Members of the public and local GPs have been getting together to talk about health issues recently. Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group has four Locality groupings and each has been holding a local ‘Lets Talk Health’ event. To date events have been held by the Amersham & Chesham Locality at the Free Church in Amersham, by the Wooburn Green Locality at the Hilltop Community Centre in Handy Cross and by the Wycombe Locality at the King’s centre in central Wycombe. The fourth meeting by the Southern Locality is to be held at 1pm on Wednesday 2nd May at the Chalfont St Peter Community Centre, to which all are welcome.

After presentations on how the Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group is developing and public health in each locality, the attendees split up into groups to work out the local health priorities.  One suggestion of what would bring the greatest benefit was to keep local people fit and healthy. Each group contained a GP and members of the public.

Contact details were exchanged and everyone agreed that this sort of close working should be repeated again soon.

Copies of the presentations given at each event can be accessed below:

• Amersham and Chesham Locality
• Clinical Commissioning Presentation
• Public Health presentation
• Wooburn Green Locality
• Clinical Commissioning Presentation
• Public Health presentation
• Wycombe Locality
• Clinical Commissioning Presentation
• Public Health presentation

Rides start May 20th

In what will be an amazing year for cycling in Britain, a partnership between local authorities, British Cycling and Sky is bringing over 1,000 free led rides to towns and neighbourhoods across the country, including Aylesbury Vale.

With British Cycling-trained Ride Leaders on hand to offer encouragement and support, it’s a great way to get out and explore local areas.

Registration is free and open now for rides in Aylesbury Vale. More rides are being added all the time, so families, friends and groups can check out the dates and details of rides taking place locally in Aylesbury Vale, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes, Slough, St Albans, Surrey, and Watford.

Rides vary in levels, from beginners to experienced cyclists, so everyone can pick a level to suit skills and enjoyment. New for 2012 are new ride levels to excite and challenge, including some tougher rides and new off-road rides at all levels. And there are great gifts for children who join in 1, 2 or 3 rides.

Rides will be running all Summer and Sky Ride Local is pleased to be working with Wheelpower to support the Mix 96 Tour de Vale event this year. So whether you’re taking part in the Tour or if just want to come out for a ride with British Cycling why not try one of our Sky Ride Local – Tour de Vale warm up rides (from May 20th)?

For more information www.goskyride.com

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest sporting event ever to take place in this country. But it’s not just about two weeks of sport in London, hosting a Community Games is a great way for you to bring your community together to take part in sporting and cultural activities inspired by, and in celebration of, London 2012.

We hope to give thousands of people across the county their own Olympic and Paralympic moment, to help community groups and organisations to do this we have outlined in the link below a range of resources and support that is available to existing and new event organiser in Buckinghamshire during 2012.

Bucks Community Games Offer.

All you need to do to access this great range of offers is register your event at www.communitygames.org.uk and we will be in touch to organise your support package. If you have any questions relating to the support and resources available to you in Buckinghamshire please contact Bucks Sport on 01296 585215.

Supported by : locally by Bucks Sport and NHS Buckinghamshire and nationally by YMCA and Legacy Trust UK

To kick start the campaign members of the Healthy Communities Partnership are inviting Bucks residents to take part in one of the many activities and groups happening across Buckinghamshire that help to improve wellbeing.

Paul Rogerson – Chairman of Healthy Communities Partnership – says:

“We’re lucky we live in a beautiful part of the country with lots of opportunities for people to adopt the FiveWays into their lives. And to help them do that we’re promoting the activities and groups on offer in Bucks.

“Research has shown that people who feel happier – or who have good wellbeing – can live for 7.5 years longer than someone who doesn’t. FiveWays to Wellbeing reminds all of us to make the most of living and working in Bucks, and to make use of everything around us, that can improve our own wellbeing.”

Members of the Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) have pooled their resources to create an online wellbeing information hub to help Bucks people find ways to boost their wellbeing close to them: www.buckinghamshire.nhs.uk/wellbeing

Not only does the wellbeing hub present lots of useful information about each of the Five Ways to Wellbeing but it lets users search for the type of wellbeing activity they’d like to do in the area they live in.

Taking care of our wellbeing helps us to get the most out of life and to stay healthy.  Jane O’Grady – Director for Public Health (at NHS Buckinghamshire & Buckinghamshire County Council) – says:

“People in Buckinghamshire are generally healthier than the national average. However a range of factors such as the economic downturn have the potential to worsen health and mental wellbeing. The great thing about Five Ways to Wellbeing is that it reminds us that even a small change in our daily lives can make a big difference when it comes to our health and wellbeing.”

