Health chiefs fear parents are putting their children’s lives at risk by not taking them to have their free NHS flu jab.

Despite an intensive campaign by NHS Stockport so far less than one in four of children who are entitled to the vaccination have had it.

And with experts certain that the first case of flu is just a matter of days away, the plea is for parents not to play Russian roulette with their children’s health.

The latest figures from GPs show that only 23% of 6 month to 2 year olds and just under 26% of 2 to16 year olds in “at risk” groups have been vaccinated.

Last winter in the UK 40 children died from complications after catching flu and the vast majority were in at risk groups but had not been vaccinated.

NHS Stockport’s Consultant in Infection Control Dr David Baxter said “Generally we’re pleased with how the uptake of the vaccine is going but we are very disappointed at the number of at risk children who’ve been immunised.

“We’re not yet at the half way stage of our immunisation programme so there is still time but I’m urging parents not to wait until it’s too late to get their child protected.”

Flu tends to arrive in Britain mid November and once you’ve been vaccinated it can take up to two weeks for it to be fully effective.

The “at risk” groups include anyone who has
• diabetes
• a chest problem or breathing difficulties (such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema)
• a heart problem
• kidney disease or liver disease
• a neurological condition (such as Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease or if you’ve had a stroke)
• a low immune system due to disease (such as cystic fibrosis or Crohn’s disease) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
• a problem with the spleen (such as sickle cell disease) or if the spleen has been removed

The vaccine is also free to people aged 65 and over, all pregnant women and anyone who is the main carer of an elderly or disabled person.

You can keep up-to-date with how the flu campaign is going by following us on twitter @NHSStockport.

Be the first to know when flu has hit town and what we’re doing to protect you against it by following Dr Baxter’s daily tweets.

The Departments response to the consultation on the timing of the registration of providers of NHS primary medical services with the Care Quality Commission has been published.

The Department has decided to defer the registration of most providers of NHS primary medical services for one year until 1st April 2013. The registration of providers of NHS primary medical services out of hous to patients who are not registered with that provider will go ahead from 1st April 2012.

Plans to hand more power to clinicians and modernise the NHS moved a step closer to reality today with the latest draft guidance to support emerging clinical commissioning groups.

It is the latest stage in the Government’s ambition to make the NHS world-class by giving patients more power, focussing on quality, and giving frontline clinicians greater freedom and a strong leadership role.

There are now more than 253 groups of GP practices across the country which have come forward to directly commission services, focused on delivering the best results for their patients. Once authorised as Clinical Commissioning Groups they will take on responsibility for health care budgets from April 2013.

The guidance comes as the NHS moves towards a stronger and streamlined management system for the new commissioning arrangements which supports the reduction of administration costs by a third. From next month, the NHS will have moved from ten management teams at SHA level to just four SHA clusters.

This will allow the NHS to operate more efficiently so that clinical commissioning groups can take on their new responsibilities faster when they are ready to do so and align themselves with the proposed NHS Commissioning Board.

Principally clinical commissioning groups will have a strong clinical focus which will bring together patients, carers and their communities. They will have robust governance requirements which are accountable to patients as well as arrangements for commissioning with other clinical commissioning groups, local authorities and the proposed NHS Commissioning Board.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“Clinical commissioning groups are at the heart of our NHS modernisation plans. They will put healthcare professionals in the driving seat so that they have the freedom and responsibility to design services on behalf of their patients – delivering better quality and integrated care.

“We strengthened our plans following the listening exercise to ensure there will be wider clinical leadership within clinical commissioning groups which will lead to stronger collaboration at a local level.
“Above all, our plans will safeguard the future of our NHS so that it is able to meet the challenges of rising demand, an ageing population and the increasing costs of treatment.”

The development of the NHS Commissioning Board shows the end point for all of this – a single, national organisation to oversee the commissioning system and drive better results for patients.

