Health and Wellbeing Board

Health and Wellbeing Boards are a central concept in the government’s reform of health and social care which is outlined in the Health and Social Care Bill 2011. The vision is that the Board will act as the main strategy forum for health, social care and public health in the County; bringing together colleagues from the county council, district and borough councils, the NHS, public health and social care.

Coventry and Rugby CCG – explain who they are and what they do

Live well with dementia

Warwickshire residents are being encouraged to keep themselves fit and active in order to help them ‘live well with dementia’, during National Dementia Awareness Week – 19 to 25 May 2013.

As part of Warwickshire’s commitment to supporting people to live well with dementia, Coventry and Warwickshire’s Living Well with Dementia partnership have been working with Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sport, physical activity providers and health professionals across Warwickshire to ensure that, from 19^th May, people with early to mid-stage dementia diagnosis will be able to benefit from the Warwickshire Exercise on Referral Scheme.

Physical activity and keeping active are an important way to maintain independence and live well with dementia.  The Exercise on Referral scheme offers a 12 week personalised programme of physical activity, normally at a leisure centre, at reduced prices. A personalised activity programme will be tailored to the preferences, needs and health condition of the individual and will always be at a level that people can cope with. There are a range of activities that people may be able to participate in, including use of gym based equipment, swimming and tailored walks.

If you or someone you know could benefit from increasing their activity levels, please speak to your GP, Practice Nurse or any healthcare professional about joining the scheme. People with early to mid-stage dementia can come along by themselves or with a carer.

Dr John Linanne, Director of Public Health, Warwickshire said:

“Exercise is a valuable way to enable people with early to mid-stage dementia to maintain their independence and support them to live well with their condition. Being active can particularly help enhance confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and provide opportunities for social interaction.”

Dr Nigel Wood, Warwickshire Dementia Lead said:

“I am delighted that through the Warwickshire Exercise on Referral scheme, health professionals can now refer people with early to mid-stage dementia for a personalised programme of physical activity. Keeping active is a key way to enable people to live well with dementia and promote independence as it provides a range of physical, psychological and social benefits.”

Warwickshire Exercise on Referral scheme is available for people with a range of conditions, including mild to moderate mental health conditions.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Living Well with Dementia portal provides valuable information on dementia. For further details on Exercise on Referral log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/livingwellwithdementia

Stay physically active during mental health week

Get active to improve your mental health

Public Health Warwickshire are highlighting the benefits of physical activity and keeping active during mental health week this week – 13 to 19 May, as one of the five main ways to enhance your mental health and improve wellbeing.

There is a great deal of evidence about the benefits of keeping active as a way to improve mental health and wellbeing. Being physically active can help you to:

• feel good
• have more energy
• meet new people
• reduce stress
• keep your heart ‘strong’ and reduce blood pressure
• manage your weight

Dr John Linanne, Director of Public Health Warwickshire said:

“Keeping active is important for positive mental health and should be built into our everyday lives and become part of our regular routine. Finding an activity which feels right for you and which you enjoy is likely to increase your motivation to continue”.

There are a number of ways to be active, including dance, gardening, doing keep fit videos at home, badminton, martial arts and even taking the stairs instead of the lift. Brisk walking is one way to incorporate physical activity into your day which many people find practical and enjoyable.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, why not try setting yourself a small goal to increase your physical activity? You could try one of the following ideas:

• Use the stairs instead of the lift.
• Go for a walk at lunchtime – alone or with a colleague
• Walk or cycle to work/the shops/when you do the school run
• Get off the bus one stop earlier or park a bit further away and then walk the rest of the way
• Get outside and play an active game with family or friends
• Go to an exercise class and join in the fun
• Walk to someone’s desk instead of calling or emailing

Alternatively, why not try the Exercise on Referral Scheme? This is available for people with mild to moderate mental health issues. So if you are feeling low, stressed, anxious or depressed, please speak to your GP, Practice Nurse or any healthcare professional about joining the scheme. It offers a 12 week personalised programme of physical activity, normally at a leisure centre, at reduced prices. More information can be found at: www.cswsport.org.uk/exercisereferral

New health services group for Coventry and Rugby holds first public meeting

THE first public meeting of the new group in charge of commissioning local health services in Coventry and Rugby was held yesterday.

The meeting of the Coventry and Rugby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) saw key members of the governing body – which is responsible for deciding what services patients need and which hospitals, charities and should provide them – formally introduced to the public.

The CCG, which took on its statutory responsibility in April, covers 77 member practices and a population of 460,000 people across Coventry and Warwickshire,

Yesterday’s forum in Coventry city centre gave members of the public the chance to learn about the role of the governing body and the challenges it faces, as well as pose questions.

The full article can be read on-line at Coventry Telegraph.

Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy Update

The Warwickshire Interim Health and Wellbeing Strategy has now been approved. It offers a way of using our current health and social care services to best effect and puts forward evidence-based measures that all Warwickshire’s major statutory and independent sector bodies can adopt in order to improve the wellbeing of our residents. View this story on Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

 

Tough warnings for NHS 111 services

The board of the NHS England has warned organisations running the new NHS 111 urgent care helpline they must deliver good care – or face penalties.

Just days after it was revealed the service is seen as “fragile”, the NHS board said poor performers could face financial penalties or even have contracts withdrawn.

There have been reports of calls going unanswered and poor advice being given.

However the board did say the service was working well in 90% of England.

Further information can be found at BBC News Online.