- ENDS -

Five Ways to Wellbeing >> Take notice >> of the beautiful countryside around you

Notes

1. The Five Ways to Wellbeing were developed by NEF (the New Economics Foundation) as part of the government’s Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing.
2. In 2011, the Department of Health launched a cross government mental health strategy for people of all ages, ‘No Health without Mental Health’.  This strategy states the importance of a broad population approach to mental health and wellbeing and gave equal weight to both physical and mental health on wellbeing, strongly encouraging the adoption of theFive Waysto Wellbeing.
3. The Healthy Communities Partnership is usingFive Waysto Wellbeing to promote existing activities and work already happening in Bucks that contribute to improving mental health and wellbeing.
4. The Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) is a group of public sector and volunteer groups who work together to promote good health and wellbeing in Buckinghamshire. The organisations working on Five Ways to Wellbeing on behalf of HCP are:
   • Aylesbury Vale District Council  www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk
   • Buckinghamshire County Council  www.buckscc.gov.uk
   • Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk
   • Bucks Sport  www.buckssport.org
   • Chiltern District Council  www.chiltern.gov.uk
   • Community Impact Bucks  www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk
   • NHS Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Cluster  www.buckinghamshire.nhs.uk
   • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust  www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
   • South Bucks District Council  www.southbucks.gov.uk
   • The Buckingham Way  www.thebuckinghamway.org.uk
   • Wycombe District Council  www.wycombe.gov.uk
   • Contributions from Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group
5. Click here to read the HCP Healthy Communities Strategy 2009-2014 http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/community/V12 HC Strategy FINAL.doc
6. The five things we can all do to improve our wellbeing are:

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will be providing the new Level 2 Integrated Sexual Health Service across Buckinghamshire from 1 April 2012. THT is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, delivering information and advice about HIV and sexual health, and a range of community-based sexual health services from centres across England, Scotland and Wales.

The new service commissioned by NHS Buckinghamshire will target those most at risk of sexual ill health as shown by a sexual health needs assessment and in line with the Buckinghamshire HIV and Sexual Health Strategy 2009/14. THT will be offering local people free and confidential testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy testing and a range of contraception services including long acting reversible contraception (LARCs).

Over the next few months there will be a certain amount of re-organisation of clinics to ensure services are more efficient and focused on meeting the needs of local people living in Buckinghamshire. We will make every effort to ensure disruption to clinics is kept to a minimum during this transition period and maintain regular communication with GPs, community pharmacist, all sexual health providers, patients and the general public to ensure you are informed about the service changes and developments.

Information is available regarding the outreach sexual health service by telephone: 0771754 0966 and email info.sexualhealthbucks@tht.org.uk. Information regarding the range of sexual health services currently delivered across the county can be found at www.sexualhealthbucks.nhs.uk.

During April and May the Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group (CCCG) are holding events to talk about local health issues with members of the public.

The introduction of Clinical Commissioning means that GPs will work together with the public, other partners and health professionals to plan and design healthcare.

The Government wants to encourage more decisions about health services to be made at a local level.  In response to this the CCCG are keen to listen and work together with patients and local groups to look at local health issues and to understand what is important to local people. 

Dr Annet Gamell, a local GP and Lead Clinician of Chiltern CCG says:

“Our aim is that GPs and other health professionals leading the planning of healthcare will reflect local views and needs.  This means we need to work more closely with local people and the groups that represent them.” 

“The four events that we are holding in South Buckinghamshire are a great opportunity to kick start this process and begin conversations about how local healthcare should be developed.”

The events will take place on:

17^th April 6.30pm- 8pm
Amersham Free Church, Woodside Road, HP6 6AJ.

18^th April 1pm-2.30pm
Hilltop Community Centre (Handy Cross), High Wycombe, HP11 1UA.

25^th April 1pm-2.30pm
The Kings Centre, Desborough Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2PU.

2^nd May 1pm-2.30pm
The Chalfont St Peter Community Centre, Gerrards Cross, SL9 9QX

For more information contact 01494 734554 or email bpccadmin@nhs.net

Come along and have your say.

Notes for editors:

The Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group (Formerly Bucks Primary Care Collaborative) is an association of 33 GP practices in Amersham, Wycombe, and across South Buckinghamshire, serving a population of 305,000.

