Greater Manchester's health news

Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership sent this bulletin at 18-12-2020 10:53 AM GMT

December news

Sarah Price, interim chief officer of the GMHSC Partnership

Welcome to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership newsletter

First, apologies that you haven’t received a newsletter from us over the last few months.

Our monthly bulletin is now back, and you will be receiving regular editions again.

You don’t need me to tell you what an exceptional time we’ve lived through since the last update. However, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in helping us all cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

The health and care sectors have been pushed to their limits, but we’ve seen staff and volunteers rise to the challenge. The dedication, hard work and sacrifices of everyone supporting those affected by coronavirus has been truly remarkable.

The last year has been one of the most difficult periods in recent history, but we’ve also seen the very best in humanity as people across the world displayed a level of compassion, empathy and concern that is rarely seen at such scale.

You will have undoubtedly seen the first coronavirus vaccinations being given. It’s an exciting development and a huge step towards us being able to return to something resembling normal. However, this is the biggest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and it is going to take time to protect everyone from the virus.

For now, please remember the coronavirus remains in circulation and we must all continue to take steps to protect each other. Visit our website to find advice and help – including links to a number of organisations offering vital online mental health support.

Best wishes,

Sarah Price,

Interim chief officer of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership

Greater Manchester is taking its hat off for key workers

Julie Hesmondhalgh, known for her role as Hayley Cropper in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, doffs her cap for Greater Manchester's key workers.

Local leaders and celebrities across Greater Manchester are taking their virtual Santa hats off in a social media campaign, launched by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership to thank our key workers for going above and beyond in the past year.

2020 has been a tough year for everyone and it has been the strength and commitment of our key workers; in the NHS, social care, local government, public transport, our supermarkets and many more, that has got us this far.

The hard work is not over, as our health and care services face a challenging Christmas and New Year with increased demand on services and delivery of the coronavirus vaccination.

As a small gesture of thanks, the people of Greater Manchester are being invited to take part in the #HatsOff4KeyWorkers campaign on social media.

To get involved, download and print the image here or here, or simply use a hat of your own, and share a personal message of thanks using the hashtag #HatsOff4KeyWorkers.

Sarah Price, our interim chief officer said: “This year has been difficult for us all, and while we have reached a turning point in our battle with the pandemic, there are still tough months ahead. The ongoing dedication and sacrifice of our key workers in Greater Manchester has been nothing short of remarkable.

“We will be forever indebted to those who have stepped forward and how we recognise their contribution once this is over is going to be really important. In the meantime, this campaign is a small gesture of thanks which everyone can get involved with – to take a moment and take their hats off in recognition of our key workers.”

As the nights draw in and the weather takes a turn for the worst there’s no doubt that winter is upon us – and with it comes flu season.

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination, please make sure you’ve had it and have protected yourself and those around you.

Flu can cause severe illness and, in some cases, even death. However, unlike coronavirus, the flu vaccine is already widely available.

The flu vaccine is free for all eligible people from GPs and local pharmacies. Social distancing measures will be in place at vaccination appointments.

If you’re eligible you should have received a text or letter from your GP advising you about the vaccine.

If you have not been contacted or want to check if you are eligible for the vaccine, please contact your GP or pharmacy.

People eligible for a free flu vaccination include: the over 50s, pregnant women, those with certain health conditions, people with a learning disability and children between 2 and 11 years old.

Flu can be especially unpleasant for small children, so it is vital parents and carers get their children protected. The children’s vaccine is given by a quick and painless nasal spray.

Parents of 2-3-year olds need to book an appointment with their GP for the vaccination.

Older children will be receiving the vaccine at school, if they’ve not already had it.

Find out more

Experience Greater Moments: New app to reflect and help lives impacted by dementia

People living with dementia in Greater Manchester and their carers are now being offered a free app that will help people share their experiences of the condition.

Gaining a better understanding of the day-to-day lives of those affected by dementia will help us to improve the current support on offer.

The app, known as Greater Moments, is also seeking out the positive parts of life, looking at the importance of friendships, thoughts, feelings and concerns.

Greater Moments has been developed by Dementia United, Greater Manchester’s programme for dementia.

The app is also a way for people to find support and activities during this challenging time. A variety of organisations are using the new technology to continue their work with people living with dementia, including: Age UK, Lewy Body Society, Arts 4 Dementia and the LGBT Foundation.

The launch of the app comes on the back of Greater Manchester being named one of the top three best places in the world to live for those with dementia by the Global Coalition on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease International, and the Lien Foundation.

Sign up to Greater Moments

Cancer: signs and symptoms

It's important to be aware of any unexplained changes to your body, such as blood in your pee or poo, a lump, persistent bloating or pain that does not go away.

These symptoms are often caused by other, non-cancerous illnesses, but it's important to speak to your GP so they can investigate. Finding cancer early means it's easier to treat.

If your GP suspects cancer, they'll refer you to a specialist.

The specialist will carry out further tests, such as a biopsy or X-ray, and plan any necessary treatment.

How to contact a GP during coronavirus:

visit their website
use the NHS App
call them

All GP surgeries are making sure it's safe for you to attend appointments during the coronavirus pandemic.

Health Care Climate Challenge 2020 - Climate Champion Awards

We are proud to announce that the Partnership has been named a 2020 climate champion by Health Care Without Harm.

Health Care Without Harm is an international nongovernmental organization that works to transform health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability, and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice.

This year the Partnership has received the silver award for both Climate Resilience and Climate Leadership.

As a participant in the Health Care Climate Challenge, we are committed to reducing health care’s own carbon footprint, preparing for the impacts of extreme weather and the shifting burden of disease and educating staff and the public while promoting policies to protect public health from climate change.

Shifting the odds: how we’re helping harmful gamblers

Gambling can be a very serious problem for some people, having a huge impact not only on their finances but ultimately their mental and physical health.

And recently, it’s likely coronavirus restriction will have driven more people towards extreme gambling behaviour.

As with all addictions, it is hard to know the exact numbers of people at risk of harmful gambling.

However, we do know there are between three and five million harmful gamblers across the UK – and there is an urgent need for those who have accepted they have a problem to get specialist help.

Matthew Gaskell, clinical lead at NHS Northern Gambling-Service

Mathew Gaskell, clinical lead at the NHS Northern Gambling Service, has shared details about the work being done in both Greater Manchester, and across the North, to help those for whom gabbling has become a serious problem.

In his blog Mathew describes the Northern Gambling Service, which in March opened its second clinic in Salford.

Mathew also explains the importance of the Shifting the Odds initiative, which is helping GPs and other health care workers better identify and support harmful gamblers.

Read Mathew’s blog

Just think 111 First: When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 by phone on online

If you need urgent care, then NHS 111 can now book you in to be seen quickly and safely in A&E.

If you have an urgent but non life-threatening medical need, make sure you use NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E.

Contacting NHS 111 first will also help the NHS to keep you safe by maintaining social distancing and ensure that you receive the right care in the right place, in a more timely and safe way.

However, you should still dial 999 if you have a life-threatening illness or injury.

NHS 111 is also able to direct patients to, or book an appointment at, Urgent Treatment Centres, GP surgeries, pharmacies, emergency dental services and walk-in clinics.

When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 online or by phone (simply dial 111).