Membership Magazine East Leicestershire Issue 4

healthybe

beheardMembers’ Magazine | Spring 2013www.elrmembership.org

SkiingSkiingSpringtimein the

2 Spring 13, Issue 4: be healthy be heard

Dear members,Welcome to the spring edition of our magazine for East Leicestershire and Rutland be healthy, be heard members.

We began 2013 with the excellent news that we have been authorised by the NHS Commissioning Board (NCB). Our authorisation follows a rigorous national assessment process and means that we have been deemed ready to take on our full statutory responsibility for commissioning local health services in April 2013.

We are now looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, and are working on developing our plans for 2013/14 to ensure we can continue to deliver high quality healthcare services for the people of East Leicestershire and Rutland. You can find out more about our plans on page four.

In this edition we update you on several new initiatives that will be coming in 2013 including NHS 111, a new telephone assessment and advice service, and the Electronic Prescription Service which aims to improve the issuing and dispensing of prescriptions for patients. You can find out about these new services on pages five and 12.

With warmer weather on the horizon you might be thinking about trying some new sports or activities this spring. We’ve got information from Leicestershire Nutrition and Dietetics Service (LNDS) on some of their healthy eating and weight management classes on page 13. Our cover stars, Michele and Mark Smith, tell us about roller skiing on page three, or if you prefer a different set of wheels you can find out

more about Leicestershire County Council’s free cycling courses on page 14.

Congratulations to Mrs Teresa Rizoyannis from Wigston, the winner of the £25 worth of Marks and Spencer vouchers from the word search competition in the last issue. Our puzzle is just for fun this time round but why not test out your puzzling skills against our Sudoku grid on page 16?

Your feedback is very important to us and our thanks go to those of you who have got in touch to share your views on local healthcare and take part in the magazine. There are many ways you can get involved with East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG. If you’d like to find out more visit our website at: www.eastleicestershireand rutlandccg.nhs.uk/get-involved.html

Wishing you all the best for a healthy spring,

Dr Dave Briggs

Clinical Managing Director, East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group

Contactus:If you have a practical tip, health suggestion or an interesting story, please send it for inclusion in the next issue using the contact details below. We are also looking for cover stars – send us your picture and health story if you would like to appear on our coverEmail: [email protected]

Post: Please send all correspondence to:

East Leicestershire & Rutland CCG Freepost ADMAIL 4228 Market Harborough LE16 7ZZ

Telephone: 0300 555 5345

Please note that the membership helpline is open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Published by: NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCT Cluster, Fosse House, 6 Smith Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicestershire LE19 1SX


Spring 13, Issue 4: be healthy be heard 3

Contactus:How did you discover roller-skiing?

Over the last few years we’ve tried out new activities including winter mountaineering, rock climbing, kayaking and fell walking. However about two years ago we watched a cross-county race on television and decided to try out cross-country skiing. We really loved it, however without snow; doing this sport back in the UK was difficult. Mark began to research other options and discovered roller-skiing.

What is roller-skiing?

Roller-skiing is essentially cross-country skiing without the snow. The skis are much shorter and have two wheels to enable you to move across the ground. The techniques to travel both up and downhill are similar to those used in cross-country skiing. Although it was originally devised in Europe as a way of improving skiing skills in the summer it’s now considered a sport in its own right.

What are the health benefits?

Cross-country skiing is considered to be the ultimate fitness sport and roller-skiing has similar benefits. The techniques help develop all-over body strength and fitness. It also helps improve your balance, co-ordination and aerobic capacity without putting impact pressure on your knees. As with many sports, it can be used for a gentle level exercise to extreme effort, or for competitive racing, and it is great fun.

What equipment do you need?

We wear arm and knee protection, a cycle helmet and comfortable clothes. We also generally wear gloves for extra protection. You can buy roller-skis, but if you go to one of the training courses

you’ll have most of the equipment provided which will give you a chance to learn some of the skills and see if you enjoy the sport before you invest in your own pair.

How often do you go roller-skiing?