Over the coming months, the shadow NHS Commissioning Board will refine the approach and continue to work with emerging clinical commissioning groups and key stakeholders on taking these proposals forward.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today officially launched a set of innovative online tools that can help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Eight online Patient Decision Aids (PDAs), commissioned by NHS East of England, give patients information on the pros and cons of different treatment options available to them. As a key product of the Right Care programme, part of the NHS’s work to improve quality, innovation, productivity and prevention, these aids personalise services for patients to make sure they get the right treatment the first time.

Developed by NHS Direct and available on their website for patients to use anywhere across England, the online tools help patients learn more about their condition and the options for tests and treatments on conditions such as cataracts and breast cancer.

Patients are able to see what choices are available to them, input their personal preferences and have an informed discussion with their clinician about their options. These tools do not replace a doctor’s clinical advice but are in addition to help patients prepare for a consultation and any decisions they make afterwards.

Speaking at the launch event in Cambridgeshire today, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I want the NHS to become a collaborative service, one where the patient is an active participant in their own care, with a clear voice saying ‘no decision about me, without me’.

“A modern NHS is one which is focused on the patient and empowers them with a genuine choice about their future. Patients are the greatest untapped resource in healthcare and I want the conversation between doctor and patient to become a meeting between two experts – the clinical expert and the expert on themselves.

“These online Patient Decision Aids are an important step towards helping patients make real, informed decision about their care. They are part of the culture change within a personalised NHS that puts patients in control of their health.”

Improving the quality of personalised services that patients receive the first time means that efficiency savings can be reinvested back into frontline care.

Dr Steven Laitner, General Practitioner and National Clinical Lead for Shared Decision Making said:

“These tools have the potential to transform the lives of patients. Patients will of course still want and need to discuss treatment options with their clinicians but they will start from a more informed, more empowered position. We should allow patients to consider their own needs, personal values and priorities when making a decision about their treatment.

“This approach also benefits clinicians. Better informed patients can save time in the consultation and patients will be more likely to receive treatments which they highly value. It’s really about improving the experiences and outcomes for everyone involved.”


Jean Hardiman Smith, who suffers from arthritis of the knee used the PDA to find out more about her condition:

“The Patient Decision Aid was like having a long, unhurried session with a top knowledgeable specialist, with the extra benefit of additional advice from the videos. The Patient Decision Aid allowed me to learn more about my condition and the treatments on offer - to be able to review this in the context of my own life was hugely beneficial.”

"Stockport Council needs to save £13.5 million in the next financial year (2012-13) and we have a transformation programme based on working with other organisations to deliver our priorities. This will ensure our workforce does things once, in the right way in the right place, avoiding duplication and delivered within a more streamlined organisation. We are keen to consult widely on the principles of our transformation and on the proposed projects with all appropriate people including service users, community and interest groups, partners, employees and trade unions, to assess the project for impact on equalities and to inform people of changes. There are a number of online surveys and there will be a range of focus groups, paper questionnaires and panel surveys supported by a wide range of communications.

The two consultations that fall within Adult Social Care are:

Community Meals
Adult Social Care Transport

Whilst we are aiming to be as efficient as possible in how we spend public money, we think it is important to maintain vital services. The Council faces both increased demands on our services and reductions in the money available to meet them. Every opportunity to make savings is being explored, but we also have to ensure that we raise enough income and therefore reduce the overall cost of services. We are considering an increase in charges but before we do this we are seeking people’s views and want to know how it will affect them. In addition to the online consultation we are sending out printed questionnaires to the current users of both these services. Both services are subsidised by the Council and despite the proposed increases will remain subsidised services.

Online versions of the consultation questionnaire are available on the Stockport Council website at www.stockport.gov.uk/haveyoursay and as a result of this consultation you may be contacted by people seeking further information or advice. To support you with this process there is a list of Frequently Asked Questions also available online but also please do not hesitate to contact us direct if you have any queries.

Please share this information with colleagues in your organisation. Hard copies of the questionnaire and the FAQs are available on request, please ring the Information & Publicity Office on 0161 474 4614."

