Helping you keep well
InTouch
Issue 11,
October 2015
Monthly news from your local Clinical Commissioning Group
‘Breast Aware’ campaign kicks-off
The CCG, Council and Doncaster Belles team up to tackle
breast cancer Page 7
Doncaster
Same Day
Health
Centre
opens
page 16
New lung
cancer
detection
scheme
starts
page 9
The CCG
celebrates
World
Mental
Health Day
page 2
InTouch
2
October 2015
Celebrating
World Mental
Health Day
October’s edition
of InTouch your
window into the
CCG.
Hello and welcome to the
Autumn edition of InTouch.
In this issue of our newsletter you can read all
about our brand new breast
cancer awareness campaign
supported by both the local
Council and Doncaster
Belles football team - be
sure to check it out on page
7.
We’ve also opened the
Doncaster Same Day Health
Centre just in time for
winter. Head to page 15 to
understand how this service
works for you when you
need an same day health
appointment.
We’ve got a packed edition
so read on and enjoy!
Dr Nick Tupper
Chairman Doncaster CCG
@DoncasterCCG
We celebrated World
Mental Health Day on
Saturday 10
October.
Mental health is one
of our key clinical
priorities for improvement. As part of this
work, in partnership
with Rotherham,
Doncaster and South
Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH),
together we have just
launched the single
point of access (SPA)
for individuals experiencing a mental
health crisis.
who are in mental
health crisis a ‘recovery house’ in which to
stay for up to seven
days, recuperate and
work with services to
help them get better.
Andrea Butcher, Head
of Strategy and Delivery for Mental Health
at the CCG, said:
“Events such as World
Mental Health Day
give us the chance to
reflect on the work
that we’re doing for
the people of Doncaster.
“Mental health forms a
core part of the CCG’s
clinical priorities and
we are always looking at ways how we
can improve critical
services that help
those who are in crisis
or at a very low point
in their life and need
help accessing the
treatment they need.”
In simple terms, it
means that anyone
who is experiencing a
serious mental health
problem, such as
wanting to self-harm
or having suicidal
thoughts, can ring a
single telephone number, 01302 566999,
where they will have
fast access to a healthcare professional who
can help them.
We’re also currently
re-developing the
‘recovery house’. This
service gives patients
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
InTouch
3
October 2015
Changes at the Flying
Scotsman Health Centre
If you are a occasionally use the
8am to 8pm service at the Flying
Scotsman Health Centre:
If you are a registered patient of the
Flying Scotsman Health Centre and go
there for all your appointments:
The service has moved to Cavendish
Court, South Parade, Doncaster, DN1
2DJ, and changed its name to the
Doncaster Same Day Health Centre.
Your registration has been transferred
to the brand new health care provider,
The Practice Surgeries Limited.
The Doncaster Same Day Health
Centre is open from 8am to 8pm
every day of the year but you must
ring for an appointment.
You can contact the service on 0300
123 3103 or alternatively call NHS
111.
You don’t have to do anything and you
should continue to go to the Flying
Scotsman for all of your GP
appointments.
The telephone remains: 01302 645544
The new service is able to treat
minor illnesses and injuries such as:
sore throats, earaches, coughs, colds,
sprains and strains.
Flying Scotsman
Health Centre
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
InTouch
October 2015
4
InTouch
5
October 2015
CCG pharmacist wins award
Our South West Locality
Pharmacist, Sally Porter, has
won a Shining Star Award
at the Rotherham Retailer
Awards 2015.
Rotherham Advertiser.
Sally was named one of the
town’s ‘Shining Stars’ due to her
commitment to the development
and promotion of Rotherham.
The CCG worker held Dementia
Friends information sessions
at the pharmacy, attended by
staff and the town’s mayor and
mayoress and has trained as a
Dementia Friend Champion.
