Issue 94  |  3 May 2024

Welcome to this week's Stakeholder Bulletin.

Our stakeholder bulletin aims to bring you key updates from the health and care system.

The NHS is here to help you over the bank holiday – so make sure you know your services to get the care you need.

• Some community pharmacies will be open over the bank holiday. Please check the NHS England website for pharmacy opening times and other useful information about accessing NHS services over the bank holiday period.
• GP practice services will largely be closed over the bank holiday. If you need medical advice, please contact NHS 111 through the online service https://111.nhs.uk.
• The five Urgent Treatment Centres in Derby and Derbyshire are open over the bank holiday from 8am-8pm and can treat a range of urgent care needs, without the long waits at A&E.

Please remember that if you have a medical emergency, such as a suspected heart attack, stroke, or other serious life-threatening condition, to call 999.

Dr Kathy McLean OBE started in her new role as Chair of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board on Wednesday 1 May, taking over from Richard Wright MBE who has been Acting Chair since July 2023.

Dr McLean has stood down from her chair role of over four years at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) to take up her new post. Dr McLean will perform the role alongside her existing role as chair of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board and Integrated Care Partnership. The two roles complement each other and are aligned to the development of the Combined Authority across Derby & Derbyshire and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire. Dr McLean is also chair of NHS Confederation's Integrated Care System (ICS) Network.

Speaking on her first day in the role, Dr McLean said: "I am excited to get to work in my new role. I hope to use my clinical experience and work in national and local leadership roles to support the system in improving health outcomes, tackling health inequalities, and making sure our local NHS is as productive as possible for the people of Derby and Derbyshire.

“I live in Derby and as a former hospital consultant at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, I am committed to and passionate about the care provided to the Derbyshire community. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues, partners, residents and patients across the system to support and improve the health and wellbeing of local people."

Quick teamwork across many different parts of the NHS system in Derbyshire helped a GP practice recover from a devastating flood within just 24 hours.

Hannage Brook GP practice in Wirksworth was flooded early on Monday morning, putting several consulting rooms out of action, bringing down the ceiling in the waiting area and other rooms, and causing the electricity and IT equipment to stop working.

The practice quickly informed patients that it was closed and put in place alternative arrangements to see urgent appointments.

However, by Monday afternoon the practice was able to see some patients and by Tuesday morning the practice was operating nearly as normal.

You can read more about the efforts on our website.

Patients who are concerned that they may be at risk of hepatitis C can now do a simple test at home to find out if they have hepatitis C. You can find out more on the hepatitis C testing websites.

Derbyshire County Council is considering a range of changes to its provision of services for children and adults.

• On children's services, the council is proposing to refocus its service, to keep 12 children's centres open, but to close 10 that are either less well used, or are close to other larger centres.
• The council is also extending the consultation period over The Getaway and the Outback early help services, which both provide support to families of disabled children.
• It is running a consultation over proposals to redesign day opportunities and short breaks for people with learning disabilities and / or autism.

The council is also considering how to redesign the way it delivers residential care and day services for older people. Options include retaining some of its care homes and converting them into specialist dementia centres but also to cease to operate some of its other centres.

If you're visually impaired, or know someone who is, Sight Support Derbyshire is holding a sensory tech day to showcase the technology available to make living with a visual impairment easier.

There will be a range of products available to explore and experts to chat to. You can also find out how to get the best out of your smart phone, tablet, or computer.

The event is on Wednesday 15 May 2024 from 10.30am to 3.30pm at the Post Mill Centre (off Market Street), South Normanton, near Alfreton, DE55 2EJ.

People who are immunosuppressed, aged 75 or over and older adults care home residents are now eligible for their covid-19 spring vaccine. People in these groups will be invited to book in for their vaccine starting from April. It is really important to book in and get your vaccine if this is offered to you. The vaccine reduces your risk of becoming seriously unwell with covid.

Book yours now if eligible

The UK Health Security Agency has reported an increase in measles across the country and is encouraging people to check that they and their children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

It’s important for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children. If you or your child have missed your MMR vaccine in the past, please speak to your GP.

Anyone with symptoms is also being advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice.

For more information about measles, see the nhs.uk website.

ThinkFest! 2025 returns this year, at Vicar Lane on Saturday 25 May from 10am-3pm with an exciting line up of entertainers, workshops and panels. 

ThinkFest! is Derbyshire's first mental health style festival that opens up conversations and awareness around mental health, suicide and wellbeing in Chesterfield town centre. This years theme is 'Songs That Saved Your Life'

The event is currently looking for stall holders from organisations who offer services in mental health.

If you would like to hold a stall at ThinkFest! 2025 - Songs That Saved Our Lives then please fill out this online form.

If you have any questions or queries, then please contact georgiabirdfoundation@gmail.com

Did you know that you don't always need to see a GP or consultant to access some referral services? Self-referral is an option that can make it easier and faster for you to get help, rather than seeing your doctor.

You can register for most of them online. Click on the service you're interested in, and find the help you need easily.