 01284 760025.
 

Parents of year six pupils living in Great Yarmouth and Waveney are to receive a wealth of information on leading a healthy lifestyle along with letters telling them if their children are a healthy weight.

During the next two months, ten and 11-year-olds in schools across Great Yarmouth and Waveney will have their height and weight measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney will then write to parents giving them the results, along with information on healthy eating, easy ways to fit activity into everyday life and where to go locally for more support.

It is hoped the initiative will aid parents in helping their child maintain a healthy weight while raising awareness of the steps they can take to live a healthier lifestyle.

Dr Alistair Lipp, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Director of Public Health, said: “Being overweight can seriously damage people’s health, while leading to major problems later in life, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

“We are committed to supporting families to help their children move towards a healthy weight, and have a number of free initiatives in place to encourage healthy eating and exercise. Some of these are tailored specifically towards children, such as MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition… Do it!) and Activ8 It Plus, and are proven to work extremely well.

“We would encourage anyone who would like extra help to lead a healthier lifestyle to get in touch to find out how we can help.”

Results are now sent directly to parents following a change in national policy. The move comes after research showed that the majority of parents would like to receive the information, either because it may help them monitor their child’s health or work as a general aid to understanding healthy weight.

Further research shows that most parents of children who are above their ideal weight think that their child is healthy, with only ten per cent of describing their child as overweight.

Marisa Fox, Waveney school nursing team leader, said: “Giving parents information about their child’s measurements is really important, as it can help raise their awareness of potential problems so that they can take positive steps to change their lifestyles.

“A huge range of help is available both inside and out of school. We would urge parents who are interested in accessing these initiatives, which include sports and activity clubs, to ask their school nurse for more information.”

More information about healthy lifestyle initiatives running across Great Yarmouth and Waveney is available by visiting www.gywpct.nhs.uk and clicking on the “healthy lives” tab. Alternatively, contact the Healthy Life team on 01493 859205 or by email at gyw-pct.healthylife@nhs.net.

Advice is also available from school nurses or by visiting:

• Change 4 Life: www.nhs.uk/change4life
• NHS choices: www.nhs,uk
• School sports partnerships: www.sspwebsites.co.uk
• Netmums: www.netmums.com

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Note to editors:

1. The PCT guidance can be found at www.dh.gov.uk/healthyliving.

2. Beginning its fifth year in September 2009, the National Child Measurement Programme was set up to gather information which is vital to inform the local planning and delivery of children’s services. This data is also key to building a national picture of trends in growth patterns and obesity. The programme is a useful vehicle for getting children and families to actively pursue more healthy lifestyles and keep a healthy weight.

3. Trained staff, such as school nurses, oversee the measurement of the children, which is carried out in a sensitive way, with the measurements being taken in a separate room or screened off area. Pupils are not told about other pupils’ weight and height and the results are not shown to teachers or other school staff.

4. Once a child's height and weight have been recorded, the results will be held by their local primary care trust, along with some other information, including their date of birth and the school. The PCT will then send this information securely to the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, which looks after it on behalf of the Department of Health. During the upload to the Information Centre, data which could identify the child, such as their name and date of birth, are removed or changed so that they cannot be identified. Once the Information Centre has this anonymous information, it is analysed to look at trends in children’s height and weight across England.
 

Issued by Liz Hearnshaw at Zenith Public Relations on 01284 760025.
 

Children from a Suffolk school will be finding out just how poorly they may become if they don’t wash their hands properly.

The Infection Control Team from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is visiting Worlingham Primary School on Thursday <8 October> to teach the children just how important it is to wash their mitts.

The year four pupils will get to see pictures of bad bacteria that may live on their hands but they cannot see, take part in a “draw a nasty bug” competition as well as touch and feel into boxes hiding things that could prevent them having poorly tummies.

Rosie Collier, Community Infection Control Support Nurse, said: “We want to make sure the children understand the importance of washing their hands properly and that they need to be washed not just when they are noticeably dirty, but that microbes are so small they cannot be seen by the naked eye and some can make you ill.”

