This month's Afternoon Tea event for carers will take place Monday the 21st of July between 2 and 3.30 pm at 

Parley Place Care Home
300 Christchurch Rd
West Parley
Ferndown
BH22 8SL

Why not join our friendly Social Prescribing team to chat chat, and learn about support and advice available to carers - as well as enjoy a cup or two of tea?  All carers (and cared for) registered with Crane Valley PCN surgeries are welcome!
 
So that we know to expect you, please call or text Rachel on 07462 521670, Kate on 07462 050616 or email cranevalleysocialprescribers@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

Follow this link to download and view a calendar of 2025 Carer Afternoon Tea event dates>>

This UK Armed Forces Day 2025, we're proud to share that all GP Practices in our Network are officially Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accredited—supporting those who’ve served, every step of the way.

At the end of last year, a survey of nearly 5,000 veterans commissioned by the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS England earlier this year found that 98% of primary care networks (PCNs) have at least one veteran-friendly accredited practice, and 62% of GP practices are accredited across England.   Two-thirds of the respondents said knowing their GP practice is veteran-friendly would make them more likely / much more likely to seek medical help.

There’s been a change in how public health services are delivered across Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The previously shared Public Health Dorset service has now been separated, and public health services are now managed by:

• BCP Council – Public Health and Communities Directorate
• Dorset Council – Public Health and Prevention Directorate

This change allows each council to tailor services more closely to the needs of their communities.

For ongoing health and wellbeing news, updates and information, please subscribe to the main council news:

• Dorset Council’s resident’s newsletter
• BCP Council’s resident’s newsletter

As we move into Spring 2025, it’s the perfect time to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination. 

Why not join our local Social Prescribing Team at one of our monthly Carer Afternoon Teas and enjoy a friendly chat or receive useful support and advice?

We meet in the afternoons on the last Monday of each month (except August, when we meet on the Tuesday after the bank holiday).

All carers (and cared for) registered with any surgeries in our network are welcome!

For more information, please call or text Rachel on 07462 521670, Kate on 07462 050616 or email cranevalleysocialprescribers@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

Follow this link to download a copy of our event calendar>>

The Dorset General Practice Alliance have launched a survey asking people in the county how confident they feel about managing their own health, when to self-treat illnesses and the type of information people find useful.  

The Alliance, which represents all general practice surgeries in the county, will use this information to help surgeries better understand the support patients need for feeling well and knowing what to do with minor illnesses.

The survey goes live today, Monday 18 November 2024, which is also the start of National Self Care Week, an awareness week organised by the Self Care Forum. This year, the week focuses on promoting ‘Mind and Body’ self care for ‘communities, families and generations’.

Ian Gall, Patient and Public Lead at the Alliance said, “We want people to know what to do when they feel unwell. This might be managing symptoms of a minor illness at home, coping with a long-term health condition or generally wanting to feel healthier in everyday life. 

“This survey will help general practice surgeries get a sense of what their population needs in the way of support and help them focus their efforts on the right things.

“We would be grateful if local people could complete our short, confidential survey. It should only take about five minutes. All answers are anonymous, and you could help to make a positive difference to healthcare services.”

People will have until 18 January 2025 to give their views to the Alliance.

Follow this link to share your thoughts on self care in Dorset>>

October 18th is World Menopause Day, which is held annually to raise awareness of menopause and to support options to improve health and well-being for women in midlife and beyond. The theme for World Menopause Day 2024 is "Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)".

The UK based International Menopause Society has created an information leaflet on “The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy” – a practice guide to learn more about MHT (traditionally called Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT). Download a copy of the guide here>>

The Society has also developed a website for women to provide reliable information about menopause and mid life women’s health from the world’s leading experts.

Follow this link to visit their website>>

A friend or family member aged 66 or over could be missing out on Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. It provides financial support and they could get additional help such as the Winter Fuel Payment. It gives you extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income or savings or own your own home.

Check eligibility here>>

For more information on how to apply, download this flyer from the Department of Works and Pension>>

We are supporting Wessex Cancer Alliance with their awareness campaign, ‘Know the Signs’. The aim of this campaign is to improve people’s awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but so it is really important to know what signs to look out for and when to seek advice from your GP Practice.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Cancer include:

• A new lump/bump that wasn’t there before
• Sudden, unexplained weight loss
• Blood in your poo or your urine
• Feeling tired all the time
• Breathlessness
• Bloating/swelling
• Changes to your skin

9 times out of 10 your symptoms will not mean you have cancer. It is better to know as early as possible so you can either rule out cancer or get the treatment you need quickly.

For further information and links to advice and support please visit the dedicated Cancer Matters Wessex website using the link below>>

www.cancermatterswessex.nhs.uk/know-the-signs

If you have used a digital health tool or app, like the NHS App or Viso BP@Home and are a resident of Dorset, the NHS wants to hear from you! 

How will your story be used?
Your stories help us raise awareness of these life-changing tools and improve our services. They may be featured on NHS Dorset platforms, shared in communications, and used in marketing to promote our digital services.

To learn more and share your experiences, please follow this link>>

In line with NHS England recommendations, NHS Dorset has asked GP teams across the county to stop prescribing medicine and treatment for 35 minor conditions.  Medications for these conditions are readily available at your local pharmacy or supermarket. 