Local organisations will be able to access new tools from today that will help improve the health and wellbeing of adults with autism, announced Care Services Minister Paul Burstow. The new tools have been launched on the eve of World Autism Day.

‘Fulfilling and rewarding lives: Evaluating Progress’ is a new Department of Health self assessment resource which will be available online. It is to be used locally and clearly sets out what local authorities need to achieve to implement the Adult Autism Strategy and allows adults with autism, their families, carers and representative groups to see what progress is being made in their local area and how this compares across the country.

They will be able to monitor improvements including:

- whether there is increased access to services;
- if more adults with autism have received a personal budget;
whether there is increased satisfaction with local services;
- whether adults with autism, their family and carers have greater involvement in service planning;
- if there is increased confidence in the accuracy of diagnostic services; and
whether healthcare professionals are able to identify signs of autism.

The Department of Health has also funded a series of on-line training resources and booklets that will increase awareness and understanding of autism across all public services.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said:

“For too long adults with autism have not been getting appropriate care and support to help improve their health and wellbeing.

“This is not acceptable and the Government has been clear that we are committed to improving health outcomes for those with autism so that they can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.

“These new tools will help local authorities to drive change and create locally led, personalised services for adults with autism. We hope to see changes starting to take shape across the country shortly and an improvement in services and patient experience.”

Members of the public are invited to come to an event to talk about their experiences of local diabetes services.

NHS Stockport wants to get the views of people with diabetes to make sure that the best possible services are provided.

As part of the process, we are holding an event at the Alma Lodge Hotel, Buxton Road, Stockport on Thursday 17th February from 6.30pm to 9pm with a buffet from 6pm.

Local GP Dr Jaweeda Idoo said “The NHS belongs to us all and we are keen to get patients involved in decisions about healthcare and how we can improve our local services.

“By getting involved you have the opportunity to influence decision making and health service developments. It helps us, as decision makers, to ensure that services meet your needs.”

For further information or to book a place ring 0161 249 4232 or e-mail communications@nhsstockport.nhs.uk (quoting diabetes in the subject line).

Alternatively you can let us have your views of the current service by completing the online survey on the NHS Stockport website at www.nhsstockport.nhs.uk/yourfeedback.aspx

Stockport Carers’ Forum was reborn in January 2010 as Carers' Voice to enable all Carers to get together on a regular basis to discuss issues of common concern. This also gives Carers a real voice when the Government, Council or other public body (for example the Primary Care NHS Trust and the Stepping Hill Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) discuss care issues and make decisions on our behalf. Since then we have held several meetings of the Forum and had a number of expert speakers on those things that matter to Carers (for example discussions on 'Personalisation' and Direct Payments). By holding consultation events, we have also been able to provide the Council with valuable feedback about Carers needs and priorities.

We now meet once every two months with a sandwich lunch provided. The first part of the meeting gives our ‘experts’ the opportunity to speak to the audience, and most importantly allows the audience to ask questions! The second part of the meeting is for Carers only and we use this time to talk about common issues and to pass on advice, information and suggestions – a very successful example of Carers helping each other.

Finally, because Carers' Voice is steered by carers, on behalf of carers, our opinions and input are highly valued and are particularly important with the anticipated cuts to local budgets.

All Carers are welcome to attend

For further information and meeting details for 2011 please contact Glenys Paterson on 0161 456 2808 or e-mail StockportCarersForum@gmail.com

Stockport doctors are urging people to give flu the cold shoulder this winter by getting their seasonal flu jab.

The vaccine is offered free of charge to people in at-risk groups who have a greater chance of developing serious complications from flu.

Although most people recover after a week or two, for some, flu is still life threatening with up to 8,000 thousand people a year dying from complications like pneumonia.

In the past uptake of the jab in Stockport has been good however this year uptake rates amongst those aged 65 and over and those in at-risk groups is much lower than previous years.

NHS Stockport aims to immunise everyone who is at risk and the vaccines are now available from your GP practice.

The at-risk groups include pensioners and people with long term medical conditions like diabetes and severe asthma.

