Issue 114  |  20 September 2024

Welcome to this week's Stakeholder Bulletin.

We aim to bring you key updates each week from the health and care system.

In this edition, you can find out more about Falls Awareness Week, an update from the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Delivery Board, and hear the latest Let's Chat Derbyshire podcast.

This week is Falls Awareness Week.

In our latest blog, hear more from Kay as she explains the benefits of setting up a falls prevention group in the rural Peak District community in Hartington. 

Kay said: "The classes have helped to remove the barriers people would otherwise face, such as transport, or the weather, or social isolation."

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, but many can be prevented with the right knowledge and exercise. In recognition of Falls Awareness Week, we are sharing Age UK Derby and Derbyshire's e-learning course to help you become more aware of the risk factors of falls and how to address them to support those around you.

The Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Thursday where the public heard from Chief Executive Chris Clayton and Chair Dr Kathy McLean about reflections from the last year and priorities for the next.

The financial accounts were also formally presented by Keith Griffiths Chief Finance Officer. 

The AGM followed the September ICB Board meeting which included a presentation from the Hartington Falls Prevention Programme. 

The Board watched and welcomed a recent film about the work the team has been doing to help embed preventative care in their community.

The Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Delivery Board brings together partner organisations working across health and social care in Derby and Derbyshire. The Delivery Board met on Thursday September 5 2024. This update shares key points of discussion from the meeting.

Local disability support and community groups, supported by the Chesterfield Equality and Diversity Forum, are to hold a free event during National Inclusion Week and Chesterfield residents are invited to come along.

The inclusion day will take place Tuesday September 24 between 10am and 3pm at New Square, and Grace Chapel in Chesterfield town centre.

Karen Lawson, a social prescriber who works together with local GP practices to support people in managing their disabilities, has helped to organise the event.

She said: "I'm inspired by the people in our community who face daily challenges of accessibility and inclusion. Their voice is often not heard.

"They are asking decision-makers and the community to spend 'a moment in our shoes' so they know what it feels like.

The NHS will be offering Covid, flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccinations this winter to protect those most at risk from being unwell over the winter months.

The RSV rollout started on September 2, and includes a vaccine for pregnant women over 28 weeks to help protect their newborn babies, and a routine programme for those aged 75 to 79.

People aged 75 to 79 years old will be invited to receive their RSV vaccination with their GP. Pregnant women should speak to their maternity service or their GP.

Flu vaccinations are available for pregnant women and children from September 1. From October 3, Covid and flu vaccinations will be available for all the other eligible cohorts.

The Virtual Wards programme has been nominated for a Health Tech award. 

Derby and Derbyshire ICB partnered with Doccla, a specialist virtual wards platform, in July 2023 to integrate remote patient monitoring, enabling patients to receive hospital level support from their own homes. The project involved a collaborative system wide approach with a multi-disciplinary team including clinical staff, therapeutic services, pharmacy, administrative teams, and IT colleagues.

People with a learning disability are being invited to have their say over the way NHS short breaks services are provided in Derbyshire.

A series of workshops, events and meetings is to take place between Tuesday September 10 and Friday November 29.

Families, carers and people who speak on behalf of service users are also being invited to take part.

The Let's Chat Derbyshire podcast offers support and resources on mental health, suicide prevention and neurodiversity. In their latest episode, hear from Ryan who discusses his personal experience with suicidal thoughts.

Did you know 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. Find out more.