The SouthGlos Post

New figures published today show that over 1,500 people in South Gloucestershire quit smoking last year with the help of NHS South Gloucestershire’s Stop Smoking Service, saving lives from illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease.

Results, revealed by the NHS Information Centre, show that 1,532 smokers successfully quit their habit through their local NHS Stop Smoking Service in 2009-10, exceeding the forecast mark by over 210 people.

June Martin, Head of Stop Smoking Service at NHS South Gloucestershire, said:

“It’s great to know that we have helped so many people to kick the habit. People are four times more likely to quit if they use the NHS Stop Smoking Service. It’s a free service which offers friendly advice and practical support to anyone who wants to quit.”

The positive figures follow-on from the successful launch of Smokefree South West in 2009, which aims to build on the work carried out by local NHS Stop Smoking Service teams to tackle smoking in the region. 13 of the 14 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) across the South West exceeded their targets this in 2009/10.

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Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

A ceremony to mark work starting on site at the new Severnvale children’s locality hub in Patchway took place on Tuesday 10th August.

Councillors were joined by representatives from health and building contractors BAM Construction Limited to turn the first sod at the centre on Rodway Road.

Once complete, South Gloucestershire Council, NHS South Gloucestershire and North Bristol NHS Trust will provide a range of services aimed at children and young people all located under the same roof and in the heart of the community.

South Gloucestershire Council is leading on the development of the locality hub and Cllr Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: “The Severnvale Hub will bring a range of important services under one roof, particularly for children and young people which will make it much easier to get advice, help and care when it is needed. This partnership approach will ensure that our residents can access services when it is convenient to them.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

NHS South Gloucesterhire and South Gloucestershire Council have developed a draft Strategy for Carers in partnership with carer representatives, which is out for public consultation from 1st July 2010 until 31st October 2010.

The Strategy’s vision is that: “By 2018, carers will be universally recognised and valued as being fundamental to strong families and stable communities. Support will be tailored to meet individual needs; enabling carers to maintain a balance between their caring responsibilities and a life outside caring, while enabling the person they support to be a full and equal citizen.”

The Council says: “We want to hear your ideas and priorities which will help shape our plans for the future and we would be grateful if you could complete a short online questionnaire.”

More information and related links:

• Consultation documents and online questionaire (SGC)
• South Gloucestershire Joint Strategy for Carers on Facebook

Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

A new Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) has opened at the Yate West Gate Centre, offering a drop-in service for children and adults to treat a whole range of minor injuries from cuts to sprains, from bites to broken arms.

The Unit, run by NHS South Gloucestershire’s Provider Services Team, is the first dedicated MIU in South Gloucestershire which is open seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

Patients do not need to make an appointment and the new MIU will be open seven days a week: 8.30am – 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

An on-site digital X-ray facility and physiotherapy unit means that the MIU can diagnose and treat a whole range of injuries including sports injuries, falls, minor burns, broken arms and noses, cuts and sprains.

All patients are seen by an Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) or an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) who have a wide experience of dealing with minor injuries and treating children.

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Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

To celebrate the World Cup, NHS South Gloucestershire, NHS Bristol, NHS North Somerset and NHS Bath and North East Somerset have launched a ‘Get your kit sorted and win a PS3′ campaign to encourage young people to get themselves tested for chlamydia.

The initiative is being run in partnership with local radio station Kiss FM.

Chlamydia affects 1 in 12 young people under 25 and is the commonest sexually transmitted infection.

Every 15 – 24 year old in the local area can go to the Kiss FM website at www.totalkiss.com and enter a prize competition draw for the chance to win a Playstation 3 and a FIFA World Cup 2010 game.

Young people can get a free and confidential chlamydia test kit at freetest.me.uk.

Karl Pye, manager of the Avon Chlamydia Screening Programme, said: “The World Cup is a massive event for young people this summer. There will be lots of socialising at World Cup parties and of course lots of drinking, so it’s important that young people get checked out for chlamydia, especially if they are having unprotected sex.”

“Chlamydia is very common amongst young people and can be spread easily from person to person. It often has no obvious symptoms so the only way of knowing if you have it or not is to take the test. The test itself is very simple – just pee in a pot.”

The ‘Get your kit sorted’ competition runs from 11th June to 11th July 2010.

Source: NHS South Gloucestershire