Issue 3 June 2009
PCT Direct
SWINE FLU UPDATE Special points of interest:
In order that you have the latest information on Swine Flu, please see the list below. The information contains: 1). Latest update 2). Advice for the public
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Swine Flu update
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Patient Choice Roadshow
1). LATEST UPDATE
National Smile Month
The General Advice is:
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Inside this issue:
General Enquiries on Swine Flu: 0800 1513 513
The UK has been preparing for a flu pandemic for the last five years, working with agencies at local, regional and national level. The Government has established a stockpile of enough antivirals to treat more than 33 million people, that is to say, half of the United Kingdom population. All NHS organisations have pandemic flu plans in place and the Department of Health is now working closely with the NHS to ensure that these plans can be put into action so that antivirals can be made available to the public, very rapidly, should we reach that stage. 2) ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC
Swine Flu Update
1
Patient Choice Roadshow
2
Intranet Makeover
2
National Smile Month!
3
Immunisation
3
The Orchard Practice Celebrate!
4
Department Spotlight
5
Leavers
6
Employee Support
6-7
Health Awareness Day
8
Top Line 1) There is no cause for alarm as the DH and the PCT have robust plans in place to deal with any more widespead outbreak, and adequate supplies of flu drugs. Top Line 2) Advice remains that individuals returning from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of their return, or contacts of a confirmed or probable case of swine flu who are exhibiting symptoms should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be arranged at their home. Symptoms of human swine influenza are similar to those of seasonal influenza: usually a feverish illness accompanied by one or more or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches. Some cases have also presented with diarrhoea and vomiting. Infection with this virus is treatable with anti-viral drugs. Good hand hygiene can help to reduce the transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes: • Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and using a tissue when possible. • Disposing of used tissues promptly and carefully. • Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people. • Cleaning hard surfaces that you regularly come into contact with frequently, for example door handles, using a normal cleaning product. • Making sure your children follow this advice. If you have recently visited one of the countries or areas where human cases of swine influenza have been reported, it is important for you to monitor your health closely for seven days after your visit to the affected area. There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well. If during the period you develop a feverish illness as described above, you should stay at home and contact your GP by phone or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 4647). If you contact them, you should tell them about your recent travel to an affected area. Depending on your symptoms you may be advised that further investigations may be necessary. For anyone with general questions the Department of Health has set up a swine flu information line for the public on 0800 1 513 513. There is additional information for health practitioners that has not been included in this newsletter, and was emailed out to all GPs, Nurses, Practice Managers, Dentists and Pharmacists. If you are a health practitioner and have not read this information, then please email communications@hillingdon.nhs.uk
Issue 3 June 2009
Patient Choice Roadshow From April 2009, people have the legal right to choose which hospital in England they want to be treated at when they are first referred by their GP or dentist. To promote this new legal right to choice, along with choice of GP, extended surgery hours, community based services, and the 18 weeks target, there have been campaigns across 24 PCTs in England letting the public know that: ‘ Whatever your reason… it’s your right to choose’. The Hillingdon patient choice roadshow lasted for five days from 19th– 23rd May. There were events in three locations on each of the days, where people were given a free shopping bag filled with information on choices they now have. In addition to the roadshow staff, there was great support from NHS Hillingdon, including nurses doing health checks and Kirk House staff to help to drive the message home. People were given the chance to voice their thoughts and opinions and many thought it was a fantastic idea, especially when told they could choose their preferred hospital for treatment, and everyone welcomed extended GP surgery hours. The roadshow in the Chimes in Uxbridge was a great success
Intranet Makeover The PCT staff intranet (nww.hillingdon.nhs.uk) is being re-launched! The website will be updated regularly with an area for each department, and a new GP zone, where all forms and related information will be in one place for easy access for staff. One person from each department will take care of their web pages, and will ensure that all information is updated. The editors are: Sangeeta Jhita (Primary Care) Gloria Boateng and Lauren Shiel (Communications) Kerry Gough (Counter Fraud) Sue Melling (Finance) Kay Ollivierre (Equalities, Diversity and Human Rights) Celina Kwok (Pharmacy) Steph Usiskin (Governance) Anand Taanak (Rio), Carol Johns, Satvinder Sidhu and Sangeeta Jhita (GP intranet) Satvinder Sidhu (Practice Based Commissioning) Marrisa Bartlett (Information) Ann Duhig (Hillingdon Community Health) Laura Ovard (HR) Joyce Wheeler (Learning and Development) Sue Place (PALS) If you work in a department that does not have an intranet editor and you would like to become one, please contact Gloria Boateng in Communications by emailing Gloria.boateng@hillingdon.nhs.uk The last intranet format had a disappointingly low amount of interest from staff, so there is hope that this time will be different. The update has not been completed yet for some of the site, but the new home page is a great start. The new intranet home page…. Please have a look if you’re interested!
