YOUR
HEALTH
MARCH 2016
ISSUE NO. 002
THANK
YOU!
Record-breaking number of patients and stakeholders
attend event to discuss health priorities
INSIDE
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
Busy surgery
to expand
Could you have
Coeliac Disease?
PAGE 7
How to avoid
child obesity
For patients, staff, GPs and all people in Lincoln and Gainsborough
www.lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk
Follow us on social media
@NHSLincsWest
Follow us on Twitter @NHSLincsWest
A WARM
WELCOME
By Sarah Newton
Chief Operating Officer
at Lincolnshire West
CCG
I
Dozens unite to voice health
views in record breaking event
would like to welcome you to our latest
edition of Your Health.
main challenges.
Attendees then voted privately as to
what their top three priorities were
from the outlined list.
We also touch upon the sterling work being
done by our local Tinnitus group and bring
you the latest developments from our GP
surgeries. Portland Medical Practice is
holding a special engagement event this
month, while our friends at Lindum Medical
Practice are expanding their premises.
Like many organisations this is a very busy
time of year for Lincolnshire West CCG. In
January, we were notified of our funding
allocation for 2016/17 and can now begin to
finalise next year’s Operating Plan – and our
contracts with healthcare providers.
Work is also continuing with the Lincolnshire
Health and Care Strategy – after a host
of workshops were held in January and
February and focused on mental health and
planned care services.
Finally, I would personally like to say a big
thank you to all those who attended our
stakeholder event in January to help us
select our key health priorities for 2016/17. It
was great to hear from so many enthusiastic
people.
What is Lincolnshire
West CCG?
O
UR Clinical Commissioning Group
is one of four across Lincolnshire
and more than 200 countrywide, which
works to buy healthcare for its respective
group of residents. Lincolnshire West
includes 240,000 people living in Lincoln,
Gainsborough and surrounding villages.
We are made up of 37 GP surgeries who
all work to provide or buy high quality
healthcare services – helping to reduce
health inequalities for our residents.
2
H
EALTH bosses have thanked
residents and stakeholders after
a record-breaking number of people
attended an event to discuss
healthcare priorities across Lincoln
and Gainsborough.
Lincolnshire West Clinical
Commissioning Group welcomed
more than 70 people to its
commissioning intentions event at
The Showroom, Lincoln, on January
29.
“The event was
extremely successful
and we would again like
to thank everyone who
came out to share their
views.”
course taken them all on board.
“It is important to stress that these
emerging priorities are not the only
health issues we will be dealing
with. But after much work, they
have been identified as very current
and key issues.”
Nicola Tallent, senior engagement
officer at Healthwatch Lincolnshire,
said: “I thought the event was
very well attended with a broad
spectrum of organisational interest
and perhaps more importantly for
me, I look forward to the roll out of
those messages and priorities to
the local people of Lincolnshire.”
For those who could not attend
the event, Lincolnshire West CCG
bosses are encouraging them to
take part in an online survey.
It was an opportunity for patients
and health partners to have their
say on future plans and share their
healthcare experiences.
EMBERS of the public are welcome to
attend any of the following events over
the coming weeks.
Doing so will help people understand more
about the work of Lincolnshire West CCG and
the local health service in general.
Coeliac UK Lincolnshire Group Cookery
Demonstration: March 5 (10.30am-1pm).
Wragby Town Hall, Louth Road, Wragby.
Kevin Gibson, engagement
manager at the CCG, said: “We are
pleased with the high number of
people who turned out but we want
to hear from as many people as we
can.
“The online survey is the perfect
way of doing so.”
To take part in the survey, visit:
www.ow.ly/YBwuf
TOP SIX PRIORITIES
• Improving Cancer Outcomes
• Delivering Integrated
Diabetes Care
• Supporting People with
Heart Failure
• Enhancing Mental Health
• Improving Prescribed
Efficiency
• Supporting Sustainable
Primary Care
Portland Medical Practice’s Your Health
Engagement Day: March 15 (1pm-3pm).
Portland Medical Practice, Portland Street,
Lincoln.
Primary Care Commissioning Committee:
March 16 (1.30pm-3.30pm). The Epic
Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grangede-Lings, Lincoln.
Lincolnshire Carers and Young Carers
Partnership Roadshow: March 18 (10am12.30pm). Spilsby Theatre, Church Street,
Spilsby.
LWCCG Governing Body: March 23
(1.30pm-4.30pm). The Epic Centre,
Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings,
Lincoln.
Lincolnshire Carers and Young Carers
Partnership Review Meeting: April 6
(10.30am-3pm). The Source, Riverside
Church, Southgate, Sleaford.