For over a decade, Sally and
husband Andrew have owned and
operated the Abbey Pharmacy in
Rotherham. Throughout this time
the business has faced plenty of
challenges, not least a fire in 2011
which forced the pharmacy to
Aspiring to facilitate the
close for eight months.
creation of a dementia friendly
town centre by engaging local
Four years later, the refurbished
businesses, Sally has spoken
dispensary is now thriving in the
at a Local Pharmaceutical
town, with numerous awards to
Committee event for South
its name including: Pharmacy
Yorkshire Pharmacies and a
Business of the Year 2013, third
Rotherham Voice meeting,
prize in the Chemist and Druggist passionately advocating for better
Platinum Design Awards 2014
understanding of the disease.
and this latest individual accolade
from the local Council and
Sally said: “NHS Doncaster CCG’s
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
commitment to Dementia Friends
inspired me to support our staff
and encourage other businesses
to help their customers live
well with dementia. The day of
the Retailer Awards marked our
tenth anniversary of owning
the pharmacy and we couldn’t
have asked for a better birthday
present!”
Abbey Pharmacy also won the
Customer Service Award, capping
off a monumental achievement
for Sally, Andrew and their
dedicated staff.
She added: “I chose to see the
fire as an opportunity to improve
our business. We redesigned the
pharmacy, moving away from the
traditional model and dedicating
ourselves to providing excellent
community healthcare.”
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
InTouch
7
October 2015
Be Breast Aware. Pass it On.
Tackling breast cancer in Doncaster
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
8
The CCG, local Council and Doncaster
Belles team-up to take on cancer killer
A leading Doncaster
councillor has spoken of
the potentially life-saving
discovery she made whilst
taking an early morning
shower.
It was early August 2014 when
Councillor Pat Knight, from
Hatfield, felt a lump in her left
breast that she hadn’t previously
detected when doing selfexaminations.
She quickly made an
appointment to see her GP and
within days was referred to
Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s (DRI)
Jasmine Centre, where diagnostic
tests revealed the lump was a
two centimetres long tumour.
“Less than four weeks after
feeling the lump, I had an
operation at DRI to remove it.
But, at a follow-up meeting with
my consultant the following
week, I was told there were still
some rogue cancerous cells left
behind, so I decided to have a
full mastectomy, said Councillor
Knight, who represents Doncaster
Council’s Hatfield Ward and is
also the Chair of the borough’s
Health and Wellbeing Board.
“The wound took a while to heal
so I started a 15 week course of
chemotherapy in December last
year, followed by three weeks of
radiotherapy, and was told the
treatment had been a success at
the end of March this year.”
Councillor Knight’s prompt action
in feeling something unusual in
her breast and then contacting
her GP straight away has led to
her becoming the patient face
behind a newly launched breast
cancer awareness campaign in
Doncaster.
3-0 victory over Oxford United
at the Keepmoat on Saturday 3
October to highlight the signs and
symptoms of the disease.
“Breast cancer
can be treated
and beaten if
it’s detected
early”
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer in England, with over
41,000 cases being diagnosed
each year, including around 250
new cases each year in Doncaster.
It’s indiscriminate, targeting
women of all ages, as well as
some men.
Be breast aware. Pass it on is
supported by the Doncaster
Belles’ football team and features
players Sue Smith and Kasia
Lipka, plus Doncaster GP Dr Pat
Barbour, who practises at The
Medical Centre, on Frances Street
and is a member of the CCG’s
Governing Body.
Dr Barbour said: “Breast cancer
can be treated and beaten if it’s
detected early, which is why it’s
important that Doncaster women
check their breasts regularly, just
as Councillor Knight did, and also
attend screening sessions when
invited.
Survival tends to be lower in older
women as research shows they
are more likely to put off making
an appointment with their GP if
they suspect they may have the
symptoms.
Other research indicates
that older women have less
knowledge about the other signs
of breast cancer. They often
assume that a lump is the only
sign of the disease.
“So be breast aware and pass it
on!” Added Dr Barbour.
The tell-tale signs
of breast cancer:
“My message is ‘If you are aware
of any change in your breasts
from what is normal to you, tell
your doctor without delay’. Acting
quickly could save your life.”
•
The campaign message has
appeared in local print and
social media, on prescription
medicine bags and on posters in
GP surgeries and pharmacies. The
Belles also agreed to use their
•
•
•
•
•
•
A lump or thickening in your
armpit
Changes to the skin of your
breast
Changes to the shape or size
of your breast
Nipple changes
Nipple discharge
Pain in your breast
Any other unusual or
persistent changes to your
breasts
InTouch
9
October 2015
Doncaster pharmacists begin new
lung cancer detection scheme
A new health pilot has
started in Doncaster
enabling pharmacists
to refer patients
presenting with
symptoms of lung
cancer for a chest x-ray.
borough and pick out those
seeking help for recurrent
illnesses such as chest
pains, persistent coughs and
weight-loss that might be
symptomatic of the early
stages of the disease.