We try to go twice a week however you do need a decent tarmacked surface which can be tricky to find locally, we like to go to Rutland Water and the Nottingham Water Sports Centre. We are still learning and have some more training courses booked so we can work on our techniques with the aim of taking part in a biathlon event and improving our cross-country skiing skills so we can try the Loppets which are a type of race. We’re often stopped by people who see us training and want to know more. It’s a shame there aren’t many facilities locally but we’re trying to establish an East Midlands roller-skiing club to help open the sport up to more people.

If you would like more information on roller-skiing you can visit: www.rollerski.co.uk or if you are interested in Michele and Mark’s work to start an East Midlands club, please email [email protected] or call 0300 555 5345 and we will pass your details onto them.

SkiingSpringtime

in the

Cross-country skiing is a great all-round exercise but living in the UK often means lovers of the sport have to leave the country to find the perfect snowy landscape to train, compete or just enjoy the activity. So when cover stars Michele and Mark Smith from Melton Mowbray were looking for a UK-based alternative they were thrilled to find ‘roller-skiing’. They were keen to tell be healthy, be heard members more about this growing sport


are at the heart of what we doEast Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group (ELR CCG)

is committed to listening to the views of our patients and using your feedback to help shape our plans for local healthcare

Your views

In 2011 and 2012 ELR CCG sought your views about the changes you would like to see in local healthcare and where we should be focusing our efforts. We had hundreds of responses from patients and carers, member practices, clinicians, staff and partners and these helped to inform the development of our vision, values and priorities.

We listened to your feedback and focused our work in four priority areas:

• Improving the quality of primary care and community health services

• Transforming services for patients with Long Term Conditions

• Working together with our partners to improve care pathways

• Reducing the inequalities in access to healthcare.

Since developing our initial three year plan we have made some excellent progress in delivering improvements to healthcare services for our patients. We’ve extended opening hours across our GP practices and invested in training for GPs to ensure quality underpins the changes we are delivering.

We’ve carried out a number of reviews across service areas resulting in twice as many Diabetes Specialist Nurses being employed to provide individualised specialist care to patients closer to home, and expanding the existing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) scheme to provide prevention, early detection and intervention services.

You also told us that you wanted care to be more seamless between providers and we’ve been working closely with health, social care and third sector

organisations such as the voluntary sector to deliver real changes to care pathways. This integrated way of working has led to the development of a new Integrated Care Model which is currently being piloted in several practices.

ELR CCG has now started year two of our three year plan and we’ll continue our work on the four priority areas that you told us were important to you. We’ve laid strong foundations for the coming year and patients will really begin to see a difference in local healthcare provisions as we progress with our plans.

In particular our focus will be on Long Term Condition schemes including Diabetes, COPD and Dementia, continuing the development of our Integrated Care Model, enhancing services available in community settings and improving mental health care pathways. We’ll also be completing our Minor Injuries Review, improving paediatric care pathways and reviewing stroke services pathways along with a number of other initiatives.

Your feedback really is at the heart of what we do and as we go forward you can expect even more opportunities to have your say on our plans. We’ll be advertising consultations on our website, through the be healthy, be heard membership scheme and we’ll also be reaching out to community forums and other local events.

If you’d like to get involved with the work of ELR CCG visit our website for more information on Patient Participation Groups and details of our latest health service consultations. www.eastleicestershireand rutlandccg.nhs.uk/get-involved.html


In future if people need to contact the NHS for urgent care there will only be three numbers; 999 for life-threatening emergencies; their GP surgery; or new 111. The line will be staffed round the clock, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobile phones will be free.

The NHS 111 service is driven by the need to provide an improved and more efficient journey for patients through the healthcare system. With a focus on patient satisfaction and providing quality care, the new number will be available in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in summer 2013.

The service will be staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced clinicians, who will provide a clinical assessment using NHS Pathways

to assess the patient’s symptoms, give healthcare advice and direct them to the right local service as quickly as possible.