The Infection Control and School Nurses will also teach the children that their most important weapon against catching colds is to wash their hands regularly.

Liz Percival, Headteacher at the school, said: “It will be a really fun way for the children to learn some basic hygiene routines which can make such a difference to their health.”

The visit to the school is part of Infection Control Awareness week, which runs from 19 to 23 October 2009. The event is held every year to educate staff and the public on ways to keep safe and free from infections.

Mrs Collier added: “With the swine flu being around, we also want to make sure the children realise how important it is to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and to dispose of the tissue in the bin and then to wash their hands – Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.

“We want to raise awareness at the school for both the children and teachers of the importance of hand hygiene and how and when to wash their hands as well as the importance of using tissues when sneezing or coughing to reduce the spread of infection.

“The Dental nurse will also be taking part, making sure the children know how to clean their teeth and when. The importance of getting children into good habits of washing their hands and cleaning their teeth will hopefully stay with them for life.”

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PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 10am at Worlingham Primary School, Rectory Lane, Worlingham, Beccles, Suffolk, NR 34 7RF

Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

A practising GP with a wealth of experience and local knowledge is to head up a new committee designed to involve clinical experts at the heart of decision-making within NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Dr Jamie Wyllie, a GP at the Falkland Surgery in Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, will take up his position as Chairman of the new Clinical Executive Committee (CEC) when it meets for the first time on Wednesday (7 October).

Dr Wyllie, who has been instrumental in setting up the committee, will chair fortnightly meetings which will offer clinical input on decisions being considered by the PCT. The CEC, which is made up of 14 members, has taken over this role from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s eight-member Professional Executive Committee

“This new committee is bringing practice-based and clinical commissioners right into the heart of the PCT and its decision-making processes,” said Dr Wyllie, who will chair the committee initially for a period of six months.

“It is designed to make sure clinicians are involved at the right level of every decision which is made – which is vitally important as all of the PCT’s decisions have an impact on service delivery on the ground.

“Four practising GPs will sit on the committee to provide the PCT with clinical input, in turn making sure the services our patients are offered continue to be of the highest possible quality.

“We will all be using our day-to-day experiences with patients to help ensure that their needs remain right at the heart of the PCT’s commissioning work.”

Dr Wyllie qualified as a doctor in 1997 after studying at Edinburgh University. He completed his training as a GP in 2001 and has worked at the Falkland Surgery ever since.

He will sit on the committee alongside clinical members Dr Ian Gibson, from the Coastal Villages Practice, Dr John Stammers from Southwold Surgery and Dr Martin Vallis of Rosedale Surgery, Carlton Colville, as well as ten members of the PCT’s executive team.

“One of the traditional GP roles is to act as an advocate for their patients. As such, the committee members will have patients at the forefront of their minds when contributing to the decision-making process,” added Dr Wyllie.

“We have some clear challenges ahead, the biggest of which is the economic situation which the NHS faces over the next few years. As a result, much of our work will focus on delivering the highest quality services at the best value for money, while also maintaining innovation so that we can create new services and pathways to benefit our patients.”

Dr Chris Price, Medical Director with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “Our new Clinical Executive Committee will play a key role in making sure the voices of our clinicians are heard at every level throughout our decision-making processes.

”We look forward to working closely with them as we to drive forward continual improvements in healthcare for everyone who lives in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.”

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Note to editors: A photograph of Dr Wyllie is attached.

Issued by Liz Hearnshaw at Zenith Public Relations on 01284 760025.
 

Award-winning mental health teams across Norfolk will be holding a tea, cake and activities afternoon next fortnight and are inviting people to come along to find out more about what they do and to celebrate the teams’ efforts to help young people over the last ten years.

The five Norfolk Family Solutions Teams, which are jointly commissioned by NHS Norfolk, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and Norfolk County Council, work from individual Norfolk bases in the north, south, east, west and central areas of NHS Norfolk’s area and work with young people from the ages of 4-17. On Thursday, October 15, the teams will come together to hold an event at the Jubilee Centre in Norwich (see notes to editors).

