Welcome to our final partnership update of 2023!

This month’s update is published on World Aid’s Day, so I wanted to reflect on both the challenging and rewarding work achieved in partnership over the past 12 months and, in particular, our contribution towards achieving zero new transmissions of HIV by 2030.

In Greater Manchester, almost 6,340 people are thought to be living with HIV, with an estimated 5% of people unaware of their status. With many diagnoses taking place at a late stage, routine testing is key.

People aged 16 and over are now tested for HIV in four Greater Manchester NHS Emergency Departments (EDs), when receiving a blood test. MFT implemented routine HIV testing at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) in December 2021, Wythenshawe Hospital in March 2022, and North Manchester General Hospital in September 2022. Salford Care Organisation also began testing in October 2023. This work forms part of a national NHS England initiative to routinely test people, on an opt-out basis, within areas where the prevalence of HIV is highest.

To date, I’m proud to say that GM EDs have helped to deliver over 200,000 HIV tests since December 2021. Through routine ‘opt out’ ED testing, over 70 people have been newly diagnosed with HIV– enabling the majority of those diagnosed to go on to access care, effective treatment, and community support.

It's important to remember that a person living with HIV, if diagnosed early and with the right treatment, can expect a normal life expectancy. The more people we identify means the more people we can help to receive effective treatment and with undetectable viral load, the virus cannot be passed on to others. Routine HIV testing in emergency departments is critical to help Greater Manchester reach their aim of zero new HIV transmissions and zero stigma by 2030.

More information on Greater Manchester HIV ED testing can be found here.

All that’s left to say now is happy holidays to all, whether it's Christmas festivities or taking a well-earned break - I hope you enjoy some time with loved ones and friends and I look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year!

Best wishes,

Paul

Paul Dennett

Chair, Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership Board

Dr Tracey Vell

Tracey, who is Chief Officer of the Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board and Medical Director for Health Innovation Manchester, has worked in general practice for 27 years and in the NHS for more than 30 years.

Tracey persevered to bring primary care providers to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Devolution programme and was Executive Medical Director for primary care for the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. She developed GP Excellence as a peer-based quality improvement and leadership development academy and connected frontline primary care providers to Integrated Care System strategy. Tracey was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours in 2018 for her work.

Councillor Jane Slater

Jane Slater is a Labour Councillor for Stretford and Humphrey Park and the Executive Member for Health and Care on Trafford Council. Her background is in local government and Jane has worked for Manchester City Council for 33 years. Jane is seconded to UNISON as the Deputy Branch Secretary, representing members and negotiating with employers.

Jane’s priorities are about spending time meeting residents and understanding their lives, plus the Trafford health and care workforce, to be able to support Trafford in tackling prevention and delivering the best services.

Greater Manchester’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was launched to stakeholders last week at an event in Manchester.

Co-chair of GMICP and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Paul Dennett, opened the event which featured many residents sharing their experiences of mental health and wellbeing and why good mental wellbeing mattered to them. A panel of residents and mental health professionals discussed the difference the strategy will make.

The five-year strategy ‘Doing Mental Health Differently’ sets out what we will do together as a city-region to improve the mental health of people in Greater Manchester.

To receive the digital pack of resources, including a copy of the strategy, that is being emailed to attendees and invitees, please email gm.mentalwellbeing@nhs.net

The festive period is often associated with excitement and joy, but it can also be a difficult time, with many people feeling the strain mentally, emotionally, physically and financially. There are also lots of places to go for advice and support.

Greater Manchester residents have free access to online mental health and wellbeing support from the following providers:

• SilverCloud (16 years+) Instant access to confidential and secure self-help programmes on areas including stress, sleeping better and building resilience.
• Living Life to the Full Online courses to help improve low mood, overcome stress, sleep better and build confidence – with resources available in 18 languages.
• Kooth (ages 10 to 25) Support available includes live chat or messaging with qualified mental health professionals and self-help tools and activities.
• Qwell (26years+) Free, safe and anonymous professional support online.