This can include an out-of-hours doctor, walk-in centre or urgent care centre, community nurses, emergency dentist or late-opening chemist. In an emergency, a 999 ambulance will be sent immediately without the need for any further assessment.

We’ll keep you updated about the launch of NHS 111 and let you know when the service is available. In the meantime if you need medical help or advice contact your GP in the first instance. Alternatively you can contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit www.choosebetter.org.uk for information on health services near you.

The construction of the new hospital unit is on schedule to start in spring 2013 and the unit is expected to open in spring 2014.

The new unit will have a number of benefits for patients as care can be offered closer to home. Patients will no longer need to travel for primary care, community and mental health services as

these facilities will be housed within a modern, flexible, fit-for-purpose building.

Other benefits include less need to refer or admit patients to some of the larger county hospitals and there will be earlier discharge to home for many patients. Out of county referrals are expected to drop meaning both patients and visitors will benefit from the reduced need to travel.

The approved plans will be available for the public to view locally very soon and work is also progressing well regarding the movement of the war memorial

from the hospital site on Coventry Road. More information on this will be published later in the year and you’ll be given an opportunity to tell us your views.

Work on the development of a new hospital unit in Market Harborough is now close to starting after the recent approval of plans by the local authority planning department

Moving forward

NHS 111 is a new telephone service being introduced across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in summer 2013

Who are you going to call?

WITH OUR PLANS


East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group (ELR CCG) really do value your opinion and there are many ways you can get involved in our work.

Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) are a great way for you to work in a unique partnership with your local practice. PPGs are groups of active volunteer patients that work with practice staff and GPs to achieve high quality and responsive care. They provide a patient’s perspective ensuring services, plans and activities respond to the needs and priorities of local residents.

Groups meet regularly with practice staff and ‘Virtual PPGs’ now also exist through email networks, online surveys and social media helping to get more patients involved with improving services. They also provide practical support to practice teams by helping out with patient surveys, organising health awareness or community events and fundraising.

ELR CCG host regular networking events so PPG representatives can come together to share best practice and hear our latest news. In February attendees at the networking event had the opportunity to have their say on what they thought of the CCG’s priorities for the coming year and to discuss how PPGs, practices and the CCG can work together effectively in 2013. A speaker from Leicestershire Partnership Trust also came along to offer PPGs more information on community nursing services and Andrea Clark, Head of Engagement and Involvement, provided details of the be healthy, be heard membership scheme to encourage PPGs and their patients to join.

As part of ELR CCG’s support for PPGs we’re offering funding for registration with the National Association for Patient Participation (N.A.P.P) to all PPGs in our area.

N.A.P.P offers support to PPGs and is the only UK wide umbrella body for patient-led groups in general practice. It is a registered charity with over 30 years’ experience of promoting and supporting PPGs.

This registration will mean PPGs have access to a range of resources from N.A.P.P including guides, tool kits and telephone advice. PPGs will also have the opportunity to promote patient views at a national level, help develop national health policy and take part in national consultations.

Thepatient’s

perspective

Get involved

If you’re interested in joining a PPG contact your local practice to find out if they have one. If they don’t, why not see if you could start one?

More information about the work of PPGs is available on the N.A.P.P website: www.napp.org.uk.


Leicestershire County Council has appointed Voluntary Action LeicesterShire to establish Healthwatch Leicestershire as the new consumer champion for health and social care issues in Leicestershire.

Rutland County Council is in discussion with potential providers to establish Healthwatch Rutland as the new consumer champion for health and social care issues in Rutland.

What will Healthwatch do?

It will carry forward the functions of LINks and will have additional functions and powers.

Local Healthwatch will build on the good practice of LINks, establishing relationships with local hospital, community and mental health trusts, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), patient representative groups and the local voluntary and community sector.

It will give local communities a bigger say in how health and social care services are planned, commissioned, delivered and monitored to meet the health and wellbeing needs of local people and groups, and address health inequalities.

Local Healthwatch will strengthen the voice of local people and groups, helping them to challenge poor quality services.

It will have an important role supporting everyone in the community, but particularly those who are vulnerable or often unheard. It must be inclusive and truly representative of the community it serves.