The event will be an opportunity to meet the teams, find out what they do and how they do it, while at the same time enjoying some tea and cake and taking part in activities to find out how to promote positive mental health in children and young people.

Since 1999, the teams have been providing a consultation service for families and other professionals who have concerns that a child may be developing mental health problems, offering training and workshops to people and attending events to promote positive child mental health.

The teams play a key role as part of Norfolk’s child and adolescent mental health services to provide early intervention for children and young people and prevent the development of serious mental health problems. The teams are based in the community and see children and their families either at home, at school or in a GP surgery.

Each team discusses any concerns the child or patient/carer might have, and looks at practical ways to improve things. These could include offering general advice for parents, using creative media to help children express emotions, offering tried and tested ways of solving problems, or sharing their skills to encourage positive mental health.

Lynne Woodall, Team Manager for the central team and organiser of the event, said: “The Norfolk Family Solutions Teams are jointly commissioned by NHS Norfolk, NHS Gt Yarmouth and Waveney and Norfolk County Council to support patients and their families with mental health conditions.

“We are made up of Primary Mental Health Workers (PMHWs) who come from a range of professional backgrounds in nursing, education or social work. People can access the service by referral from any professional working in the area, including GPs, paediatricians, school health teams, teachers, health visitors, social workers and the voluntary sector.

“I urge as many people as possible to come along to the event on October 15 to find out more about what we do to help young people with mental health conditions and to take part in some of the fun activities we have planned.”

The teams have been helping young people in Norfolk for ten years and to mark the occasion, Dawn Rees, Department of Health’s National Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Programme Manager for England will be attending the Norwich event as a special guest. Dawn developed the countywide service with Family Solutions Team managers from a pilot project in 1997 and then strengthened the current service between 1999 and 2003.

Ms Rees said: “Although the Norfolk Family Solutions Teams have been running for 10 years, they remain bang on the button in terms of national policy, which consistently promotes early intervention and prevention as a critical component in the delivery of comprehensive services for families.

“The Family Solutions Teams’ approach is to offer a quick response and non-stigmatising service to families. Their work makes a profound difference to young people in Norfolk with a range of emotional health problems and mental health condition.”

In 2002, the Norfolk teams jointly won the Department of Health Social Care and Health award and in 2006 they were quoted as an example of good practice in the National Service Framework for Children 2003 and in the national NSF review in 2006 for promoting the mental health and psychological well being of children and young people.

To book a place at the event, email Lisa.taylor@norfolk.gov.uk. For more information about services in your area, call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.

- Ends -

Photo Opportunity:
Photographers are welcome to attend, but are asked to contact the NHS Norfolk media team on 01603 257059 to confirm their interest beforehand.

Notes For Editors:
The event will take place on Thursday, October 15, at The Jubilee Centre, Long John Hill, Norwich, NR1 2EX between 2.00pm - 6.00pm.

The Norfolk Family Solutions Teams are jointly commissioned by NHS Norfolk, NHS Gt Yarmouth and Waveney and Norfolk County Council.

Media Contact:
Matthew Barnard
Press Officer
Tel: 01603 257059
matthew.barnard@norfolk.nhs.uk

NHS Norfolk, Lakeside 400, Old Chapel Way, Broadland Business Park, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0WG
 

Free places are being offered on a four-week weight loss course for people in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area.

Health bosses and nutritionists from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) and the Great Yarmouth Community Trust (GYCT) are offering free places on the Life Light programme so people can beat the bulge before Christmas.

Sarah Barnes, Health Improvement Manager for NHS GYW, said: “You still have time to fit into that little black dress with our free Life Light course which includes four nutrition sessions, an exercise taster and a free pedometer.”

Experienced and qualified nutritionists lead the sessions and are able to offer more information about food groups, what is good to eat and why, using expertise unavailable at many dieting groups.

Becky Amies, Community Nutritionist from the GYCT, said: “The course runs over four weeks and heaps of information is covered – all under the guidance of our team of four registered nutritionists and a dietician who all are qualified to at least degree standard.

“We know exactly how each meal should be built and why – information we pass onto all those in the sessions. The team not only has experience in weight loss, but also a great deal of research and background information about food and weight management. It is also tailor-made to fit each individual rather than a one-size fits all approach.

