Ask a question at the live online Hospital Trust AGM 

Members of the public are invited to a live broadcast of the annual general meeting of the Board of Southport  and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.

It will be available to watch online from 10am on Wednesday 8 September. Attendance by members of the public in person is not possible due to hospital Covid-19 restrictions.

However, questions to the Board may be submitted in advance. They must be received by the Company Secretary at least 48 hours ahead of the meeting.

Email them to [email protected] or by mail to: Company Secretary, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Town Lane, Kew, Southport, PR8 6PN.

This link to join the meeting on the day can also be found on the board meetings page of the site.

Observers can join at any time.

Hospital boxes clever to cut lost property

Hospital staff have come up with a simple idea to reduce the amount of patient property lost in hospital.

Yellow cardboard personal property boxes are being tested in four areas of Southport hospital – and will be rolled out to the rest of Southport and Ormskirk hospitals if successful.

The boxes followed a shout out for ideas from staff after dentures were among personal items lost by hospital domestic Anne Hooper’s mum when she was a patient at Southport.

Separately, Sefton Healthwatch had also raised the issue of lost property as a concern from patient families.

Admiral Nurse Hilary Maclaren said the boxes were aimed at patients who were confused or lacked the capacity to care for their own property.

She said:

“This group of patients is most at risk of losing their spectacles, dentures or hearing aids which, as well as being distressing for them, can slow down their recovery and discharge home.

“The best ideas are often the simplest ideas and we hope the yellow box trial shows this is an effective way to reduce lost property.”

Diane Blair, Healthwatch Sefton manager, said:

“We raised feedback with the trust about patients losing their dentures. Without them you cannot talk, eat properly, or smile – all basic things that severely impact on a patient's quality of life, as well as their health and recovery. The introduction of the cardboard personal property box is a really simple way for patients’ property to remain safe and we welcome this innovative initiative.”

The picture shows Admiral Nurse Hilary Maclaren, left, and ward sister Charlotte Howard

NHS advice for you this bank holiday weekend

Health professionals in Sefton are encouraging residents to contact NHS 111 first if they need urgent medical advice and are highlighting the wide range of support available over the August bank holiday weekend (28-30 August).

People who need urgent health care across Sefton are being encouraged to contact NHS 111, by visiting www.111.nhs.uk or by calling 111 if you do not have access to the internet. NHS 111 is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians, who will direct you to the most appropriate health service. It is fast and simple and the easiest way to be sign posted to the right service that you or a loved one needs. This could be a GP out-of-hours, a walk-in centre or a local pharmacy. In an emergency, you should call 999.

Dr Pete Chamberlain, GP and chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said:

“NHS 111 is there any time to advise you how to safely manage your condition at home, or direct you to the right health service for your needs. This may include a local walk-in centre, GP, pharmacy or hospital. If appropriate, 111 are able to book appointments with GP out-of-hours over the bank holiday weekend too.”

“Remember, in a life-threatening medical emergency such as loss of consciousness, stroke or serious injury, you should always call 999 straight away.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

“The NHS website has a wealth of trusted information and support as well as really helpful guides to some of the most common conditions that people can often treat at home.

In addition, many local pharmacies will be available over the bank holiday weekend to provide advice and support on how to treat some of these conditions. You can also still get your COVID-19 jab over the bank holiday at walk-in vaccination sites.”

For anyone over 16 in need of urgent mental health support as they no longer feel able to cope or be in control of their situation, there is a free 24-hour telephone service on 0800 145 6570. There is also free, confidential, 24/7 text message support for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service, run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you, to take your next steps towards feeling better. For this service text HEAL to 85258.

Litherland Walk-in Centre is open 8 am to 8 pm and is operating a telephone triage and appointment system to keep everyone safe by supporting social distancing. Local residents are advised to book an appointment before visiting the centre by calling 0151 475 4667.

Many local pharmacies are open over the bank holiday weekend and pharmacists can offer expert advice on appropriate treatments for a wide range of conditions affecting adults and children.

The NHS has produced a range of easy to follow online ‘self-help’ guides to common conditions such as indigestion, ear infections, sprains and strains and Mersey Care have developed their own range of self-help guides for a range of physical and mental health conditions. You can also find trusted advice about hundreds of health conditions on NHS.uk and the NHS app which provides secure access to a range of NHS services.

For detailed information on where you can go for your COVID-19 vaccine and information on other health services including pharmacy times over the bank holiday weekend please visit the CCG websites: southseftonccg.nhs.uk  / southportformbyccg.nhs.uk

Information on urgent mental health support can be found via: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/urgent-help and Mersey Care’s range of self-help guides can be found on: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/are-you-a-service-user/self-help-guides

The latest information about Litherland Walk-In Centre can be found at: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/south-sefton/walk-centre-litherland

And a range of helpful self-help videos to common conditions and how to treat them is available at https://bit.ly/SelfCareSefton

You can also check @NHSSSCCG or @NHSSFCCG on Twitter, or ring NHS 111.

Health professionals in Sefton are inviting people to attend their virtual ‘Big Chat’ events in September.

This year sees a return to interactive ‘Big Chat’ style events combined with the NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG annual reviews held virtually. The events build on the success of last year’s virtual Annual General Meetings (AGMs), which were broadcast online due to COVID-19.

As well as looking back at the work of each CCG over the last year, the events will be a chance to get involved and give views during some interactive sessions about future plans for local health and care.
Separate events will be held for each CCG as follows:

NHS South Sefton CCG – Wednesday 8 September (6pm to 8pm)

NHS Southport and Formby CCG – Wednesday 15 September (6pm to 8pm)

Chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, Dr Rob Caudwell, is encouraging anyone with an interest in local health and care to join the event and hear about the important work of the last 12 months, as well as plans for the future. He said:

“We’re pleased to be able to host a Big Chat again this year and we’re hoping that the time of the events and hosting them online will make it easier for some of our residents who haven’t considered attending a Big Chat before to come along, particularly those who have commitments in the day".

Chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, Dr Pete Chamberlain, added:

“These events are an important opportunity to take stock of the challenging and unprecedented times we have been through over the last year, while also looking ahead to the future for local health and care.

We want as many people to join us as possible so please register your interest in advance.”

A full agenda will be shared on the CCG websites and sent to the attendees ahead of the event.

To register your interest in attending and / or to submit questions in advance, please email [email protected] or call 0151 317 8456 before 5pm on Friday 3 September for NHS South Sefton CCG and Friday 10 September for NHS Southport and Formby CCG.

For more information on the events please visit: southportformbyccg.nhs.uk / southseftonccg.nhs.ukuk