This will release thousands of hours of clinical time to enable your GP Practice to focus on caring for people with more complex needs, increasing patient access.

Find out more about this by downloading and viewing the patient information leaflet here>>

Or visit the NHS Dorset website:   https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/health/medicines/helpyournhs/

Do you support someone who could not manage without your help due to their disability, mental ill health, frailty, or substance misuse?

If yes, then you are a carer!

As an unpaid carer, taking the first step to ask for help can be overwhelming. It's easy to feel like you don't deserve support, as you're just doing what any loving family member would do. But the reality is that caregiving can quickly become a full-time job. It is stressful and can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed and isolated.

We want unpaid carers to know they are not forgotten and they are not alone. Your GP will support your ongoing medical needs, but additional support services are available to everyone, particularly carers, who face many challenges in their crucial role.

Find your support through Community SWITCH – a groundbreaking initiative developed to enhance local people's overall health and quality of life, including those who care for others.

Visit the Community SWITCH website to find out more>>

Parks in Mind provides fun nature conservation and other outdoor activities in Bournemouth’s beautiful parks and open spaces to deliver health and wellbeing benefits to the people taking part.  Each month the team publishes a programme of activities including fun wildlife conservation, nature-inspired art and craft, wellbeing, and excerise.  

Check out the Parks Foundation website for the latest programme information>>

Or visit their Facebook page for updates.

Did you know that approximately 1.6 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Dorset every year?  We are asking the patients in our network for help to reduce this.

We and the GP Practices in our network want to do all we can to help you with your well-being needs. 

From November 2023 all patients in our network who are over 16 will be able to view notes and health records. This includes notes from GP surgery appointments, test results, medications, and letters we receive from hospitals. These can be viewed online via the NHS App, NHS website, SystmOnline or the Airmid app. If you don't want your record to be available online, please speak with the Reception or Patient Services team at your surgery. For more, please visit our information web page here>>

SAD is a kind of seasonal depression triggered by shorter daylight hours and worsening weather. It impacts one in twenty people every year in the UK. Those who experience SAD often: 

• lose interest in everyday activities or hobbies
• find it hard to stay connected with family and friends
• feel anxious or irritable or struggle to go outside

Sound familiar? Then you could be experiencing SAD.

With the clocks going back this weekend and the sun setting earlier, we want to help you care for yourself or someone else experiencing SAD.  Healthwatch England have helpful information about SAD and how you can manage it on their website here>>

The Crane Valley PCN team are working tirelessly to reach housebound patients and administer their Winter Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines as soon as possible.  However, when our healthcare team visit a housebound patient, they do not offer vaccines to those living with them unless they are also housebound.  We ask those who can to receive them at their GP surgery or local vaccination centre.  Vaccine supplies are limited, as is our healthcare professional’s time.  We must ensure that all eligible housebound patients receive their booster without delays, as they are amongst the most vulnerable.  Thank you for your understanding and patience, and be assured that we are dedicated to doing everything we can to protect our community’s health.

SWAN (South West Advocacy Network) is a leading independent advocacy charity – providing advocacy services throughout the south west and bordering counties since 1999.  SWAN now offers an Advocacy Service across the county of Dorset. 

This integrated adult advocacy service includes statutory and generic advocacy elements including:

• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy  including Safeguarding Advocacy, Litigation Friend and Relevant Persons Representative

• Independent Mental Health Advocacy
• Care Act Advocacy
• General / Generic advocacy
• Continuing Healthcare Advocacy
• Advocacy for parents during care proceedings

• Carers Advocacy

For more information, please follow this link to download and view a leaflet which sets out the advocacy services that they currently offer across Pan Dorset. 

Or visit their website here>>

People who regularly look after a family member or friend can now explore resources to support them using an online tool known as Bridgit.  It's quick and easy way for carers or cared for people  to learn about health conditions, get personal advice and find local events and services.

Brought to you by Dorset Council, Bridgit allows people to explore free well-being, employment, finance and care advice and events, local and national support services and training opportunities. People can also build their own ‘self-care plan’. It’s all available any time of day and without registering first.

While registering as a carer unlocks more support, a listening ear, offers and discounts, we recognise people can be worried about requesting outside help. With Bridgit, people can discover the resources first, then sign up for more support if they choose to, and this can include an online carer’s assessment.

Designed by carers and care experts, Bridgit resources are tailored to the busy and often stressful lives of people who regularly care for others. It is also designed to be user-friendly, with simple navigation and a clean layout so people can explore comfortably, even with limited digital skills.

Visit www.bridgit.care/support/dorset to access the Bridgit tool.  People who prefer not to, or cannot go online, can call Carer Support Dorset on 0800 368 8349 to discover the free support and help available.

5 July 2023 marks 75 years of the National Health Service. Treating 1.3 million people a day in England, the NHS touches all our lives.  The PCN and the GP Practices in our network are proud to be a small part supporting the people in our local community to obtain, regain and maintain a healthy quality of life. 

Read more about the NHS and how its met the health and wellbeing needs of successive generations>>

More information about this closure is available on our website by following this link>>

The information has been provided by the NHS South West and provides details of how you can nominate a new pharmacy to receive your prescription.

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free programme for those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

 Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest information, news and events.