“Many weight programmes mean people are in a revolving door system where they may get the weight off, but it goes straight back on. Our Life programme is great because it’s all about the long-term and our results are showing people are maintaining that weight loss.”

Discussions around food, how to snack healthily, how to read labels, tips on weight management and information on providing for the whole family are all included.

Ms Amies added: “Although we would always refer anyone whose health may be at risk to their doctor, our experience means we can also recognise the signs of people who are lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant and those who show signs of diabetes.

“It’s about bringing all the messages around weight management together in a safe environment of encouragement and support.”

People keen to find out more about exercise are referred for free exercise sessions, tailor-made for them.

Pregnant women can also sign up for Bumps to Life which is a short course around weight maintenance for expectant mothers.

Life Light and Bumps to Life offer:

• A free place open to all
• Qualified, experienced and registered nutritionists as well as a dietician
• Backed-up research into food groups, including building the ideal plate of food
• Individual tailor-made weight management packages
• Free pedometer as well as free cooking and tasting sessions
• Free exercise referral for an individual tailor-made exercise package
• A telephone back-up support service to the team

To sign up or find out more call 01493 852200 or email nutrition@gyctrust.co.uk

Ends

Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s achievements over the past 12 months will be showcased next Wednesday (30 September) at the trust’s annual general meeting.

Taking place at the PCT headquarters at 1, Common Lane North, Beccles, the meeting will give the public the chance to hear presentations on the Annual Report and Accounts for 2008/09. David Edwards OBE, Chairman of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, will also outline some of the trust’s major achievements during the past 12 months, along with its plans for the future.

Everyone attending the meeting will be given the chance to ask questions about healthcare in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, as well as seeing the PCT’s new Living Life website in action. Designed as a one-stop-shop for people with long-term conditions, the website brings together a wealth of information and advice, along with details of where to go locally for help.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in health care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney to join us on Wednesday at our AGM,” said Mr Edwards.

“As well as reflecting on our successes during the past year, we will also be looking forward to the next 12 months and the exciting challenges the future will bring.

“This is the perfect opportunity for people to find out more about the initiatives happening locally and ask any questions they may have.”

The meeting begins at 6pm and light refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend.

A copy of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Annual Report is available on the PCT’s website, at www.gywpct.nhs.uk. Alternatively, hard copies are available from Marie Dutton on 01502 719564.

You can visit the Living Life website at www.livinglife.gyw.nhs.uk

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Issued by Liz Hearnshaw at Zenith Public Relations on 01284 760025.
 

Community Services, which includes services such as district nurses, podiatrists and physiotherapists, are provided directly from NHS GYW as the Primary Care Trust. As part of a national move, we are required to transfer these to a separate provider.

Before we begin the formal procurement process we are making sure we have got everything ready.

As part of that preparation we have arranged a day with a presentation and meetings to encourage interest amongst potential bidders. The event has been advertised nationally. It will be held on 5 October 2009.

The point of the Information Day is to provide an overview of the proposed transfer and to listen to the views of those attending.

It is an informal meeting - it is not part of the procurement process.

For more information regarding the transfer of Community Services please contact Peter Gosling, Project Director on 01502 719972 or email peter.gosling1@nhs.net
 

An all-out campaign to encourage 15-24 year-olds in Norfolk and Waveney to get tested for chlamydia has gone on line this week.

NHS Norfolk and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have launched a new website www.areyougettingit.com to increase take-up of free chlamydia test kits. The website is aimed at the 116,000 15-24 year olds in these areas and the first 1000 young people to order a kit through areyougettingit.com and return a sample will receive a £5 shopping voucher.

NHS Norfolk's Sexual Health Commissioning Manager Julie Hughes, says it is important that as many sexually active young people take the test as possible.

"Chlamydia needs to be discovered and treated early," she said. It can lead to a condition known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can cause infertility in women.

