West Cheshire Health Matters
Vol 3 Issue 2 – August 2014
You Said, We Did…
Young mums-to-be and young parents told us they did not want to go to prebirthing classes
So, we personally invited young mums-to-be and young parents to a local
community setting to find out more about pre-birthing classes. Whilst they
were with us they had the opportunity to have a free massage, a makeover
and some yoga. Friends, partners, mothers and grandmothers came along too.
The afternoon was a great success with many of the young mums-to-be
registering for pre-birth classes. We are looking forward to doing a similar
event in Ellesmere Port in the autumn. Please contact Event co-ordinator Janet
Beech for further details. (janet.beech2@nhs.net or tel 01244 365000)
Local respiratory patients told us we needed to improve rehabilitation for
patients with lung conditions.
So, our newly set up Respiratory Network redesigned the service for
pulmonary rehabilitation to increase access to the service in Ellesmere Port
and within the rural areas of Chester.
Recently we signed up to the Asthma Pledge, which was initiated through the
work of Asthma UK and in response to patient feedback. By signing this pledge
we are committed to making sure all people diagnosed with asthma have their
own asthma care plan.
Breathe Easy Chester are a local support group for people living with a lung
condition.
For more information please telephone British lung Foundation Helpline on
03000 030 555.
Dying Matters - Have you recently cared for someone at the end of their life?
We are reviewing local End of Life Services to ensure we are providing the very
best care for our local population. We want to improve care for people who
are dying, and for their family, carers and friends.
We would like to hear from you as a carer/supporter of someone who has died
whether suddenly, after a short illness, or after a long illness – within the last
12 months. We also want to find out about the care you and the family
received (as carers) at the time of death and in the months since then. Some of
the questions may not be relevant to you, but please fill in as much of the
questionnaire as you can.
Your answers to these questions will be treated as strictly confidential. You can
do the questionnaire online here:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/NHSWCDyingMatters
or let us know if you want to complete a paper copy (telephone 01244 650317
/ 650438)
Taking a stand (photograph)
Our patient experience manager Debbie Smith and chair of Great Sutton
Medical Centre PPG Jean Hardiman-Smith manned the CCG stall at the
Countess of Chester’s recent 30th Anniversary Open Day on the 29th June. It
was great that so many people stopped to talk to us about the CCG and tell us
their experiences.
You are invited to our AGM
12.30pm for 1pm, Wednesday 24th September 2014, The Leverhulme Suite,
Chester Racecourse. Please contact us if you would like more information.
Why your GP sometimes changes your prescribed medicines
New Safety Concerns
Information about medicines is constantly updated. Sometimes safety issues
are identified soon after a new medicine is launched, or even after it has been
in use for many years. When new advice is issued your GP practice will review
your medicine and may change it.
New Treatment Guidelines
Medicines are constantly being reviewed to make sure they are the most
effective for certain conditions. Your medicines may change to ensure your
treatment is in line with the most up-to-date guidance.
Availability
Sometimes your regular medicine may not be available. Your GP practice may
decide to change you to an alternative if a medicine is going to be unavailable
for a long time. This change may only be temporary until your usual medicine
is available again.
Value for money
It is important that we make the best use of the money we spend on medicines
by using the most cost effective treatments. We will always ensure that any
medicines you need are of high quality.
Your GP practice will always contact you if any changes are made to your
medicines. If changes have been made and you are unsure about them you
should contact your community pharmacist or your GP practice.
Become a Patient Leader!
Are you interested in helping us improve local Health and Care Services? We
want to recruit five Patient Leaders, aligned to each of our five Programmes.
These roles will help us to be close to our local communities in the
development of local health services. If successful, we will help you to develop
leadership skills and support you throughout.
Interested? Contact Debbie or Sally on 01244 650317 / 01244 650438.
Keep Calm and Stay Steady
Are you concerned about your balance, or have had a fall?
Please discuss it with your GP or local health professional.
Find out about the NHS
You can read a simple guide about how the NHS works at:
www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/simple-nhs-guide.pdf.
Let us know if you would like a printed copy.
Are you a Carer?
We are delighted that Cheshire and Warrington Carers have been awarded
funding to employ a GP Carer Link Development Worker to work with all of our
36 GP practices.
Lesley Thomson joined the team in early July 2014. Her role will include:

Helping practices to identify carers and signpost them to sources of
support

Raising awareness of carers’ needs within GP Practices

Providing training and support for Carer Links and other practice staff

Identifying and sharing good practice in supporting carers
For more information, please call 0800 085 0307 or email:
lesley@cheshirecarerscentre.org.uk
Get Involved - you could be missing out!!
We now have over 740 people signed up to our West Cheshire Patients’ Panel.
If you live or are registered with a GP in West Cheshire you can join the West
Cheshire Patients’ Panel - read about it on our website:
www.westcheshireccg.nhs.uk/have-your-say.aspx
Over 2,500 people now follow us on Twitter @westcheshireccg
‘Like’ us on Facebook - West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Over 1,000 people are involved with their local Patient Participation Group
(PPG) - ask at your practice for more information.
How to contact us:
Patient and Public Engagement Team
West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, 1829 Building, Liverpool Road,
Chester, CH2 1HJ
Website: www.westcheshireccg.nhs.uk
Email: enquiries.wcheshireccg@nhs.net
If you have a concern about local health services or want to seek advice, you
can contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01244 650368.