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Issue 3 June 2009
National Smile Month! The British Dental Health Foundation, the nation’s leading independent oral health charity, dedicated to improving public health, has run a National Smile campaign for three decades. National Smile Month this year begins on 17th May and extends to 16th June during which time the charity, with the help of other stakeholders, will run initiatives to raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining good oral health for general health and well being. The messages are clear and simple: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste Visit the dentist regularly; as often as they recommend Cut down on sugary foods and drinks Doing so will reduce your risk of caries and gum disease that research has linked to heart disease, strokes, diabetes and premature and low birth weight of babies. Children of Hillingdon aged 5 years have a higher than average rate of decayed, missing and filled teeth (BASCD data 2005) when compared to children of the same age across England and some parts of the SHA. To address this issue and reduce health inequalities prevalent in areas of deprivation, Hillingdon PCT is, in conjunction with Healthy Hillingdon, launching its own campaign entitled Miles of Smiles in primary schools across the borough during National Smile Month to teach the children these important oral health messages.
Smile for the camera: From left to right: Samina Khan Arzeen Razi Khan Sally McGregor (Dental Health Educator)
Schools will be incentivised to take part in the initiative by entering a competition with the opportunity to win £500 towards a school vegetable garden. The teachers deliver a short lesson on the importance of oral health and how to achieve and maintain it and then encourage the children to draw pictures of smiley faces, an activity they will do at home. The children will also be given Information to take home summarising the key messages for their parents and carers and providing information about local dental services and how to access them. The school that has the longest line of smiley faces will win the competition. There will be certificates for the runners up while the winning entries will receive Brushing for Life goodie bags. Hillingdon dentists are aware of National Smile Month and the Miles of Smiles campaign in schools and indeed a number have volunteered to make a personal appearance as the ‘local friendly dentist’ by giving their own presentations to the children and parents. In addition the PCT has produced its own leaflet with information about available NHS services, patient charges and oral health messages that will be widely distributed for patients to pick up in a variety of venues such as libraries, GP surgeries, pharmacies, clinics and health centres. This leaflet compliments those produced by the Department of Health. Thanks to John Catchpole and Catriona Barber, the Dental Contract Team at Kirk House for this article.
Showing how to brush teeth: From left to right: Khadijah Rammay, Yaqoob Rammay Sally McGregor (Dental Health Educator)
Immunisation ‘One in 10 children with Measles end up in hospital’ NHS Healthcare for London is running a London Childhood Immunisation Project called the ‘MMR social marketing pilot campaign’. This has been London wide and from May 2009 will be running in Hillingdon. The aim of this is to test the effectiveness of different social marketing techniques in increasing uptake of MMR immunisations. Our reason for running the campaign is that although many children in Hillingdon were immunised during the MMR catch up campaign, there are large numbers (around 500 in each year group) of preschool children that have not yet had any doses of the vaccine, and many who have not completed the course of two doses. Having the jab is very important as measles is highly infectious and can spread rapidly. Just a simple cough or sneeze is all it takes to spread the virus, that’s why NHS Healthcare for London have put together this poster in an aim to make more parents aware of how serious measles can be. This poster will be placed in all preschool nurseries and children’s centres in Hillingdon.