Developed, in partnership
with local GPs, and funded by
the CCG, the ACE Pharmacy
pilot aims to diagnose people
with the cancer earlier,
leading to quicker treatment
and a better outcome. It
is hoped that by giving
pharmacists the ability to
refer for chest x-rays it will
also pick up local people who
are less likely to seek help
from their GP for a persistent
cough or other symptoms of
the disease.
In preparation for the
12-month trial, over 30
pharmacists have been
trained to identify signs of
the illness by Alan German,
a local lung cancer survivor,
Dr Moe Kyi, Lung Cancer
Lead at Doncaster and
Bassetlaw Hospitals, and
Radiology Department staff
at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
The yearlong pilot will cover
over 70,000 people in the
@DoncasterCCG
Nationally, lung cancer is
the second most common
cancer in men and women
after prostate and breast
cancer with 241 cases of
the disease in the town in
2014/15. Doncaster has over
15,000 more smokers than
in similar sized areas, with
incidents of lung cancer in
women being 68% higher
than the national average.
Although more difficult to
treat than other forms of
the disease, early diagnosis
of lung cancer can increase
chances of survival, and
getting the most effective
and appropriate treatment
is key for the best possible
outcome.
Dr Nick Tupper, Doncaster
CCG chair, said: “The ACE
Pharmacy pilot is another
example of the innovative
and wider work we do in
Doncaster to make sure we
catch the symptoms and
signs of cancers as soon as
NHSDoncasterCCG
possible.
“By training some of our
pharmacists how to spot the
disease, we hope that we
can pick up those people
who wouldn’t ordinarily see
their GP before their cancer
is more advanced and less
treatable.”
Dr Moe Kyi said: “By the time
a patient suspected of lung
cancer is admitted to hospital
and a diagnosis is made, the
disease can be very advanced
and therefore less treatable.
Community pharmacists are
friendly, easily accessible and
have wealth of knowledge.
“Having the right training and
the ability to refer for a chest
x-ray means our pharmacists
may be able to identify
patients who would be more
likely to present late to us at
the hospital.”
If you have had a cough
for more than three weeks,
persistent breathlessness,
unexplained tiredness and
weight loss, or an ache or
pain when breathing or
coughing, go and see you GP.
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
InTouch
10
October 2015
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
InTouch
11
October 2015
Championing Breast
Screening in Doncaster
Supporting
‘forgotten’
carers
A Doncaster-based support group
is providing vital support to
people coping with a loved one’s
drinking or drug problems.
The Support 4 Change Carers’
Group is run by staff from
Doncaster Drug and Alcohol
Services, thanks to funding from
Doncaster Council’s Innovation
Fund. It meets at Rosslyn House,
41 Thorne Road on Monday
evenings, 6.45pm to 8.45pm and
Saturdays noon to 2pm.
The group is open to anyone.
People can just go along to a
meeting, or can ring a member
of the Support 4 Change team
for a confidential chat first on
(01302) 730956.
October is Breast cancer
Awareness month and South
Yorkshire and Bassetlaw
Breast Screening Programme
is teaming up with Doncaster
and Bassetlaw Hospitals in a
bid to encourage Doncaster
and Bassetlaw women to take
up their routine mammogram
appointments.
the fight and take up their
invitation. It only takes five
minutes every three years and
early diagnosis and prompt
treatment remain the most
effective way to reduce the
impact of breast cancer.”
