3 minute read
Patient LocalityGroup
of i ers
Remembrance Sunday as sadly Ihad Covid and couldnt attend. Aprofoundregret for me, though Bill Cawley, my Deputy Mayor, was an excellent civic head in my absence.
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The RBL supported me at my Civic Service, and also at the rededication of the memorial at St Edwards church.
The list of memories will be withme and my family to talk about for many years. Some significant moments were celebrating with awonderful lady on her 103rd birthday, which Ithought would not be beaten, then, Im asked to visit another lady, who at the end of April was 105.
Other events includevisiting children with severe disabilities with Santa and joining in their outdoor party, even if Idid agree to dress as an elf.
Visiting choral events and drama performances, achampionwin by Leek Rugby Club, drumming workshop, dementia groups, and an extremely moving Holocaust memorial event, all have leftmemories in my heart.
The Mayors role is to ensure Leek is represented in other towns via engagement with other Mayors and dignitaries. The Mayors and Chairs of other local towns have been ajoy to know and work with. We have had agreat deal of laughter, and also some enlightening debate.
In my final month, Ihad aMayors ball to raise more money for my chosen charities, and atrip to Este, our twin town.
Much of Leek reflects acommunity of givers. Those who have supported me in my role, supported each other in regenerating Leek, and those whoare always giving to others withnoneed for recognition. Ireally thankthose who care for and about others. The Patient Locality Group for Leek & Biddulph has continued to meet throughout the Covid pandemic via the internet facilitated by the Primary Care Network (PCN) staff.
This has enabled patients across the five practices to be appraised of the developments of the PCN and how these help patients to receive support closer to home. The individual Leek Practice Patient Participation Groups are all now meeting again face to face.
In addition to the normal services provided by the practices additional support to individual patients can now be provided by Social Prescribers, Clinical Pharmacists, Occupational Therapists, Dietician, First Contact Physiotherapists, Mental Health Practitioner.
In October 2021 the PCN took over the organisation of the extended access to clinicians which provides additional GP appointments Monday to Friday from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday morning appointments in Leek and Biddulph. These appointments can be accessed via the GP Practice Reception.
The Covid vaccination programme which was so successfully run in Leek & Biddulph by the PCN has ceased as all the practices wished to concentrate on providing the best possible service to patients. Those patients over 75 and those identified as vulnerable will be alerted by NHS and can get their Booster vaccinations at NHS vaccination centres e.g. JCB Cheadle, Milton or Smallthorne, or Walk in Clinics and details of these can be found on the NHS Vaccination website.
One area of concern that has come to light in recent weeks is the shortage of Community Pharmacists which has resulted in some Pharmacies in Leek closing for part of their normal opening hours due to lack of a Qualified Pharmacist to oversee the issue of prescriptions. This has been raised by the Locality Group with the CCG Pharmacy team and we are awaiting feedback.
As can be imagined this is quite inconvenient to patients who go to collect their medication only to find the Pharmacy closed. This highlights the national shortage of health professionals in all disciplines.
The next phase of PCN recruitment is now taking place and they are seeking applicants for the posts, IT & Business Intelligence Officer, three Care Coordinators, Occupational Therapist and Administration Assistant. If you or someone you know may be interested please share and take a look at our new listing in NHS Jobs. For further information please contact Lisa Dulson, PCN Business Manager via e mail lisa.dulson@northstaffsccg.nhs.uk.