"Everyone - young men and women between the age of 15 and 24 - needs to get hold of one of these kits, because chlamydia often does not show any symptoms. If we can detect it early enough, it can usually be treated with one dose of antibiotics"

Allison Chaplin, Commissioning Manager for Substance Misuse and Sexual Health, from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We hope that young people find this new website fun, easy to use and it gives them the information they need to decide if they need to be screened.”

One of the leading advice centres for young people in Norfolk is the Mancroft Advice Project in Norwich. It has been a key partner with NHS Norfolk in distributing chlamydia test kits and MAP's Chief Executive Dan Mobbs says areyougetting.com will help an important campaign

"MAP, The advice and counselling centre for young people, welcomes the launch of the new Chlamydia website," he said.

"Chlamydia infection is more common than people think and it is important that young people are able to take control over their own health."

The Norfolk and Waveney Chlamydia Screening Programme provides chlamydia testing for NHS Norfolk and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

The test kits can also be ordered by texting "screen" to 80010 or by phoning 01603 221830. Callers to the phone line will also be able to find out how to pick up a pack in person, if they wish to. However only those using areyougettingit.com are eligible to receive a shopping voucher.

Once you have received a test kit, all you have to do is provide a urine sample and send it back for testing.

The health service has challenging targets to reach - it aims to ensure that at least 25 per cent of young people in the target age group take tests. That equates to about 23,000 for NHS Norfolk and 6,300 for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Julie Hughes said there has already been great progress made, with more than 4,300 tests completed in NHS Norfolk between April and July this year.

- Ends -

Media contacts

NHS Norfolk: Tim Curtis
01603 257057

NHS Gt Yarmouth & Waveney:

Lucy Bolton
lucy.bolton@nhs.net
01502 719540

Facts and Figures:

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK today:

Around 70% of young men and 50% of young women will not have any symptoms.

You probably won't know that you have it.

Chlamydia affects both men and women.

You don't need to have had lots of partners to get it.

You don't need to have full sex to get it.

The number of people getting Chlamydia is increasing.
 

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney are pleased to announce the re-appointment of a Non-executive Director to the board.

Anna Lincoln, 62, has been a Non-executive Director for more than seven years and has been re-appointed to serve another four years from October 1, 2009 until September 30, 2013.

Mrs Lincoln, who lives near Beccles, wanted to get involved in health services because of her own experiences and those of her families regarding health care provision.

The mother-of-two said: “I have had my own health problems and my parents for the last few years of their lives had a lot of health problems so I saw the good things and the not so good. So personally I was keen to get involved and think I have brought that patient perspective to the board.
“Within my role as a Non-executive Director at NHS GYW I am most interested in looking at things from the patients’ perspective – particularly looking at the quality of services we deliver.”

Mrs Lincoln added: “I started my career as a biology graduate at the fisheries laboratory in Lowestoft. I went into adult education, and have also been involved in research into local educational needs.
“I have always been interested in health issues because of my biological background.”

The vision of NHS GYW is to secure the fastest improving health in England. A population of 230,000 people is served by NHS GYW, the Primary Care Trust (PCT), covering the area. As a PCT, NHS GYW assesses and meets the health care needs of the population. The Trust commissions the services of 27 GP practices including 143 GPs, 22 dental contractors at 28 sites, 40 pharmacies and 38 opticians as well as commissioning the hospital services for the district.

David Edwards, Chairman at NHS GYW, said: “I am delighted that Anna continues her excellent work as a member of the Board.
“Her experience and contribution will be invaluable as we seek to build on our recent successes on behalf of the people we serve.”

Mrs Lincoln will be paid £7,882, the current rate for all Non-executive Directors. She has not declared any political activity or any ministerial appointments.

Mr Edwards added: “All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.”

Ends
Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have appointed an experienced doctor as their new Chief Executive.

Sushil Jathanna, 52, will join the Primary Care Trust (PCT) from November 1, replacing Paul Zollinger-Read, Interim Chief Executive, since the departure of Mike Stonard in May this year.

Dr Jathanna has a breadth of experience in the public and private medical sector. He began his medical career as a Senior House Officer before becoming a Registrar in Medicine for the Elderly at West Norwich Hospital. He then specialised in public health medicine and went on to become the Director of Public Health in Colchester and Tendring PCTs.