Lincoln Tinnitus Support Group: April 7
(7pm-9pm). The Priory Centre, Colegrave
Street, Lincoln.
Primary Care Commissioning Committee:
April 20 (1.30pm-3.30pm). The Epic Centre,
Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings,
Lincoln.
Moving into 2016/17, doctors
outlined an emerging focus
around cancer, mental health,
diabetes, cardiovascular disease
and prescribing. Of those, event
participants were asked to choose
their top three priorities.
Rebecca Neno, deputy chief
nurse at Lincolnshire West Clinical
Commissioning Group, said: “The
event was extremely successful
and we would again like to thank
everyone who came out to share
their views. We have listened to
what people had to say and of
M
Lincoln Tinnitus Support Group: March
3 (7pm-9pm). The Priory Centre, Colegrave
Street, Lincoln.
People divided into groups to
discuss their views on the CCG’s
top priorities and healthcare in
general.
This month’s magazine focuses on a number
of important issues – including children’s
health and raising awareness around Coeliac
Disease.
DATES FOR
YOUR DIARY
Please note, meeting times are subject to
change. To confirm dates and times, or for
further details on what to expect from the
meetings, email Sarah Behan at sarah.
[email protected] or call
her on 01522 515381.
For meetings related to Lincolnshire
Carers and Young Carers Partnership, call
01522 846911. Alternatively, email info@
lincscarerspartnership.net.
Annette Lumb, head of planning
and corporate governance at
the CCG, kicked off the event
by welcoming attendees, before
Doctor Sunil Hindocha took
questions around the health body’s
www.lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk
With thanks to Chris
Vaughan Photography for his
contribution of photos in this issue.
Follow us on social media
@NHSLincsWest
3
STAND UP IN
THE NAME
OF HEALTH!
Special event to enhance patient
engagement at busy city practice
together.
“It gives us extra time to talk to people
and really listen to what they have to
say. Clinics can become extremely
busy places and so there is limited
time to actually sit down and have an
informal chat.
By Martin Thomas
Personal Trainer
I
SPEND much of my career observing
and correcting movement and posture in
people to help them move more freely.
“This is an important day as we look
to engage better with patients who
are used to different systems in other
European countries. Their trust in the
service we provide isn’t great, but
this is a chance to improve that and
improve healthcare overall.
Have you heard the latest phrase ‘sitting is
the new smoking?’ It is targeted at those
who are predominantly desk-bound and
potentially creating future problems for
themselves.
When sitting for long periods, even those
of us with perfect posture and a properly
set up workspace can suffer repercussions.
Did you know any pelvic imbalance can be
exacerbated by prolonged sitting? AND that
you can burn around 27,000 calories less
per year than a person who does the same
job, but stands up to do it?
It even has an effect on how efficiently
your body reduces blood sugar levels after
meals.
Perhaps a sedentary and predominantly
seated job may conjure images of
stereotypical professions, so a comparison
may help you understand how you can
change your working practice for yourself,
or your staff, to help alleviate immediate or
future problems.
A travel agent may spend large amounts
of the working day seated in front of a
computer. However, a sales person in, say
an electrical store, may be demonstrating
different computers to customers.
The latter is normally done standing up and
we accept that as normal. The sales person
has significant advantages in terms of
health benefits, described above, over the
person sitting at the desk.
It is perhaps time to look again at the design
of our office space and ask the question
‘could this job be done standing up?”
On a personal note, when checking emails I
usually stand and read them from my iPad.
It is important to remember being active is
not just about going for a run or walk, but
more about not being inactive. Standing
up as often as you can will really make a
difference.
For further details, email martin@
mandarinleisure.com or call him on
01526 399121. Alternatively, visit www.
mandarinleisure.com or @mandarinleisure
on Twitter.
4
A
Caroline Collins
LINCOLN GP practice will hold a
special engagement event with its
patients later this month.
Portland Medical Practice, previously
named City Medical Practice, is
encouraging people to drop-in on
March 15 to discuss any enquiries they
may have and learn more about the
local health service.
Many of the 9,000 patients the practice
serves are Eastern European. While
the event, named Your Health, is largely
focused on engaging with these, others
are more than welcome to attend.
The event has been organised by
the practice itself, the City of Lincoln
Council and the Lincolnshire Polish
Society.
Caroline Collins, practice manager at
the Portland Street-based site, said:
“This kind of event brings people
The event will be staged at the practice
and run between 1-3pm. There will be
light refreshments and a number of
activities for both adults and children to
take part in.
Paul Carrick, neighbourhood manager
at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“The event will provide an excellent
opportunity for residents of the local
area to find out more about the services
available locally.
