Protecting the mental health of Gloucestershire’s children and young people
Helen Ford, Lead for Children’s Mental Health, NHS Gloucestershire CCG, explains how Gloucestershire is leading the way in looking after the mental wellbeing of its children and young people. Looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across our county is a huge priority for Gloucestershire ICS, and I’m delighted to be part of a team that... Read More
Can singing improve our health?
Whilst singing can lift our spirits, research evidence suggests it could also improve breathing for people with lung conditions and help us cope with dementia.Dr Simon Opher, Clinical Lead for social prescribing in Gloucestershire, discusses the health benefits of singing. “In Gloucestershire, we have been exploring how health-focussed singing groups, specifically for people with... Read More
Over 3,000 Gloucestershire people tackle diabetes through positive lifestyle changes
Dr Shabari Hosur, GP and Clinical Lead for the National Diabetes Prevention Programme in Gloucestershire, reflects on the positive impact the programme is having in the county, with over 3,000 people now signed up to take part. “Over 34,000 people in Gloucestershire are living with Type 2 diabetes and sadly, many people will experience potentially preventable complications such... Read More
Gloucestershire’s improvements in cancer diagnosis awarded
Dr Sadaf Haque, MacMillan GP Cancer Facilitator, was delighted to receive an award on behalf of the CCG from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer for the team’s work to improve early diagnosis and one-year cancer survival rates. She explains the local improvements which are being made to promote high quality care for people living with cancer. “It was an honour to visit... Read More
Joining Up Your Information means better co-ordination of care
Dr Paul Atkinson explains why he supports the Joining Up Your Information project in Gloucestershire to improve the way patient details are shared securely and electronically by NHS and social care staff. Every patient is different but, broadly speaking, they have three main requirements when they walk into my consulting room. They want, expect and demand: • The best advice, treatment... Read More
GP Appointments
Deputy Clinical Chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Andy Seymour said: “It should be recognised that the increase in demand for services is a challenge for the whole health and social care community and all parts of the NHS need to continue to work together to make further improvements to the system for patients. GPs and their teams are working extremely... Read More
Reducing medicine waste
Mark Gregory, Deputy Head of Medicines Management at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group shares his tips for how to reduce medicine waste: “We are constantly looking at ways to deliver better and more effective patient care. Having unwanted drugs at home may mean that patients are not getting the benefits they could be from their medicines. It’s also hugely wasteful. Unused... Read More
Diagnosis rates for dementia improve
Diagnosis rates of people with dementia are continuing to improve, according to a recent study conducted by Gloucestershire’s CCG Primary Care Clinical Audit Group (PCCAG). The audit also revealed that there has been a very positive reduction in the use of anti-psychotic drugs for patients with dementia. All 85 of the county’s GP practices participated in the assessment, which... Read More
The new NHS
“One of the key strands of the recent NHS reforms is to put GPs and other clinicians in the driving seat for the buying (commissioning) of health services to meet the needs of you, your family and your local community. These services in the patient’s home, community clinics and local hospitals are provided by a range of healthcare organisations, such as NHS Trusts. From 1 April,... Read More