Dr. David Baxter, Consultant for Infection Control for NHS Stockport said: “For most people flu is just a really unpleasant illness but for some it can be life threatening.

“Please don’t wait until there is an outbreak to get vaccinated, if you are eligible, get in touch with your GP practice and get protected without delay.

“Getting immunised each year is the best way to protect yourself. Even if you had the jab for swine flu earlier this year you still need the seasonal flu vaccine because it is a different virus.”

The vaccine does not contain any live virus, so it cannot cause flu but it gives you protection from flu for a year.

Stockport NHS is to suspend funding for new patients seeking IVF.

It's the latest move as part of the trust's money saving drive - and is expected to cut around a third of a million pounds in expenses from the budget.

The trust will provide funds so that patients on its current IVF waiting list may recieve treatment but no new patients will be added to the list.

For more information, you can read the full press release here.

NHS Stockport is leading the way in improving patient care and safety by delivering an innovative, information sharing system.

The Stockport Health Record has been set up so doctors at A&E and the Out of Hours service can have access to vital medical details about patients they are seeing.

It’s meant creating an IT system that allows the sharing of data from GP practices that all use different electronic systems to keep their records.

Until it was set up, clinicians had to rely on the patient and their family to correctly remember key information like what medication they’re on and whether they are allergic to any drugs.

The availability of the medical records will speed up the process and reduce any risks, meaning the patient has the best possible chance of recovering quickly.

So far all but five of Stockport’s 53 GP practices have signed up to sharing vital medical information on their patients with unscheduled care service providers

The system went live last November with Stockport’s Out of Hours service being the first to benefit from having access to patients’ medical records.

It instantly paid dividends with, for example, one elderly patient not being prescribed an antibiotic she was allergic to because the doctor was able to see her records.

Now, however, when people arrive at Stepping Hill’s A&E in an emergency, doctors there will also be able to check their medical history.

So far the records of nearly 250,000 patients are available to be accessed but it’s hoped soon everyone will be on board.

However if anyone is unhappy about their medical details being shared, they can opt out from the system and have their records held only at their practice.

Further developments in the pipeline include the integration of the system with Stockport Council Adult Services.

Over a third of Stockport people using NHS websites and NHS Direct diagnose and treat themselves saving their local health service precious funds.

There’s been a 10% increase in the number of people self-diagnosing this way as it offers a convenient and quick guide to illnesses, symptoms and treatments.
It’s estimated that nationally this saves the NHS over £44 million a year and it helps ease the pressure on busy A&E services.

But more needs to be done to halt the dramatic rise in the number of people going to A&E for minor ailments, the majority of which could have been self treated.

At the launch of Self-Care Week (15th – 21st Nov), NHS Stockport is promoting the message that treating yourself is the best way to deal with very minor illnesses and injuries.

With a well stocked first aid kit you can treat yourself at home and save yourself the inconvenience of a trip to the doctors.

Your medicine cabinet should contain things like a thermometer, plasters and bandages, painkillers, flu remedies, antiseptic cream and a skin rash cream.

Local GP Dr Ranjit Gill said “It is vital that people only go to A&E when it is a real emergency that way we can make sure that services are quickly available when people need them.

“Having a few basic essentials in your cupboard will enable you to treat lots of common illnesses and minor injuries at home.

“That will be more convenient for you and at the same time will help us save our resources for the times you really need us.”

Local pharmacists can also offer expert advice on common illnesses and injuries and will recommend the best medicines to treat them without the need for an appointment.

Most pharmacists in Stockport also have confidential consulting rooms so people can seek their advice in private about medical problems.

Said Viv Farrell, a pharmacist at the Cooperative Pharmacy in Marple Bridge, “There are chemists on every high street and in every community so they are a really easy and convenient way for people to get medical help.

“People may not realise but we are part of the NHS team and we can offer so much more than just handing out your prescription medicines.

“We can give advice and treatment for lots of winter conditions like sore throats, coughs, colds and flu but we can also help with things like back ache, minor sports injuries and other accidents.