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Issue 3 June 2009
The Orchard Practice ‘We have highs and lows in General Practice and we all support each other at all times.’ (Wendy Chambers, Practice Manager) The Orchard Practice celebrated five years of service to the public in Hayes and Harlington on 2nd April 2009. The practice started as a temporary shop in April 2004, until the Hayes building was completed in Nov 04.The shop was converted into a surgery within weeks. Wendy Chambers (Practice Manager) said, ‘I remember sitting on a cardboard box and making orders to stationary suppliers, and medical suppliers. The whole team turned the shop into a surgery complete with all medical equipment, including a nice waiting room for patients with pot plants, and patient information notice boards.’ The Orchard Practice was the only NHS service available in the area for Hayes patients, until other services followed. The Practice now has over 3000 patients registered and is still growing. Zoe Berry (Lead Nurse Practitioner) feels that ‘The team have always worked together so well with a real commitment to providing the best service for our patients. Even when times have been difficult we have always managed to support each other and have fun’. This has been achievable as the team work together to follow the mission statement of the great Mahatma Gandih: ‘A patient is the most important person in our practice. He is not an interruption to our work, he is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our practice, he is part of it’ Some members of the team talked about their experience of working at the Orchard Practice. ‘The most amazing team I’ve ever worked in, excellent team spirit’ (Reshma Begum, Gazi Practice Secretary)
‘It has been a pleasure to be involved with the Orchard Practice from the beginning back in 2004. Over this time, we have seen the practice evolve to offer a high standard of care to our thousands of patients. This is shown, for example, in our QOF achievements and patient feedback. Many of the current practice team have also been present since the practice opened, contributing to a excellent team spirit.’ (Satesh Sehedev, GP)
‘We are a very close team at the Orchard, almost like a family’ (Laura Lindores, Receptionist)
From left to right: Reshma Begum Gazi (Practice Secretary) Laura Lindores (Receptionist) Satesh Sehdev (GP) Zoe Berry (Lead Nurse Practitioner) Wendy Chambers (Practice Manager) Anita Erdogan (Reception Administrator) Unfortunately, three other members of staff were not present. Jennie Rollan (Advanced Nurse) Elaine Rixon ( Reception Administrator) Mary Freeman (Advanced Nurse) Finally, the whole team are sad to say good bye to Zoe Berry who is moving on to become a Senior Lecturer at Buckinghamshire University. Zoe has been with the Orchard Practice from the start and will be greatly missed. Good Luck Zoe, and all the best for the Future. Congratulations to all staff at the Orchard Practice! We hope the practice continues helping and treating patients in Hayes and Harlington for many years to come.
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Issue 3 June 2009
Department Spotlight— Human Resources In each edition of PCT Direct, a particular department will be placed in the spotlight. This month it’s the Human Resources team. Please nominate your team or department for the next edition—first come, first served! Human Resources provide a comprehensive and professional service to all Trust staff and managers on a range of HR issues including terms and conditions of employment, employment law, interpretation of the Trust’s HR policies and procedures, a full recruitment service and training on a range of HR issues. Below is a brief summary of who the members of the team are and some of their tasks: (Vacant position) Interim Head of HR To provide support to the HR team and advise and support the Boards of both NHS Hillingdon and Hillingdon Community Health Zoe Austin, Senior HR Manager To provide high level support and advice to staff and managers in the Trusts corporate functions, on all aspects of Human Resources; responsibility for the management of the HR team; to provide training on HR issues; developing policies appropriate to HR. Lorraine Elliott, HR Manager To provide high level support and advice to the Medical and Dental staff; developing policies appropriate to HR; to provide training on HR issues; to oversee the recruitment service for Medical & Dental staff. Natalie Mark, HR Manager for Adult’s Services To provide high level support and advice to staff and managers on all aspects of Human Resources; developing policies appropriate to HR; job description banding under Agenda for Change; to provide training on HR issues and equality and diversity; to oversee the recruitment service for Adult’s Services. (Vacant position) HR Advisor for Adult's Services To provide support and advice to staff and managers on all aspects of Human Resources; to provide training on HR issues and equality and diversity; to oversee the recruitment service for Adult's services. Nicola Espasandin, HR Manager for Children’s Services To provide high level support and advice to staff and managers on all aspects of Human Resources; developing policies appropriate to HR; to provide training on HR issues. Audra Shah, HR Advisor for Children’s Services To provide support and advice to staff and managers on all aspects of Human Resources; to provide training on HR issues and equality and diversity; to oversee the recruitment service for Children’s Services. Sue Hale, Workforce Analyst To provide monthly reports and statutory returns regarding staff information and any ad hoc reports relating to staff information as requested; lead for ESR, inputting staff absence and records; coordinator for Firstcare Absence Management System; to produce yearly HR board reports and staff survey result reports. Laura Ovard, Human Resources Administrator To provide a general HR admin support to staff and managers including amendment to contract letters; Issuing Smartcards. Claire Algar, Recruitment Administrator for Children’s Services To provide a comprehensive recruitment service across the organisation. Michelle O’Loughlin, Recruitment Administrator for Adult’s Services To provide a comprehensive recruitment service across the organisation. Liz Adigun, Employee Support Advisor To provide advice and support on childcare and helping staff achieve a well balanced work and home life through a wide variety of initiatives.