Breast screening is offered to
all women aged 50 to 70 with
some women beginning to
Breast screening is important in be called up from 47 years. If
you are aged 50 or over and
the fight against breast cancer
have not had a mammogram
as earlier detection offers a
in the past three years, you
better chance of successful
can contact the Bassetlaw
treatment and full recovery.
breast screening unit on 01909
Jayne Fielden, Superintendent 502193 and Doncaster breast
screening unit on 01302
Radiographer at Doncaster
320112.
and Bassetlaw Hospitals said:
“Breast screening allows us to
detect whether you have breast If you are over the age of 70,
and haven’t been screened
cancer before you would even
within the last three years you
notice any signs or symptoms.
can self-refer. Just call the
breast screening unit to make
“I am urging all Doncaster
an appointment.
and Bassetlaw ladies to join
Group member Sheila Seymour
said: “Support 4 Change is a
lifeline for people like me.
“The support I’ve been given
has helped me make sense of
how my life has changed and
given me hope for a brighter
future.
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
InTouch
13
October 2015
Eileen’s work major boost to community care
Dr Nick Tupper writes a column for
the Doncaster Star each Monday.
You can read all of Dr Tupper’s
blogs at www.drnicktupper.com
and also follow him on Twitter
@drnicktupper
New figures shows more than
2,550 Doncaster people are
diagnosed with dementia and
we think a further 960 have the
disease but haven’t yet been
diagnosed.
It’s a huge issue for the NHS and
Doncaster Council to manage
and, as people live longer, it’s
one that will continue to grow.
Public services have a huge task,
but we can only do so much,
which is why it’s important the
whole community lends a hand.
In Doncaster we are fortunate
in building a lot of communitybased care to support services
provided by the local NHS and
Doncaster Council.
The Doncaster Dementia Action
Alliance is bringing together
businesses and voluntary
organisations to help make the
borough dementia-friendly.
A charity founded by a
Doncaster woman who late
@DoncasterCCG
husband had dementia is also
doing sterling work.
Eileen Harrington started
DonMentia two years ago to help
Doncaster people who have
dementia and their carers.
Eileen’s husband, also called
Don, died with dementia in 2008
after having the disease for nine
years. Eileen has spent the last
two years tirelessly fundraising
around £25,000 for DonMentia
and many have benefited from
her selfless approach.
Last week Eileen arranged for
Dennis and Heather Garrick to
celebrate their 80th birthdays
with an afternoon tea treat at
Arksey’s Village Teapot cafe.
She contacted the Co-Op in
Doncaster, who provided a
chauffeur-driven limousine from
the couple’s Armthorpe home.
Heather, who has severe
dementia, has been married for
60 years to Dennis. They attend
the DonMentia forum Eileen
runs at Tickhill Road Hospital,
where she provides advice and
support. Earlier this year, she
arranged for five therapists to
come to a session and provide
treatments, including hand, neck,
NHSDoncasterCCG
back and shoulder massages.
Also last week, Eileen organised
a bus trip to North Anston’s
Tropical Butterfly House for
people with dementia and their
carers, giving them an organised
break.
On Wednesday, the High
Sheriff of South Yorkshire will
open the newly completed
Community Dementia Garden
at Tickhill Road Hospital.
Eileen has generously paid for
all the garden furniture from
DonMenetia funds.
In the last few months Eileen has
been organising and attending
events to keep money rolling in
to pay for activities she’s funds,
including running a stall at
Doncaster’s classic car and bike
show and staging her annual
summer garden party at her
home.
People like Eileen are saltof-the-earth community
activists and we should never
underestimate the valuable
contribution they make towards
making life easier for some
of society’s most vulnerable
people.
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
Only when
I cough!
Did you know that 1 in 3 women
will have a problem with their pelvic
floor and water works?
Do you:
• Leak when you cough, sneeze or jog
• Suddenly need to wee
• Feel like you are always at the loo
• Find your bladder always feels full
• Have to strain to wee
• Get up more at night to wee
Where to go when things go wrong,
help is at hand.
Speak to your Gp or ring 01302 566999 and
ask to speak to the Continence Health
Advisory Service and ask about the Continence
Clinic for specialist help and advice.
break free with our help
Continence Health Advisory Service
✆ 01302 566999
InTouch
15
October 2015
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
16
The Doncaster Same Day Health
Centre opens its doors
What is the Doncaster Same
Day Health Centre?
A same day service that can
give advice and treatment on
minor illnesses or injuries if
you are unable to see your GP.
When should I attend?
The Doncaster Same Day
Health Centre can help with
conditions such as: sore
throats, earaches, coughs,
colds, sprains and strains.
