Archive for June, 2014

As part of commemorations to mark WWI, Sefton residents are being invited to come along to Southport beach on Friday 4 July to take part in a record breaking attempt to create the biggest ever human poppy on the sands.

Sefton CVS, the council and the Royal British Legion are staging the event and are inviting local people aged over aged 96 and their families to come along as VIP guests.

Over six thousand school children from across the borough will gather to take part in a variety of exercises reflecting those undertaken by troops prior to being sent overseas.

At the end of the event they will help to form the large scale ‘Human Poppy’ in remembrance of local service men and women. The current world record stands at 2190 participants.

The Poppy on the Beach will start a much wider programme of events taking place across the whole of Sefton from 2014-19 to commemorate the Great War.

Everyone is welcome to come along and the event expected to take place from 11am until around 2pm. If you would like to take part in the record attempt, call to help organisers with their planning and you’ll be asked to wear red, black or green clothing on the day.

Are you looking to meet new friends and do something worthwhile in your community? Have you got a couple of spare hours a week to help others? If the answers yes, then why not become a volunteer for Sefton OPERA?

The organisation is looking for people help us with their ‘pamper’ teams.  These teams go out and spend time talking and listening to vulnerable older citizens across Sefton. Volunteering offers you a chance to:

• Be a good citizen – Feel active, useful and a productive member of your community
• Learn New Skills – or build on old ones.  With us you may learn a variety of massage and relaxation techniques
• Meet New Friends – If you are feeling lonely, there is no better way to meet people and develop friendships than with people with the same common interests

As a volunteer, Sefton OPERA will also provide regular social activities for you to take part in. So, why not give the team a call on to find out more or email

iVan, the Cancer Awareness, Information and Support Van is coming to Sefton this July.

The 27 foot long bright yellow mobile service tours Merseyside and Cheshire, parking up in shopping areas and community spaces, so anyone wanting to know more about cancer can just drop-in, with no appointment needed.

It will be in Sefton on the following dates:

• Wednesday 9 July – Crosby Village
• Tuesday 22 July – outside the Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport

Anyone can simply walk on and speak to one of the fully qualified nurses or simply browse the iVan’s comprehensive information library of leaflets around spotting the signs and symptoms of cancer, early detection and prevention.

You can find out more about the iVan by visiting www.mccn.nhs.uk

Look inside Liverpool’s ‘Brain Hospital’ at a special open afternoon on 28th June.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is opening its doors on Saturday 28 June from 1pm to 4pm and all are welcome!

Join our Cycling Challenge, try some Therapies, have a go at resuscitation, enjoy games, activities and children’s entertainment. We also have an exhibition about local WW1 hero Captain Noel Chavasse and special careers talks. Mersey Fire Service will be bringing a fire engine and Liverpool Community Health are also offering health advice.

Thinking about a career or know someone who is? Careers talks (including brain surgery on watermelons!) will be held at 12.30pm and 1.30pm but you need to book by emailing or calling . Plus speak to staff to find out more about NHS careers and apprenticeships in a specialist neuroscience hospital.

Find out more on The Walton Centre’s website.

Doctors and nurses are warning against the risks of excessive drinking during the World Cup.

Dr Alan Owens, A&E consultant and alcohol lead at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said: “The more we drink the more likely we’ll be involved in an assault, domestic violence, self-harm or simply fall over and hurt ourselves.

“Any of these could mean a visit to A&E and late kick offs for England’s games, with more time for drinking, could make things worse.”

Mandy Smith, who leads the alcohol liaison team at Southport hospital, said we can all enjoy the World Cup safely and prevent unnecessary trips to A&E by thinking about what and how we drink. This includes:

• Avoiding drinking before leaving the house (preloading): it may be cheaper to buy alcohol at the supermarket but preloading is associated with an increase in overall consumption
• Staying out of rounds: people in rounds drink more and faster than if you are controlling your own intake
• Alternating alcohol with a soft drink – and tap water is free

Dr Owens added: “Lastly, if a friend is intoxicated, make sure they get home safely and don’t just leave them slumped at the side of the road. They are a risk to themselves and others. They are especially at increased risk of sexual assault.”

Anyone concerned about their alcohol consumption who would like support should contact Sefton Treatment & Recovery Service (STARS) on .

 

Clinics providing sexual health services are changing to take care closer to patients.

From the start of June 2014 sexual health services are being delivered from five clinics across Sefton where patients can drop in or make an appointment.

The services provided by Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust will include screening, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, cervical cytology and the full range of contraceptive choices including emergency contraception.

Dr Paula Briggs, Locum Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health, said: “We’re bringing responsive sexual health care closer to where people live which will improve access to care, which is at the core of health and well being. Wherever possible, patients will receive assessment and treatment during the same visit.

“We hope that the new service will make it easier to speak to clinicians with a range of sexual health expertise. The change in the way the service delivers care aims to make it easier for service users to access the help they require in all aspects of sexual health care. We value patient feedback and will respond accordingly to the needs of the local population.”

The changes mean the walk-in service at Southport hospital will become an appointment-only service for patients with more complex genitourinary problems.

 

Finding health advice just got easier with the launch of our new digital TV service and smartphone app – Looking Local.

Both are free and provide Southport and Formby residents with a wealth of information – from how to live a healthy lifestyle, to locating their nearest pharmacy, GP or dentist.

Fiona Clark, Chief Officer for NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “A reoccurring theme in all our discussions with local residents is about how we can make health information more accessible, to help people choose the right service when they are ill, or to get help and advice about staying fit and well for as long as possible. Looking Local is one of the ways we are doing this.

“Because we know there are still a lot of people who don’t use the internet at home but who do have interactive digital TV or a smartphone, Looking Local is ideal in helping us to reach more people with the information they’ve told us they want.

“By simply searching our new digital TV service or using our smartphone app people can find up to date details about a wide range of local health services and support – such as free courses to stop smoking, manage weight, or reduce stress and anxiety through talking therapies – as well as getting help and advice about living with conditions like cancer, kidney disease and breathing illnesses.”

Some people can also book appointments at their GP practice using Looking Local. Southport and Formby residents should ask their practice if they offer online booking and how to do it using Looking Local.

“We felt it was really important to provide links to other local services, so we have included details about partners like Sefton Council and Healthwatch Sefton, as well as Universal Jobmatch so people can search hundreds of current vacancies.”

NHS Southport and Formby CCG’s Looking Local channel can be found on Sky and Virgin Media TV, internet and mobile web, Wii games consoles and as an app for smartphones or tablets.

Here’s how:

• Sky – Go to the Community Channel (539) and press the RED button. Then search for your area or choose: Northern England, North West, Merseyside then NHS Southport and Formby CCG
• Virgin media – Press the HOME button on your remote control, choose INTERACTIVE, select “Local & Directory Enquiries”, select “Looking Local”, or Go to the Community Channel (233) and press the RED button. Then search for your area or choose: Northern England, North West, Merseyside then NHS Southport and Formby CCG
• Online / Wii / mobile web – www.lookinglocal.gov.uk/southportformbyccg
• To download the app go to either Google Play or the iTunes App Store – then search for NHS SFCCG