After working in the private sector for six years, leading Care UK’s healthcare division as Managing Director, Dr Jathanna was keen to rejoin the NHS because of his passion to serve the community.

He said: “The strong public service ethos of the NHS is something I admire. I want to bring my NHS background, which included the role of Director of Public Health, as well as my private sector expertise into the Trust at what is an interesting and challenging time across the National Health Service.”

Dr Sushil Jathanna is currently working as Interim Director of World Class Commissioning Transformation for NHS North East Essex.

He added: “As a medically trained doctor with management experience I was attracted to the position and I believe we can build on the progress made and really make a difference to patients.”

David Edwards, Chairman of NHS GYW, said he was delighted to appoint Dr Jathanna to the Trust.

He said: “With a health services background in both the NHS and private health sectors Sushil is ideally placed to take the organisation forward, building on recent successes.

“Sushil’s experience at a senior level in hospital and public health medicine, together with his commercial acumen as a Managing Director in the private health care sector, equips him to lead the Trust at this crucial time in our development.”

Ends
Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

Interview/Photo opportunity:
10.45am – Butterflies Baby Café, Beccles Children’s Centre, Castle Hills, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 7BQ, 01502 718750

Keith Pearson will meet Margaret Holtz, along with parents using the café. Margaret heads up the Baby Café and brought the concept to the area back in 2005.

A regional health official is visiting a popular baby café in Beccles on Wednesday.<2 Sep>

NHS East of England’s Chairman Keith Pearson will be visiting a range of health and community services including the Butterflies Baby Café at Beccles Children’s Centre.
With a growing number of parents regularly using the free baby café, the regional Strategic Health Authority’s Chairman has been invited to look around the café, which opened in May this year and now attracts in excess of 20 mothers at its regular Monday morning meetings from 10am to 12noon.

Margaret Holtz, a Specialist Practitioner Health Visitor from the café, said: “Usually baby cafés attract around six to 10 people but the Beccles café is attracting more than 20 mothers every week.

“This is because the service is very specific about using the café culture brand image of the original concept.

“Baby cafés should be an innovative mix of the hospitality industry meeting and contributing to local health by attracting a sustainable group of pregnant and new mothers, providing continued social support for mothers and dads or partners to breastfeed beyond World health Organisation (WHO) targets of six months and beyond.

“The café in Beccles has provided many young mothers with the confidence to breastfeed in many other cafés and other public places like the library. This is exactly the outcome that the government needs to improve our nation’s health.”

Health bosses from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, along with Mrs Holtz will show Mr Pearson the café.

Mrs Holtz set up the centre through The Baby Café Charitable Trust with the intention of providing expert advice and support via the UNICEF trained team of staff nurses. Local midwives, health visitors, and other key groups from other organisations regularly pop in to network, gain experience and share good practice.

Mrs Holtz added: “Every mother in the NHS GYW area will find that there is access to a baby café somewhere across their area from Monday to Friday. There are cafés on a Monday in Beccles, Tuesday in Great Yarmouth, Wednesday in Martham, Thursday in Lowestoft and Friday in Gorleston. They are all held in the local children's centres.”

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney fund the Beccles Baby Café so it is a free fully-funded service, run by paid facilitators and freely accessible to all mothers, fathers or partners needing support with breastfeeding.

Mr Pearson is also visiting the NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Kittywitches centre in central Yarmouth which, as well as the town’s family planning clinic, offers sexual health advice, the c-card scheme around condom information, counselling and outreach workers with programmes such as MEND tackling childhood obesity.

David Edwards, Chairman at NHS GYW, said: “There is no substitute for seeing our innovative health service in action.

“I am delighted that Keith is able to share this experience and he is sure of a warm professional welcome throughout the visit.”

Mr Pearson will also visit The Priory Centre in Great Yarmouth, view the Community TV screens at Water Lane Sports Centre in Lowestoft and the award-winning Mobile Food Store set up by health professionals from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney to provide fruit and vegetables in areas of deprivation.