“It also demonstrates the excellent
partnership between organisations in
the Sincil Bank area of the city.”
For further details about the event,
email Caroline Collins on Caroline.
[email protected] .
• Portland Medical Practice has recently
launched a new Twitter page. You can
follow the surgery by searching for
portlandsurgery.
L
The CCG’s communications and
engagement team will use the social
media site to post about upcoming
events, offer health tips and keep
people informed of developments in the
health service.
The page, which already has 100 ‘likes’,
will work alongside its established
Twitter page.
Mark Williams, communications and
engagement officer at the CCG, said:
“Social media is an important platform
for us to deliver health messages to the
patients we serve.
“Many of our patients in Lincoln,
Gainsborough and surrounding villages
will have Facebook accounts and it
is a great way of communicating and
engaging with people.
“While there will be vital messages to
get across, we also aim to make the
page as user-friendly and interesting as
it can be.”
“We would also like to thank all of
those who have been very quick off the
mark and liked our page already. We
welcome all feedback.”
To access the page, simply search
NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical
Commissioning Group on Facebook.
To give your feedback on the page,
email mark.williams@lincolnshirewest.
nhs.uk.
www.lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk
HEALTH
IN BRIEF
VOICE YOUR VIEWS TODAY
People are being urged to join their local
Patient Participation Group.
A PPG is a group of patients registered with
a GP surgery who have no medical training
but have an interest in the healthcare services
provided locally.
The aim of the PPG is to represent patients’
views and cross barriers, embrace diversity
and to work in partnership with the surgery to
improve common understanding.
People who want to make a difference in their
community and in local healthcare delivery,
are urged to sign up.
“Everyone at the practice is really
looking forward to it.”
New Facebook page launched
INCOLNSHIRE West Clinical
Commissioning Group is delighted
to announce it has launched its new
Facebook page.
GP surgery
celebrates significant
expansion after
£200,000 boost
Looking to the future: Pauline Mardle
A
BUSY GP surgery will expand
under £200,000 worth of plans
to cope with the growing number of
patients it serves.
Work has already started at Lindum
Medical Practice, in Cabourne Court,
Lincoln, on three new consulting rooms
and a minor surgery unit.
GPs themselves have invested around
£75,000 towards the project – with the
rest of the cash granted by the NHS
England Primary Care Investment
Fund.
The work is due to be completed by the
start of April.
Pauline Mardle, practice manager,
said: “We are delighted to have been
successful in our bid.
“Our partners are committed to the
future of primary care in the five-year
forward view and improving services for
our patients.
“General Practices are under
extreme pressure, with demand and
expectations higher than ever.
“We have always been restricted by
lack of space. But the new rooms will
allow us to hold extra clinics and offer
better services to our patients, closer to
home.”
It is hoped the extra room will enable
the surgery to recruit more doctors
and nurses in a bid to deal with an
increasing demand for services.
Currently, the surgery caters for 8,600
patients.
Claire Darbyshire, senior engagement
and quality manager at Lincolnshire
West Clinical Commissioning Group,
said: “The expansion is really good
news for everyone concerned.
“The surgery aims to provide the best
quality of care it can and an expansion
of this kind, with new facilities and more
room, can only help.”
Ear problems? Join your local group!
P
EOPLE who suffer from tinnitus are
being encouraged to attend a local
support group.
John Taylor, spokesman for Lincoln
Tinnitus Group, said: “The condition is
often described as ringing in the ears but
it can also be buzzing, humming, grinding,
hissing and whistling.
“For some people it may come and go
and only be a minor irritation. However, it
can sometimes be continuous and have a
significant impact on everyday life.
Follow us on social media
PRACTICE NURSE CONFERENCE
A practice nurse conference will take place in
Sleaford later this year.
The event will be held at New Life Conference
Centre, Mareham Lane, on Wednesday, May
11. It will run between 9.15am and 4.30pm.
On the agenda is national and local updates,
clinical practice master-classes and nurse
revalidation. Key note speakers will be Dr
Crystal Oldman, chief executive at Queen’s
Nursing Institute and Anne Moger, primary
care nurse advisor at NHS England.
The conference is free. To book your
spot, email: practicenurseconference@
lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk.
CHANGES IN RHEUMATOLOGY
GP surgeries across Lincoln and
Gainsborough are being reminded to respond
to emails from United Lincolnshire Hospitals
Trust in relation to rheumatology treatment.
After the consultant makes the diagnosis
and decides on appropriate drug therapy,
these are then prescribed and the patient is
monitored until stabilised.
The next gathering of Lincoln Tinnitus
Support Group will take place on
Thursday, March 3 (7pm-9pm).
