The South Glos Post

Residents of South Gloucestershire will benefit from a new NHS dental practice when Phoenix Dental opens a new surgery in Staple Hill on Monday 22nd November, 2010.

The Phoenix Dental Practice on Victoria Street, just off the High Street, is fitted with the latest technology and has three surgeries. Situated in a Victorian house, it has been modernized to the highest standards and caters for all patients including those with a disability, families with children and the elderly. The practice will be open from 9am – 5pm on weekdays as well as some evenings and Saturdays.

“We have five other family NHS practices in the South Gloucestershire area all of which are well established and popular services in their communities. We believe that NHS dentistry should be available to everyone and we are very lucky in South Gloucestershire that the NHS is able to provide this for a large part of the local population,” said dentist and practice owner Paul Drugan.

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Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire’s unique Exercise on Prescription scheme recently reached the South West regional final of the prestigious NHS Health and Social Care Awards for the ‘Success in Partnership’ category.

The Exercise on Prescription scheme was recognised for its excellent partnership work between a number of organisations including South Gloucestershire Council, NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Leisure Trust.

The Exercise on Prescription scheme offers a wide range of activities to adults who have a health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, depression, respiratory and heart disease, who would benefit from increased physical activity or other weight management treatment. Patients who meet the criteria are referred on to the scheme by their GP or other health professional.

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Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

A ceremony to mark work starting on site at the new Kingswood Children’s Locality Hub has taken place.

Councillors were joined by representatives from health and building contractors Wates to turn the first sod at the site, which is located behind the civic centre on Alma 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.

These include education welfare, educational psychologists, family and parenting support workers, social workers, maternity services, school nurses, health visitors, some therapists and community paediatricians. The South Gloucestershire child and adolescent mental health service will also be based in the building.

South Gloucestershire Council is leading on the development of the locality hub and Cllr John Calway, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “The Kingswood Hub will bring a range of vital services for children and young people and their families under one roof, making it much easier to get targeted 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

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