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Issue 3 June 2009
Leavers There are several NHS Hillingdon members of staff who are leaving at this time. Andy Beckingham Acting Director of Public Health, has been at the PCT in this role for a year. His last day was 15th May. Andy Beckingham
Andy’s leaving do: From left to right : Lisa Money Michelle O'Loughlin Claire Algar Andy Beckingham Zoe Austin Boba Rangelov Dorothy Okotie Vasundra Tailor
Jean Bigham
adventures.
Jean retired on Monday 11th May after 15 years at Uxbridge Health Centre as a Health Visitor and Team Leader.
Julia Sheffield
Jean had worked in NHS since she was 16. She is an inspiration to all, not only to He has recently completed Health Visitors but everyone the 2008 Public Health report, else who worked with her. which is mainly focused on She is hard working and full engaging the public rather of enthusiasm. than health professionals. If you are interested in reading Jean was the vision behind Home Start and although she the report, please visit the is retiring she will continue as website here: chairman for Home Start. www.hillingdon.nhs.uk She also plans to do some Bank work as a Health VisiThe report is located in the tor. Publications and Policies area of the website. She will be missed by her colleagues and families and Andy has moved on to will continue to support famiWaltham Forest PCT and we lies beyond the call of duty wish him the best of luck in (I.e. after the children had his role there. reached 5 years of age). We all wish her well in all her
Julia left the PCT on 15th May. She was a Physiotherapist with the Rapid Response Team for nearly 6 years and is leaving to take up a full time post in Chelmsford as a Hospital Chaplain. Julia has been associated with the all former Hillingdon community trusts on and off since 1985! Prior to the rapid response job, she was the team leader for the Community outpatient Physio service under Ann Temmink, so she has seen quite a few people come and go! We wish her all the best for the future.
Employee Support Information Summary of housing options for Key Workers First Time Buyers Initiative (FTBI) FTBI enables first time buyers to buy a share in a home on a designated FTBI development with government financial assistance (minimum £25,001). You don’t have to pay anything on the amount the government has contributed for the first three years. Home Ownership for people with longlong-term disabilities (HOLD) HOLD helps people with long-term disabilities to buy a home on a part buy, part rent basis. You will own part of the home and rent the other part from the housing association. Your rent and mortgage will be paid for by the benefits system. We can provide you will details on how to gain specialist financial advice. HomeBuy Direct HomeBuy Direct helps first time buyers to buy a home directly from a property developer with the help of an equity loan of up to 30% of the property market value. There is no interest to be paid on the loan for the first 5 years. Intermediate Rent This option offers you the chance to rent a brand new or refurbished apartment at a subsidised rent. The rent charged is normally 20 – 30% lower than what you would normally expect to pay for a similar apartment in the same area. London Wide Initiative (LWI) LWI is a shared equity product available solely to key workers across 15 developments in London. The government retains a percentage in the home with no monthly payments due on the government share until you sell the home or leave your key
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Issue 3 June 2009
MyChoiceHomeBuy (MCHB) MCHB is primarily for key workers and public sector tenants, although we will consider applications from other first time buyers with a household income of between £17,600 to £60,000. MCHB enables you to buy a home of your choice on the open market by offering you equity of as much as 50% or as little as 15% towards the value of the home depending on your needs. New Build HomeBuy (NBHB) Through NBHB (previously known as Shared Ownership or part buy, part rent) you can buy a share in a brand new or refurbished home. You usually pay a mortgage on the part you own and a subsidised rent on the part you don’t own. As your income rises, you can increase the share you own, until you eventually own 100% and no longer pay any rent to the housing association. NBHB/SO ReRe-Sales These are NBHB or Shared Ownership properties that were built and sold in the past that are now available for purchase on a part buy, part rent basis as the existing owners wish to sell. Ownhome Ownhome is provided by a partnership between Places for People and the Co-operative Bank. Ownhome is an equity loan of up to 40% to help you buy a home on the open market. Rent to HomeBuy Rent to HomeBuy enables you to rent a new build home at a discounted price, of a minimum of a 20% discount, on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, of between 2 – 3 years. At the end of your tenancy you can apply to buy your home on New Build HomeBuy Terms.