Ends
Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

Clubbers, holidaymakers and vulnerable people are being offered a night-time sanctuary in the form of a safe haven caravan.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the “Nightsafe Haven” caravan is being launched this Bank Holiday Weekend as part of a collaborative project to provide a late-night space where anyone who may need help or first aid can go.

The Nightsafe Haven will be launched in Great Yarmouth and situated in the car park to the left of the Marina Centre in Marine Parade (opposite the old Empire cinema building), where people will be able to go if they want advice around drug or alcohol use and any other health information.

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have pledged up to £25,000 to launch the pilot project, which will run on Friday and Saturday night<28 & 29 August> from 11pm to 4am, with the aim of returning at Christmas.

Allison Chaplin, Commissioning Manager for Substance Misuse and Sexual Health from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The aim of the project is to offer a place of safety and first aid to any individual in difficulty while out in Yarmouth.
“The Primary Care Trust has funded the project in the hope of reducing hospital admission rates related to alcohol use.
“We are also concerned about young people binge-drinking and making themselves vulnerable and at risk of theft or attack.”

The project supports the Nightsafe campaign which was set up five years ago in Great Yarmouth to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence in the night-time economy.
Involving the police, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Centre Partnership and Trading Standards the project aims to make Great Yarmouth a safer place to work and visit at night.

Members of Voluntary Norfolk have brought together a number of organisations to help run the service, with the YMCA leading the project. Other agencies include St John Ambulance, The Matthew Project, Norfolk Constabulary and the Street Pastors.

St John Ambulance volunteers will be carrying out first aid and there will be health information on board the caravan – which is branded with the word “Voicebox”. Information will cover a variety of issues including substance misuse, smoking and sexual health.

Simon O’Leary, Acting Development Coordinator for Voluntary Norfolk, said: “This is a vital step forward in offering much-needed support to people who may have gone out for the evening and found themselves in a vulnerable position, but the caravan will not be a place for people to sleep, stay or meet.
“This weekend will be the first time that Street Pastors will be on duty in the streets of Great Yarmouth, their role is to be available to listen to or help anyone in trouble or distress.”

Police chiefs at Norfolk Constabulary are supporting the initiative. Dave Gladden, Crime Reduction Officer from Norfolk Constabulary, said: “The Nightsafe Haven will really add value to the night-time economy. It works very well in other areas and it adds another dimension to the town, which attracts a lot of extra visitors in the summer.
“We are really confident that we will engage with a number of people who may have issues with drink, drugs or violence.
“Then we can signpost them on for further support, something that may not have happened if they hadn’t been engaged with the team at the caravan.”

Photo opportunity: Tuesday, August 25 between 3.30pm and 4pm at the Wymondham Skate Park, Browick Road, Wymondham (the Aylton Road junction).

Contact on day: Lucy Bolton 07946 150626 or Simon O’Leary, 07881 878081

This is an opportunity for photos to be taken with Simon O’Leary from Voluntary Norfolk with the Voicebox caravan.
Simon will also be available here for press interviews or throughout the week if reporters are unable to make this time and location – please contact through Lucy Bolton to arrange.

Apologies that the caravan is not at a location nearer to the Great Yarmouth or Waveney area. This will be the only photo opportunity before Friday. If you are unable to attend, some existing images of the caravan can be emailed – contact Lucy Bolton.
Ends
Issued by Lucy Bolton, Communications Manager, lucy.bolton@nhs.net 01502 719540 or 07946 150626.
 

Smokers reminded of free support to help them quit

Smokers in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area can send a text message asking for support to help them quit the habit.

Anyone who is keen to find out more about stopping smoking can text the word Quit to the number 65000 and they will be contacted within 24 hours by a health professional who will then offer a range of services best suited to that person.

The support service is free and is being offered by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) to any smoker who is thinking about stopping.

Vicki Snelgrove, Tobacco Control Commissioning Advisor for NHS GYW, said: “You are four times more likely to quit if you do it through a stop smoking service than if you go it alone.”

The service includes a range of information, advice and treatment for people who want to stop smoking.