Local Healthwatch will provide information about health and care services and about the choices people can make.

Find out more on the Healthwatch England website which provides information during the implementation phase for Healthwatch – www.healthwatch.co.uk

Local Healthwatch and LINks Local Involvement

Networks (LINks) will be replaced by Local Healthwatch a new consumer champion for health and social care services on 1 April 2013

8 Spring 13, Issue 4: be healthy be heard8 Spring 13, Issue 4: be healthy be heard


In January, the ‘Day or Night’ campaign was launched to encourage more people to use their GP and the out-of-hours service.

Backed by posters, radio advertising, website content and a mobile advertising van, the campaign urges more people to ring 0845 045 0411 when their GP surgery is closed.

Patients who call their GP surgery after hours will usually be redirected to the out-of-hours service. You should always use your GP to get advice about injuries and treatment for illness as they are the best people to treat you because they know your medical history. Your GP can review your records in order to find the best course of treatment for you.

The 149 GP practices in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have jointly commissioned the out-of-hours service from a specialised organisation, Central Nottinghamshire Clinical Services, which has offices and a call centre in Enderby, Leicestershire.

The out-of-hours call centre staff take callers’ details, and each patient is then given a question-and-answer assessment over

the phone by a qualified nurse. The out-of-hours service can provide advice, recommend the next steps, such as going to a GP the next day, arrange an urgent GP visit or send an ambulance, depending on the patient’s condition.

‘Day or Night’ is part of the Choose Better campaign which encourages patients to consider where the best place to go for treatment is. Many patients often choose to head to A&E as a first port of call, however there are many alternative services you could use to get the treatment you need and the Choose Better campaign aims to help you make the right choice.

Visit www.choosebetter.org.uk for more information on your local health services.

Did you know that your local GP operates an out-of-hours service? The service is just a phone call away, but many patients with everyday medical problems often go to the A&E unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary instead, which should be for emergencies only

You can call your usual surgery number day or night to arrange an appointment and if the surgery is closed you will be put in touch with the out-of-hours service.

All GP surgeries are open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm, and many offer appointments in the evenings and weekends.

The out-of-hours service is available from 6.30pm to 8am.

You can also call the national NHS Direct service, 0845 46 47, any time of the day or night for medical advice and assessment.

Day or Night– who should you call?


One of the most common causes of unnecessary wasted medicines comes from patients ordering drugs they don’t actually use or use only occasionally. This can mean patients are losing out on the intended health benefits of their prescription and their symptoms could get worse if left untreated.

Many patients may also not realise that medicines cannot be reused, even if they are unopened, and have to be destroyed. The money spent on unused prescriptions could be used to pay for other important local health services so it’s important that you only order repeat prescriptions if they are needed and not to stockpile medicines at home.

You should also consider a medicines review with your GP or pharmacist to make sure you get the most out of the drugs which are prescribed for you.

Remember:

• Think before you order repeat prescriptions

• Talk to your GP or pharmacist for advice on medicines

• Return unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy for safe disposal

For more information on the campaign visit www.medicinewaste.com or to get advice about your prescription medicines speak to your GP or local pharmacist.

Did you know that wasted medicines cost the NHS

in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland £5.6m a year?of unnecessary wasted medicines comes from patients ordering drugs they don’t actually use or use only occasionally. This can mean patients

health benefits of their prescription

that medicines cannot be reused, even

unused prescriptions could be used to

n unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy for safe disposal


Have you got yourGreen Bag?

IF THERE IS TOO MUCH WHITE SPACE ON THIS PAGE COULD YOU PUT IN THE CHOOSE BETTER MAGNET IMAGE AS A FILLER PLEASE?

Keeping your current medicines in your Green Bag will help your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to quickly identify all the medicines you are taking. This will help them to assess you if you attend an appointment or need to go into hospital.

You should store all the medicines you are currently taking in your Green Bag, except any medication that needs to be kept in the fridge. This includes medicines you have been prescribed by your family or hospital doctor, or purchased from a chemist or pharmacy.