Local Key Worker Housing Developments Austen House UB7 7QL 18 x two-bedroom apartments in Yiewsley for sale through the part-buy, part rent scheme. For more details: www.a2dominion.co.uk/sales Tel: 0800 783 2159 Email: sales@a2dominion.co.uk Nova Point UB8 1GH 26 high quality one and two bedroom apartments for sale through the part buy, part rent scheme. For more details: www.dominionhg.co.uk/sales Tel: 0800 783 2159 Email: sales@dominionhg.co.uk High Point Village, Hayes One & two bedroom apartments available on a part buy, part rent basis. For more details: www.homebuy4u.co.uk Tel: 0845 35 12345 Email: sales@tvha.co.uk Windmill Court, Ruislip Manor 39 one & two bedroom apartments available on a part buy, part rent basis. For more details: www.windmillapartments.co.uk Tel: 0208 996 4767/6666 Easy Move Axiom housing development. Feltham TW13 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available for first time buyers. For more details: Tel 020 8867 0382 Langley Library Langley, Slough SL3 7FP 20 one & two bedroom apartments available through part buy, part rent. For more details: www.a2dominion.co.uk/sales Tel: 0845 408 6699/6600 Email: sales@a2dominion.co.uk
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Issue 3 June 2009
Kirk House 97-109 High Street Yiewsley West Drayton
Do you have any thoughts for the next issue of PCT Direct? It could be suggestions for stories, recipes, or news items. The next issue will include a spotlight on one particular department in the PCT. If you would like to nominate your department, or a department that you want to find out more about, please contact us.
Editors: Lauren Shiel & Gloria Boateng , Communications Assistants Phone: 01895 452000 ext 3011 E-mail: lauren.shiel@hillingdon.nhs.uk E-mail: gloria.boateng@hillingdon.nhs.uk
The next public NHS Hillingdon board meeting is on 30th June 2009 In the Board room at Kirk House (14:00-16:30pm) The first joint NHS Hillingdon and Hillingdon Community Health staff briefing is taking place from 13:00 — 14:00pm on 2nd June, at Barnhill Community Centre. This briefing will be lead by Yi Mien Koh (Chief Executive) and Maria O’Brien (Managing Director of Hillingdon Community Health). For more information please contact Mary Sloyan on 01845 452085. The next Shaping the Future briefing is on 4th June from 11am—12:30pm in the Board room at Kirk House.
Health Awareness Day This event was organised by the Community Engagement Programme with Hillingdon Community Health in partnership with Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK. Ambica Selvaraj (Specialist health Visitor) was the lead for this event. The Sai Organisation, which is a charity, provided the Doctors, Dental surgeons, Orthoptists and a Yoga/exercise tutor. The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust all attended the event to raise the awareness of the Leukemia Illness and the urgent need to have Bone Marrow Donors. They were encouraging people to join the International register for bone marrow donors. 16 people joined the register of Bone Marrow donors and gave blood samples. From Hillingdon there was the Diabetic Team (Andrea Stainton and Agnes Thompson) Community Engagement Staff (Ambica Selveraj, Uma Purohit and Katerina Markvukaj) Dental Educator Kamala Mathews, Smoking Cessation (Marian Mills) and Leila Solanski, a retired School Nurse managed the BMI stand. Blood pressures were taken, BMI's checked, eyes screened, dental checks provided, blood sugar levels tested and to finish, keep fit exercises to music. A lot of health promotion/education was carried out on the day, and it was lively and everyone had great fun.
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Between 10-00 and 3-30 pm 140 people were seen, and over 500 consultations were given to clients.
‘More events should be held frequently’
‘Very friendly and helpful staff’ The event was opened by Deputy Mayor Councillor David Yarrow. Local councillors Mary O'Connor and John Major were in attendance. The Deputy Mayor gave a brief speech on the importance of health awareness and the need to reduce obesity levels. Annette Patterson, Head of Children Services, thanked the ‘Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation UK’ for all their support for the event. She reminded everyone that health was everyone’s responsibility, and days like this helped to promote self help and access into NHS services. The Volunteers from the Sri Sathya Sai Service were absolutely marvelous. They worked tirelessly and were courteous and supportive. There was a healthy lunch and snacks for all the workers. The response from all the attendees were very positive, and this is what they had to say.
‘..enjoyed the day and got much needed health explanations given to us with care’ ‘..it was good to have all health activity and information under one roof’
Many people wanted Cholesterol tests at the next event. There were some health concerns highlighted and referral notes given to the GPs with explanation. A detailed report will be compiled later by the Sathya Sai Organisation. A big thank you to all those who were involved in the event, especially Ambica Selvaraj for organising. Thanks to all, you did a fantastic job! Thank you to Annette Patterson for this article. For further information on this event, please contact Ambica Selvaraj on 07958515452