Free mental health crisis helplines in Greater Manchester – available 24/7 to anyone of any age:

• Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford & Wigan 0800 953 0285 (freephone)
• Bury, Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside & Glossop 0800 014 9995 (freephone)

Other resources:

• Shining a Light on Suicide - Help, advice and support whether you’re feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide.
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK - Confidential suicide prevention advice for young people. Call 0800 068 4141 or pat@papyrus-uk. Open 9am–midnight every day of the year.
• Greater Manchester Bereavement Service - For anyone living or working in Greater Manchester who has been bereaved or affected by a death by whatever cause, no matter how long ago.

NHS Greater Manchester’s ‘Flu ‘Snot Funny’ campaign continues this month with the release of a series of short videos filmed in a local primary school. The children talk about how poorly flu can make you feel and why it’s important to have the vaccine. You can watch all of the videos on our YouTube.

The aim of the videos is to engage and inform parents/carers of the benefits of the flu vaccine for their family, create a social norm around the annual nasal spray flu vaccine in schools, and reach out to those who may be turned off by more traditional NHS communications. You can support the campaign by sharing the videos on your social media accounts. Download the videos and social media pack here.

It’s National Grief Awareness Week (2 - 8 December), and an opportunity for us to raise awareness of the impact of grief and bereavement and the support available to those affected via the Greater Manchester Bereavement Service.

Grief can be overwhelming, but connecting with people with similar experiences can help some people cope, whether it's through a local support group or an online one. There are lots events happening in Greater Manchester for you to join or share with others.

The way repeat prescriptions are ordered is changing. Soon all patients (who are able to do so) will be able to request their own medication directly from their GP practice – instead of their local pharmacy doing this for them.

Ordering online is the safest and easiest way to order regular medicines, whether it is via the NHS App, or another online platform used by a patient’s GP practice. The NHS App can be downloaded for free to a mobile phone via the Apple App Store or Google Play.

NHS Greater Manchester has produced two videos to help patients start using the NHS App. The first is a step by step user guide and the second features a GP, pharmacist and patients talking about their experiences of using the app.

Patients who are not able to order online will still be able to fill in the slip at the bottom of their paper prescription and take it to their GP practice. GP practices, pharmacies and carers will work together to support patients who may struggle to order their own prescriptions and find an approach that best meets their needs.

The date when these changes come into effect will vary between GP practices. Practices will inform patients at least 12 weeks in advance.

Last Thursday was Carers Rights Day (23 November), a day all about empowering carers with information and support.

Whether someone has recently become a carer, realised they have been caring for a while without support, or has been caring for someone for many years, it’s important they understand their rights and access support.

Your rights, right now

• You have the right to request flexible working
• You can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record
• You can have a free flu jab.
• If you look after an older or disabled person, the Equality Act 2010 protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities
• Many carers find it easier to continue in their caring role if they can get some assistance. If you need support, you can have a carer’s assessment.
• If the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with you, where possible.
• Under the Carers Leave Act 2023, carers now get five days extra unpaid leave a year.

The second phase of the ‘Who’s Who at Your GP Practice’ campaign from NHS Greater Manchester has now been launched and features more health and care professionals from GP practices across the city region – including a Mental Health Practitioner, Acute Service Paramedic and Care Navigator. Once again, a number of videos have been produced to explain the roles and how they can help and support patients.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the new roles that now form part of many multi-disciplinary GP practice teams, thanks to the national ARRS (Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme).

Services in GP practices and the community are being transformed to make it easier for patients to access a wider range of help from general practice, closer to home - by phone or online. The GP practice team has expanded to include a wide range of healthcare professionals who work alongside GPs and nurses to ensure patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible. Over 1600 staff have now been recruited to the new roles and they have already made a real impact delivering care to patients in general practice and in the community.

The campaign toolkit contains resources including social media graphics, accompanying messages, visuals for display screens and posters. You can support the campaign by posting on your social media channels and sharing with your partners.