Almost 10 per cent of the country’s
population is believed to suffer from the
condition – where someone frequently
hears sounds coming from inside their
body rather than from an outside source.
For information on how to join your local
PPG, speak to a member of staff at your GP
practice.
“We would really like to see as many
people as possible, who may suffer from
tinnitus, or those who have loved ones
with the condition, to come to the support
group. It’s an opportunity for everyone to
share their stories and receive any advice
they may need.”
The group meets at The Priory Centre,
Colegrave Street, Lincoln, every first
Thursday of the month – except in August.
For further details about the group, email
[email protected] or call George or
Lorraine on 01522 878378. Tea and cake
will be available during the meetings.
@NHSLincsWest
Once the patient is stabilised, ULHT will write
to the patient’s GP to request shared care.
But it has emerged not all GP practices are
responding to the letter within the two-week
deadline. All responses should be sent to [email protected].
If there are any issues, contact Melissa Hall,
delivery improvement facilitator, at melissa.
[email protected] or on 01522
513355 (extension: 5508).
Alternatively, contact Alex Newton, locality
improvement facilitator, at alex.newton@
lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk or on 01522
513355 (extension: 5509).
5
Could you have Coeliac Disease?
Simple steps to avoid child obesity
M
ORE than one in three children
leaving primary school in Lincoln
are obese – according to latest figures.
Your Health caught up with one of
Lincoln’s most experienced doctors to
get his advice for parents and carers
if they believe their child may be
overweight.
City GP heads to London
A
LINCOLN doctor will address a large
congregation of health professionals at
a conference in London this month.
Doctor Sunil Hindocha will speak at the
event – which will focus on how to deliver
better integrated care for older and frail
residents – on March 15.
The full-day conference, organised by The
King’s Fund, will examine the relationships
between acute, primary, community and
social care services. It will also look at ways
older people can be supported better to
maintain their health and wellbeing.
Dr Hindocha, clinical chief officer for
Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning
Group, will talk about a proactive
care project – which aims to improve
relationships between a number of health
providers.
D
Many shrug their shoulders and accept
these as part and parcel of a hectic
lifestyle.
In fact, these could all be symptoms to
a disease that very few ever expect to
have – Coeliac Disease.
“Once I got over the initial shock of
not being able to eat so many things I
enjoyed in my diet, I embraced it. The
lack of gluten, wheat and dairy in my diet
now means I feel so much more focused.
This damages the surface of the small
bowel (intestines) and disrupts the body’s
ability to absorb nutrients from food.
“I feel far less tired and I am living life to
the full again.”
Around one in 100 are diagnosed with
the disease in Lincolnshire – but it is
estimated one quarter of sufferers go
undiagnosed. To control it, sufferers must
obey a strict gluten-free diet.
Group organiser Keyna Paul, who was
diagnosed in 2009, said: “Finally getting
diagnosed with Coeliac Disease has
actually helped me get my life back on
track.
Claire Taylor, events marketing coordinator,
said: “We are expecting at least 150 health
and social care professionals to attend the
event, offering a unique opportunity for
delegates to network and share learning. “We are very much looking forward to Dr
Sunil Hindocha’s presentation.”
6
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
In cases of Coeliac Disease, the immune
system mistakes substances found inside
gluten as a threat to the body - and duly
attacks them.
“The scheme is bringing together social
care, commissioners, secondary care
clinicians, the ambulance service, mental
health providers and community nurses to
create a frailty pathway.
The King’s Fund is an independent charity
which works to improve health and care
in England – helping to shape policy and
practice through research and analysis.
EATING HEALTHY MEALS
O you constantly feel tired? Or suffer
from bloating, mouth ulcers, tingling
fingers or low mood?
Now, local campaigners Coeliac UK
Lincolnshire Group are urging people to
have tests done if they suffer from such
symptoms.
“Many older people living with frailty have
repeated emergency admissions, stay in
hospital longer and have complex needs
which require many different services
working together to provide an integrated
service.”
I would advise parents and carers to try
the following five tips:”
Back on the right path: Keyna Paul
He said: “I am really looking forward to
talking to dedicated workers in the NHS
and other care providers about this project.
“Managing frailty is a key issue for health
and social care services.
Doctor Sunil Hindocha, clinical chief
officer for Lincolnshire West Clinical
Commissioning Group, said: “If your
child is overweight, there are lots of
things you can do to help them become
a healthy weight as they grow.
“I could not understand why I was having
to pull over on the side of the road to
take a nap so frequently. But like many
people before they were diagnosed, I just
thought it was because I was working too
hard. Similarly, I used to get itchy hands
quite a bit.
MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF
COELIAC DISEASE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Diarrhoea
Tiredness
Anaemia
Bloating
Stomach pain
Wind
Low mood
Weight loss
Mouth ulcers
Hair loss
Itchy fingers
While some symptoms may not
necessarily mean Coeliac Disease,
blood test results could signal a number
of allergies or intolerances to a number
of foods including wheat, eggs, dairy,
meat and even pollen.
Children learn by example. One of the
most powerful ways to encourage your
child to be active and eat well is to do so
yourself.
You can start by going for a walk or bike
ride instead of watching television or
surfing the internet. Playing in the park or
swimming with your children shows them
that being active is fun – and it is a good
way for you all to spend time together.
CHILD-SIZE
PORTIONS
“Psychologically, it is better to know
there are others out there with similar
symptoms. Knowledge is power, after
all.”
The group will hold its first cookery
demonstration event on Saturday, March
5. It will take place at Wragby Town Hall,
Wragby, and run between 10.30am and
1pm.
For all other enquiries about the group,
call Keyna Paul on 07889 389590.
Alternatively, you can email her at
[email protected].
FOODS WITH GLUTEN IN
•
•
•
•
•
•
Most cereals
Pasta
Cakes
Most bread
Certain sauces
Many ready meals
www.lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk
Getting that five-a-day shouldn’t
be too difficult. All fruit and veg
counts towards that end total,
including fresh, tinned,
frozen and dried. Juices,
smoothies and beans
also count.
LESS SCREEN
TIME AND MORE
SLEEP
The county group holds monthly coffee
support meetings. In Lincoln, they
are on the first Friday of the month, at
Starbucks, Tritton Road. They start at
10am.
Keyna added: “These meetings are
a great way for people to share their
stories and get things off their chest.
Children, like adults, should try
to eat five portions of fruit and
vegetables every day. They are
a great source of fibre, vitamins
and minerals.
Try to avoid feeding your
child large portions. It
is best to avoid using
adult-size plates for
younger children and it
encourages them to eat
oversized portions.
How to
avoid child
obesity
GET ACTIVE
Overweight children do not need more exercise
because their extra body weight actually means they
will naturally burn more calories.
Children need about 60 minutes of physical activity
a day for good health. But it doesn’t need to be all at
once.
Several short 10-minute bursts of activity throughout
the day can be just as good. Examples can be ball
games, ‘tag’,
climbing
frames,
skateboarding,
skipping ,
dancing and
martial arts.
Follow us on social media
@NHSLincsWest
Alongside the advice
to get them moving
more is the need to
reduce the time they
spend sitting or lying
down in the day.
GETTING TO
KNOW YOU
Name: Wendy Martin
Position: Lead Nurse and Midwife
Main Role: I lead agendas around
nursing and midwifery and also head up
quality and governance at Lincolnshire
West Clinical Commissioning Group.
How long have you worked in the
NHS? Wow – more than 30 years now. I
started in 1985.
What is the best part of the job?
I work with some absolutely amazing
people at Lincolnshire West Clinical
Commissioning Group. We have some
very hard working and talented people
here.
What is the toughest part of the job?
There are a lot of meetings. And not all
of them have productive outcomes. That
is the most frustrating part of the job.
What is your favourite food?
Barbequed fish – but it has to be while
on the beach!
What hobbies do you have away from
such a busy job?
One of my New Year’s Resolutions was
to get out and do more walking and
swimming. But I love my sailing and
also do a lot of charity work overseas
– helping Maternal and Childhealth
Advocacy International.
Where is your favourite place in the
world? Tough one. Either Housel Bay in
Cornwall, or anywhere in Africa.
Name something you can’t live
without: My two sons, Dougie and Max.
Limit the time they
spend on inactive
pastimes like
watching TV, playing
video games and
playing on electronic
devices.
There is no hard and
fast advice on how
much is too much, but
experts advise that
children should watch
no more than two
hours of television
each day.
Wendy Martin
7
Get in touch!
@NHSLincsWest
NHS Lincolnshire West
Clinical Commissioning Group
NHS Lincolnshire West
Clinical Commissioning Group
You can call the CCG direct on
01522 513355
And what do you think of our magazine? We would love to hear your
thoughts.
Email us at [email protected]
If you are interested in becoming involved in our work, please contact
us by emailing [email protected]
For all our latest news and developments, visit
www.lincolnshirewestccg.nhs.uk
(If you have a concern, compliment or complaint about Lincolnshire
West CCG, call 0300 311 22 33)
NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group
Cross O’Cliff
Bracebridge Heath
Lincoln
LN4 2HN
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