Contact the Centre if you have
been unable to schedule an
urgent appointment with your
GP practice.
Remember, a well-stocked
medicine cabinet can help
treat a range of minor illnesses
and injuries.
Can I just walk-in?
No, The Doncaster Same Day
Health Centre is by appointment only. Please call ahead to
book an appointment.
How do I make an appointment?
First try your GP practice, if
you are unable to get an appointment, contact the Centre
by calling 0300 123 3103
(local charge applies) or ring
NHS 111.
What services are available?
Do you have disabled access?
Staff are able to treat a range
of minor illnesses and injuries. However, if you have a
suspected broken bone or cut
there are more appropriate
services in the town such as
Mexborough Montagu Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit, or,
in the case of an emergency,
Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s
A&E department.
Disabled parking bays are
available. There is also a low
desk at reception for wheelchair users, disabled toilets in
the waiting area and a looping
hearing system in reception.
The team are able to prescribe
medicine if you need it.
Can I register as a patient?
You cannot register with a GP
at the Doncaster Same Day
Health Centre. Please note
that this is not a replacement
service for your local practice.
If you have an on-going medical condition, your GP will be
able to offer the best possible
treatment.
Can I get a sick note?
The Centre are unable to provide you with a sick note, but
are able to give you a letter
confirming your attendance at
the Centre. Ask at reception.
What if the Centre is closed?
If you have an urgent problem
contact NHS 111 for advice
or call your GP practice to be
redirected to the Out of Hours
service.
Can I request a chaperone?
All patients are entitled to have
a chaperone present for any
consultation. Please request
this when booking an appointment or speak to a member of
staff.
What if English is not my first
language?
The Centre uses Language
Line, an interpretation service.
Please ask the reception ahead
of time. We also have translated information at www.tinyurl.
com/doncastersameday
How can I get to the Centre?
The Doncaster Same Day
Health Centre is at Cavendish
Court, South Parade, Doncaster
DN1 2DJ.
The Centre offers on and offsite parking, with a number of
bus routes (the 25, 29, 55, 57
and 99) serving the site from
the Doncaster Interchange.
InTouch
October 2015
InTouch
18
October 2015
National award finalists at Doncaster Hospital
Staff from Doncaster and
Bassetlaw Hospitals are
celebrating scooping a major
innovation award.
They won the regional
Medipex NHS Innovation
Awards 2015, announced on
8 October, for establishing a
new in-house manufacturing
unit that skilfully creates
custom-made devices, for
children and adults who need
more specialist support or
stability for their bones and
joints.
Previously patients attending
Doncaster and Bassetlaw
Hospitals had their orthoses
(devises to support their
feet and legs) supplied from
private companies, resulting
in delayed treatment for
patients and higher costs for
the Trust.
Mike Pinkerton, Trust Chief
Executive, said: “This is a great
example of how innovation
has given patients a much
improved service. Well done
to our orthotics team.”
The in-house facility has
radically changed all this.
Patients can now have same
day repairs, with fewer
clinical appointments,
while still keeping their
independence and mobility.
They can even choose to
have their orthotics made in a
range of different patterns or
colours.
Give blood
You can make a real
difference and give blood
in Doncaster on Monday
26 October 2015.
From 11.45am to 7.15pm,
you can either call ahead
to make an appointment
or walk-in and donate at
Doncaster Racecourse.
Do something amazing
and give blood.
@DoncasterCCG
NHSDoncasterCCG
www.doncasterccg.nhs.uk
Trouble
with your
water works?
Did you know that 1 in 4 men over 40
will experience symptoms of
prostate problems?
Do you:
• Suddenly need to wee
• Constantly go to the toilet
• Find only a trickle of wee comes out
• Stop “n” start when weeing
• Have to strain to wee
• Get up more at night to wee
Where to go when things go wrong,
help is at hand.
Speak to your Gp or ring 01302 566999 and ask to speak to
the Continence Health Advisory Service and ask about the
LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in men) Clinic.
If you ever need to wee and find you can’t, don’t panic, you
don’t need to attend A&E, call 01302 566999 or speak to your
GP, there’s a team of nurses that can help 24 hours a day.
break free with our help
Continence Health Advisory Service
✆ 01302 566999