People may be referred to specialists for one-to-one advice, information and advice about the latest treatments through support sessions at a mutual place beneficial to that individual.

Miss Snelgrove added: “Evidence shows that people who go out and buy their own self-help medication only buy enough for the bare need.”
“It is really hard to say how long an individual may take to stop smoking but the average is eight to 12 weeks.”
If you are thinking about stopping smoking text Quit to 65000.
Ends
 

Acupuncture treatment for back pain supported by national guidelines

People living with back pain in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area may be offered acupuncture as part of their physiotherapy treatment.

Physiotherapists working for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s Community Services team offer acupuncture alongside other forms of treatment for low back pain. Although this practice has been provided for several years, the raised profile comes after national guidance is backing support of this form of treatment.

Amanda Cousins, Chief Operating Officer for the Community Services team, said: “The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently issued guidelines to cover the early treatment and management of persistent non-specific low back pain that has lasted for more than six weeks but for less than 12 months.”

Non-specific low back pain is defined as tension, soreness and/or stiffness in the lower back region for which it is not possible to identify a specific cause of the pain.

Mrs Cousins added: “Great Yarmouth and Waveney Community Services aims to provide the very best care for patients with this condition.
“The NICE guidelines support the provision of acupuncture and also recommend spinal manipulative therapy/mobilisation, structured exercise programs and education."

A group of physiotherapists, within the team, have undertaken the additional training required and are able to offer acupuncture as part of their treatment “repertoire”.

Among the treatment for patients with back pain, individuals will be offered:

• Acupuncture
• Spinal manipulation/mobilisation
• Structured exercise programmes on a 1:1 or group basis
• Provision of education

Mrs Cousins added: “We will be working over the coming year to gain feedback from our patients in order to improve our services further.”
Ends
 

Two new board appointments for health trust

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have welcomed the appointment of two Non-executive Directors who have joined the board.

Patricia Brocklebank, 55, joins as a Non-executive Director, and John Plaskett, 61, already a Non-executive Director, is appointed as the Audit Chair on the board of the Primary Care Trust based in Beccles.

Mr Plaskett, a father-of-two from Gorleston, who has already served on the board for two and a half years as a Non-executive Director and then Chairman of the Audit Committee from November 2008, said: “I am delighted to be given the joint roles of Chairman of the Audit Committee and Non-executive Director for the next four years.
“I plan to use the experience gained in the electronics industry over 40 years to help steer the PCT to achieve our ambitious plans and provide a world class health environment for the people of Waveney and Great Yarmouth.
“There will inevitably be major challenges ahead and I believe I can make a contribution to achieve change and provide improved services."

The vision of NHS GYW is to secure the fastest improving health in England. A population of 230,000 people is served by NHS GYW, the Primary Care Trust (PCT), covering the area. As a PCT, NHS GYW assesses and meets the health care needs of the population. The Trust commissions the services of 27 GP practices including 143 GPs, 22 dental contractors at 28 sites, 40 pharmacies and 38 opticians as well as commissioning the hospital services for the district.

Mrs Brocklebank, mother-of-one from Blofield, formally a director at Anglian Water, said: “I think it’s very worthwhile and the NHS has a huge challenge in the future to provide the services we need.
“I know the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area is very interesting because of the diversity in rural and urban communities throughout the area.”

David Edwards, Chairman at NHS GYW, said: “I am delighted that our important Audit Committee is in such good hands. John’s work on the board generally is appreciated and he brings considerable experience to the Audit Chair role which he has already fulfilled on a short-term basis.
“I look forward to Patricia’s contribution to the work of our board. She brings directly relevant experience from another sector particularly in respect of communication and public engagement. I am sure she will help the organisation build on current success.
“All appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.”

Mrs Brocklebank and Mr Plaskett started on Monday, August 3 based on a four-year period of employment. Mr Plaskett will be paid £13,136 per annum for his role of Audit Chair, Mrs Brocklebank will be paid £7,882, the current rate for all Non-executive Directors. Neither has declared any political activity or any ministerial appointments.

Mr Edwards added: “All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.”
Ends