“We’re asking you to think about using your chemist more – it’ll save you time and save the NHS money.”

With winter around the corner, the NHS is gearing itself up to face its busiest time so it’s more important than ever that people choose the right way to get medical help.

For more information visit www.nhsstockport.nhs.uk and click on the Choose Well logo.

High street chemists in Stockport are backing the NHS fight to cut the increasing number of people using A&E and 999 services when they don’t need to.

It’s estimated that one in every four people turning up at A&E don’t need to be there putting a strain on our emergency services and costing the NHS millions.

So, at the launch of National Pharmacy Week, Stockport’s chemists are urging people use them more and relieve the pressure on the health service.

And to help you find your nearest pharmacy they’re promoting a free “chemist finder” text service using GPS so you don’t even need to state where you are.

All you need to do is text “pharmacy” to 64746 to receive free texts with the name, address and telephone number of your three nearest chemists.

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can offer expert advice and treatment on a whole range of ailments without the need for an appointment.

Said Viv Farrell, a pharmacist in Marple Bridge, “There are chemists on every high street and in every community so they are a really easy and convenient way for people to get medical help.

“People may not realise but we are part of the NHS team and we can offer so much more than just handing out your prescription medicines.

“We can give advice and treatment for lots of winter conditions like sore throats, coughs, colds and flu but we can also help with things like back ache, minor sports injuries and other accidents.

“We’re asking you to think about using your chemist more – it’ll save you time and save the NHS money.”

With winter around the corner, the NHS is gearing itself up to face its busiest time so it’s more important than ever that people choose the right way to get medical help.

For more information visit www.nhsstockport.nhs.uk and click on the Choose Well logo.

Parents are being urged to “think about drink” to save their children from the damages of alcohol.

It’s estimated that around 2.6 million children in the UK live with hazardous drinkers and alcohol plays a role in almost three quarters of all child mistreatment cases.

But the well being and development of youngsters can even be damaged if their parents are tired, irritable or depressed as an after effect of drinking too much.

So during Alcohol Awareness Week (18th –24th October) the Safer Stockport Partnership is asking us all to “take the test” and complete an anonymous on-line questionnaire to check if our drinking is at a harmful level.

Dr Steve Watkins, Director of Public Health, commented, “Alcohol misuse is now the single greatest threat to the health and well-being of Stockport’s population.

“Now more than ever the NHS and the council need to work together to help people understand how alcohol affects individuals, families and communities, so they can make informed choices about how much they drink.

“As large employers we recognise that many of our own staff could benefit by drinking less, and we will be encouraging them to take the test on the NHS Choices website.”

Alcohol-related hospital admissions in Stockport have more than doubled in the last decade but that figure doesn’t include people just going to A&E.

So the hospital and NHS Stockport Alcohol Health Advice service are working closely to tackle the problem.

During a visit to A&E to see the work being done, Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Executive Member for Communities at Stockport Council, said ‘It’s time we recognised the harmful effects that alcohol use by adults can have on our families.

“The Emergency Department deals with a lot of long and short-term effects of alcohol on people’s health, and I’m pleased to see that staff here are helping people to reflect on their drinking and to get further advice and support if they need it.’

All adult patients going to A&E are now routinely asked to fill in a Lifestyles questionnaire, which asks them about smoking, weight and alcohol.

Clinical staff can then identify those who are drinking more than ‘low-risk’ levels, offer a brief word of advice or referral for further help and support if required.

Last month a new system was launched at A&E, with NHS Stockport’s Alcohol Health Advice, to make it easier for medics and nursing staff to refer patients and it’s proving a real success with 130 people being referred in the first three weeks.

Alcohol Health Advice offers motivational support and advice to anyone over 26 who wants to cut down on their drinking, but is not alcohol-dependent.

The Community Alcohol Team helps adult dependent drinkers, while Mosaic, the Council's young people's drug and alcohol service, caters for children and young adults, up to 25 years old.

Mosaic is working to make sure a range of front-line services are skilled and confident in identifying alcohol and other substance misuse affecting the young people they work with.