The CCCG was established in 2007 as a commissioning, not-for-profit organisation, following the merger of the Primary Care Collaborative (in Wycombe) and Chiltern & South Bucks Collaborative.

http://www.buckspcc.co.uk/

Commissioning involves;

• assessing the health needs of a population 
• taking responsibility for ensuring that appropriate services are available to meet those needs
• being accountable for the associated health outcomes

For all press enquires please contact the Oxford Media Desk
01865 334640
media.office@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk

A campaign to raise awareness of chlamydia and the availability of screening services for young people has launched today in Buckinghamshire.

NHS Buckinghamshire is running the six-week long campaign to highlight the availability and ease of testing services from GPs and pharmacies, with the aim of encouraging young people to make regular testing part of their healthcare routine.

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK, being most common in people under 25. It affects both men and women, and most people have no symptoms so will not know they have it without getting tested.

If left untreated it can lead to serious long-term problems and cause pain, especially in the abdomen, and may lead to male and female infertility. However, Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics and the test is quick, easy and completely confidential.

Jenny Kent, Public Health Practitioner for NHS Buckinghamshire said: “Many young people may be unaware of just how easy it is to be tested and treated for chlamydia. GPs and many pharmacies offer free test kits to under 25s, which they can complete themselves and put in the post to go back to a lab for analysis. The service will then let them know, discreetly, the result of the test.

“The aim of this campaign is to highlight how simple testing is to do, and to encourage people to include regular testing into their usual healthcare routines. The only way to protect against chlamydia and other STIs is to use a condom, but regular testing, and treatment for those who test positive, helps to limit the spread of the infection.”

The new campaign, urging young people to take the test to make sure they are chlamydia free, will run for a 6 week period with adverts on Mix 96 radio and posters throughout Buckinghamshire as well as advertising on Facebook.

Under 25s can pick up a home chlamydia testing kit free from their GP or any participating pharmacy. In addition, for a limited time only they will also receive a free goody bag.

It was a bright sunny day for the good people of Amersham to have their say about better healthcare in the local NHS here in Buckinghamshire.

The 20th March 2012 saw a market stall full of helpful information on the proposed changes to local services at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals.

Our vision is to create a system of health care in Buckinghamshire that puts the patient at the heart, providing people with information to make decisions about their own health and well being and their care.

This event is one of many opportunities to ask questions and have your say. Please come along and help us shape the future of healthcare in Buckinghamshire.

Click here for more information.

http://www.buckinghamshire.nhs.uk/bhib

Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Cluster have been working with dental providers in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to increase their capacity to see new NHS patients.

In conjunction with this Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Cluster are launching a new dental voucher campaign in March, which encourages adults to see a dentist for a free check-up. 

Adults can apply for a voucher for a free dental check-up by contacting 01865 337030 or by emailing their details to smile@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk to check their eligibility.  The voucher must be used before the end of September 2012.

Nicky Wadely, Deputy Head of Primary Care Contracted Services said:  “Finding a NHS dentist in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is easier than you think.  We are keen to encourage people to take up the opportunity for a free check-up by applying for a voucher if they have not seen a dentist in the last two years”.

Jenny Donagy, Consultant in Dental Public Health said: “During a dental check-up your dentist will check the health of your teeth and gums and look for signs of mouth cancer and other problems which are best treated early.  They will give you advice on how to care for your mouth and how to prevent tooth decay and gum problems.  They will also discuss with you any treatment you may need. Children can already have a free check-up and many people may find that they are exempt from patient charges or can get help with health care costs.”

NHS dental treatment does not cost as much as you may think. Depending on your dental problem from April 2012 charges will be £17.50, £48.00 or £209.00 for complex denture, crown or bridge work.

It is easy to find a NHS dentist, please call 01865 337030 or visit NHS Choices http://bit.ly/12kyV0

Joanne Wilson, from NHS Buckinghamshire, took the leap and joined hundreds of runners in Regents Park last weekend to promote the work of the charity No Smoking Day.

Jo trained and practiced as a nurse before joining the PCT as a Public Health Practitioner over three years ago. She is part of the team who oversee all the NHS stop smoking services in Buckinghamshire. Three weeks after beginning her new stop smoking role her father passed away; he died from lung cancer caused by his smoking. 

Jo says:  “Every year in Buckinghamshire around 600 people lose their lives as a direct result of smoking. If you smoke, quitting is the most important thing you can do to improve your health. Unsurprisingly I am passionate about raising awareness of the risks associated with smoking and about the services that are available to help smokers to quit. This year I would urge smokers who want to quit on No Smoking Day to make use the free NHS support in Bucks to help them achieve their aim.”

If you would like to know more about the help that is available you can contact Buckinghamshire NHS Smokefree Support Service on 0845 2707 222 or visit: www.smokescape.org