If you have to go into hospital the Green Bag will be kept with your medicines in the medicine locker by your bed and used to transport your medicines if you are moved to another ward.

You can also take your Green Bag to any appointments you have with your GP or hospital doctor, nurse or local pharmacist, particularly if you would like a medicines review to make sure you’re getting the most out of the medicines that have been prescribed for you.

Green Bags are available from chemists and pharmacies across the county and from your local GP surgery.

East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical

Commissioning Group (ELR CCG) have introduced Green Bags to encourage patients to keep all their

current medication together


East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group (ELR CCG) is involved in a project aiming to roll out EPS across the county from April 2013. EPS is an NHS service which gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from. It is a largely paperless system which allows a prescription to be sent electronically to your nominated dispensary.

The EPS project is running across the whole of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and was initially piloted in March 2012 at Markfield Medical Centre in West Leicestershire. As part of the pilot the medical centre identified patients on repeat prescriptions and invited them into the practice to learn more about EPS. The project team spoke to over 100 patients during a ten-day period answering questions on how the service would work and gathering their feedback.

From April 2013, practices across the county will move over to EPS and patients will be informed by their practice when the service is available in their area.

Kalpesh Raithatha, Project Manager for EPS, said: “Essentially the procedures at your practice won’t change very much. EPS gives practices more control over repeat prescriptions, as they can cancel or amend them electronically without having to chase up paper copies.

“Other benefits include giving you a greater freedom of choice – when your practice is using EPS you can choose to have your prescription sent to a dispensary

convenient to you without needing to come in to collect it. It should also help reduce pharmacy waiting times as dispensers will be able prepare prescriptions in advance of patients’ arrival.”

to a practice near you...With almost one billion prescription items being issued every year in England, the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) will help make the issuing, receiving and dispensing of prescriptions more efficient

How can I find out more information?

The Electronic Prescription Service is being rolled out across the county during 2013/14. When it is available at your practice you will be contacted with more information on how to use the service and nominate your preferred dispensary. Until then, if you would like more information, please visit: www.cfh.nhs.uk/epspatients

to a practice near you...COMING SOON


Help your family learn more about

being healthy

Leicestershire Nutrition and Dietetic Services (LNDS) provide a range of services across Leicestershire and they have one of the largest teams of dieticians in the country. Registered dieticians are qualified health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems. They can offer practical guidance to help you to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

To find out more about their services visit www.lnds.nhs.uk

L E A P your way to healthLEAP is an NHS funded weight management group run by a dietician and local exercise instructor. With the aim of helping you to lose weight sensibly and gradually, and keep it off, the group will support you to learn about eating healthily and help you to be more active.

Sessions run for 10-12 weeks and last for about two and half hours with a mixture of nutrition advice and exercise. You can learn about different healthy eating topics such as fats, sugars, label reading, comfort eating and snacking. For the exercise section you’ll need to wear comfy clothes and soft shoes or trainers, and bring a drink.

There is an opportunity to weigh-in at the sessions and this is done in private away from other group members.

If you’re interested in joining a group the next set of courses start in April. You’ll have an initial assessment appointment with a dietician either face-to-face or by telephone and they can help you set some initial goals to aim for.

To book your place or for more information, please call 0116 222 7154.

The Family Lifestyle Club (FLiC) is a fun club run by the NHS family dieticians and local district council physical activity leaders.

It is a free, eight week programme for families with children aged 8-13 years old keen to learn more about becoming fit, healthy and managing their weight in a safe and friendly setting.

Each week families can gain lots of practical tips such as how to make healthy snacks. The sessions involve fun games for the children, an informal, friendly food and activity discussion for parents and a practical food preparation and tasting session

for parents and children together.

Groups start in January, May and

September each year in a variety

of locations across the

county. To book a place or

for more information please contact

0116 222 7154.


The courses, run by Leicestershire County Council, are aimed at developing confidence and skills for riding both on and off the road. They are ideal for people who have never been on a bike before, riders who want to improve their confidence and people who haven’t cycled for years.