Since Oct 09, they have trained over 200 people how to screen and assess young people for substances, including alcohol. These include teachers, youth workers, social workers, college tutors, voluntary organisations, midwives and other health professionals.

During the week, many schools and colleges will be highlighting the effects of alcohol and Youth Service will be working with groups of young people around drinking and its effects.

The alcohol test is at www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alcoholhome.aspx

Customers will be able to help young carers across the UK this Christmas by purchasing special festive sandwiches from The Co-operative Group.

The retailer is launching three own-brand Christmas sandwiches on 10 November. When purchased, 10p from each sale will go towards funding an online support service for young carers.

YCNet – part of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers – is the only dedicated web site and online support service for children and young people under the age of 18, who help to look after someone in their family with an illness, disability, drug/alcohol addiction or mental health problem. Some of the young carers are only five years old.

Earlier this year The Co-operative Group, launched its multi-million pound Inspiring Young People campaign. This is part of its ongoing support and commitment to helping young people in communities across the UK.

The three sandwiches – all retailing at £2.50 – include a Turkey, Stuffing, Bacon & Cranberry variety; Wiltshire Ham & Braised Red Cabbage; and a Christmas Dinner Triple, which includes prawn cocktail, turkey & stuffing and cheddar cheese & chutney variants.

You can read the leaflet, which will give you more information by clicking here.

Bowel cancer is the third most common in the UK killing around 16,000 people a year and it mainly affects the over 60s.

As a result, the national Bowel Cancer Screening Programme was introduced in a bid to detect it earlier so giving people a better chance of survival.

Men and women aged between 60-69 and who are registered with a GP are automatically being sent screening kits every two years.

The kit contains easy instructions for people to follow in the privacy of their own home.

The programme started in Stockport in December last year and is already saving lives.

So far nearly 15,000 kits have been sent out and over half of those have been returned completed.

Out of those, 43 patients have had polyps removed thereby reducing their risks of developing bowel cancer later on in life.

Six people have been found to have cancer that they knew nothing about and are now undergoing specialist treatment.

Dr Steve Watkins, Director of Public Health for Stockport said “We are really encouraged that so many people have decided to take advantage of the screening kits.

But we’d urge everyone who receives kit to take part – it really simple to do and it could save your life”

You can find out more about the screening at any of the following events

• 13th October – Promoting awareness at the Learning Disabilities conference at Alma Lodge
• 19th October – Taking part in a workplace Health Event at M&S – with the workplace stop smoking team
• 27th October – Promoting awareness at the over 50s Young@Heart event – Bridgehall Community Centre (1-4pm)
• 29th October – Multicultural Extravaganza as part of Black History Month at Stockport College (5-8pm)

On 27th October a large Advan will drive around Brinnington, Lancashire Hill, Adswood and Bridgehall to raise awareness of the screening programme.

The Stockport Health Record has been set up so doctors at A&E and the Out of Hours service can have access to vital medical details about patients they are seeing.

It’s meant creating an IT system that allows the sharing of data from GP practices that all use different electronic systems to keep their records.

Until it was set up, clinicians had to rely on the patient and their family to correctly remember key information like what medication they’re on and whether they are allergic to any drugs.

The availability of the medical records will speed up the process and reduce any risks, meaning the patient has the best possible chance of recovering quickly.

So far all but five of Stockport’s 53 GP practices have signed up to sharing vital medical information on their patients with unscheduled care service providers

The system went live last November with Stockport’s Out of Hours service being the first to benefit from having access to patients’ medical records.

It instantly paid dividends with, for example, one elderly patient not being prescribed an antibiotic she was allergic to because the doctor was able to see her records.

Now, however, when people arrive at Stepping Hill’s A&E in an emergency, doctors there will also be able to check their medical history.

So far the records of nearly 250,000 patients are available to be accessed but it’s hoped soon everyone will be on board.

However if anyone is unhappy about their medical details being shared, they can opt out from the system and have their records held only at their practice.