The courses are run over five two-hour sessions and training is delivered by experienced instructors qualified to a national standard. Participants don’t need their own bike as bikes and

helmets can be hired, subject to availability, for a small, refundable deposit.

Last year over 350 people took part in the courses across Leicestershire. Regular cycling can help you lose weight, reduce stress and improve your fitness. As it’s a low-impact type of exercise it’s easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities but it still helps you get into shape. It’s also a great way to travel, friendly to the environment and a fun activity to share with the family as anyone can do it if they have the right equipment.

Mum-of-two Dawn Mason faced her phobia of cycling head-on when she took part. Now she has not only found a new way to get from home to the village centre, but also regularly cycles with her children.

Dawn said: “I never learned to ride as a child and had a phobia when it came to getting on a bike. However, I wanted to be able to ride with my four-year-old daughter when she learned. I have used my bike to ride into Leicester. I also use it to travel to my local gym and swimming pool weekly and sometimes attach a trailer to the back and take my children out in it.”

For more information, including dates of courses and how to book your place visit: www.leics.gov.uk/cycling, email [email protected] or call 0116 305 8307.

Cycling fact file

• Cycling is the third most popular recreational activity in the UK.

• An estimated 3.1 million people ride a bicycle each month

• It’s one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine because it’s also a form of transport – it saves you money, gets you fit and is good for the environment.

• Cycling is a low-impact type of exercise, so it’s easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities.

• The best way to build your cardiovascular fitness on the bike is to ride for at least 150 minutes every week.

For more information on cycling visit: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/Cycling.aspx

Free Adult Cycle Coursesin your area

Free adult cycle courses are being run across Leicestershire between spring and autumn 2013 – if you’re looking for a new leisure activity or planning on cycling to work, why not give it a go?


Serves: 4 adults

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Tortilla cheeseWhat to do:

Make the salsa by mixing together the tomatoes, avocado and spring onions. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, then season the mixture with some pepper.

Grease a non-stick frying pan with a few drops of vegetable oil. Place the pan over a medium-high heat.

Add a tortilla to the pan and sprinkle one quarter of the cheese over the top. Heat for a few moments until the cheese starts to melt, then sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the salsa onto one half of the tortilla. Fold in half using a wooden spatula or a fish slice, then cook for another few seconds to warm through.

Slide the cooked tortilla onto a serving plate and cut in half. Continue to cook the remaining tortillas in the same way.


Tips:

Why not add little bits of cooked chicken or chopped ham to the tortillas if you like? Just add it just after the cheese.

You can keep the filling really simple with just grated reduced fat cheese and chopped tomato – or whatever you have available.

turnovers

Nutritional information per portion (i.e ¼ recipe)

•291kcals/1218kJ

•10gprotein

•13gfatofwhich5gsaturates

•36gcarbohydrateofwhich3gsugars

•3gdietaryfibre

•298mgsodium

•0.7gsalt

Recipe from www.nhs.uk/Change4Life

the cheese starts to melt, then sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the

turnovers

Ingredients:

2 tomatoes finely chopped

1 small avocado peeled, pitted and finely chopped

3 spring onions finely chopped

1 lemon (just a squeeze will do)

1 pinch ground black pepper

1 tsp vegetable oil (for greasing the pan)

4 soft flour tortillas

75g reduced fat mature Cheddar cheese grated

We can provide versions of all be healthy, be heard membership publications in other languages and formats such as Braille and large print on request. Please contact the engagement and involvement department on 0116 295 1170. Please state which publication you require when you call.

Somali

Polish

Urdu

Punjabi

Gujarati

Hindi

Bengali

Just for fun!Why not have a go at the Sudoku puzzle and test your skills? Each Sudoku grid contains nine squares, each consisting of nine spaces; each square must contain the numbers one through nine, with no repeats. In addition, every horizontal row and vertical column must contain the numbers one through nine, with no numbers repeated.

Documents

Membership Magazine East Leicestershire Issue 4