Further developments in the pipeline include the integration of the system with Stockport Council Adult Services.

Angela Phillips, Director of Finance, Performance and Estates Development at NHS Stockport explains how money moves around the NHS.

You can view the video on the NHS Stockport website by clicking here

A new campaign will help young people to make more informed choices about contraception, look after their sexual health and avoid unwanted pregnancies.

The campaign aims to promote more open and honest discussions about sex, relationships and contraception among 16 to 24 year olds and their parents. Research shows that a lack of knowledge, and misinformation, coupled with poor attitudes and communication

The first phase of the campaign, Contraception. Worth Talking About will increase young people’s awareness of the different types of contraception and remind them that they won't be protected against STIs unless they use a condom.

Despite recent progress, with teenage births down 23 per cent to the lowest level for 15 years, there is still more to do. Research and evidence shows that better communication and more knowledgeable conversations about sexual health and relationships are

For more information about this campaign, click here to get to the Depertment for Children, Schools and Families press release.

Hatton Grange would like to invite you to look around the home, see the state-of-the art facilities, meet the senior management team and speak to the staff within the home. Date: Wednesday 16th September Time: 11.30am – 2.30pm

Programme: Tours of the home throughout the day 12pm – Guest speaker John Hazlehurst, Head of Adult Strategic Joint Commissioning from Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council 12.30pm – Buffet Lunch

You are welcome to drop in at anytime between 11.30am and 2.30pm and if you require more invitations for your colleagues please let us know. The address of the care hhome is Hatton Grange, Olham Street, Hyde, SK14 1LN.

We are also holding an open day for the public on Sunday 20th September from 11.00am – 3.00pm.

For more information or to book your place call 0113 385 3885.

The Patients Association have recently reported that basic care is lacking in hospitals based on a patient lobby group who are demanding an urgent review of basic hospital care after highlighting accounts of "appalling" NHS standards.

The report focused on 16 cases from relatives of patients in England, which the association says are just a few of "hundreds and hundreds" of similar reports from across the UK.

The LINk would like to hear of your experiences, Habe you had a stay in hospital recently? if so how was it? let the LINk know by filling out our Feedback Form on this site.

You can read the whole article by clicking here

Macmillan Cancer Support are hosting a Coffee Morning on 25th September 2009 between 10am and noon at Mastercall, Stockport to raise funds for the charity.

For a £1 donation, Macmillian are providing coffee, biscuits and cake as well as hoping to run a raffle and book swap.

£1 will ensure that one more person receives leaflets giving them information on their cancer and where they can get support.

£40 can help a cancer support group hold their first meeting.

£184 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for a working day.

Mastercall Out of Hours, 226-228 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK2 6NW

It is now FIFTY YEARS since the Platt Report was published on 2 February 1959 by the Ministry of Health. Although the Platt Report was adopted as official policy by the Ministry they were unable to enforce the recommendation. No change took place.

As Manchester is the city in which Sir Harry Platt lived and worked, the year will culminate in a Lord Mayor’s Reception, Visits to the new children’s hospital and a Conference in a delightful setting, part of The University of Manchester campus.

As LINk members you are invited to attend the conference. For more information or to book your place, visit the website: www.actionforsickchildren.org, telephone Action for Sick Children on 01663 763004, enquiries@actionforsickchildren.org or contact theRegistrations fees are as follows: £50 for Members of Action for Sick Children, £80 for bookings prior to 1 September and £95 for bookings after 1 September. Early booking is recommended and discounts apply.

The conference will take place on the 19th November 2009, between 9am & 4pm at Chancellors Way, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6NN. Tel: 0161 907 7414 Email: chancellors@manchester.ac.uk.

If you become unwell or are injured this winter a range of NHS Services exist in Stockport to help you get well.

Choosing the right one will ensure you recieve the best possible treatment, allowing in-demand services to help those in most need.

For a copy of this guide please down a copy from our Key Documents section or contact Sue Jeeves on 0161 426 5009 or email: sue.jeeves@stockport-pct.nhs.uk