What is Our Somerset? Somerset's Integrated Care System (known as Our Somerset) brings together all the organisations responsible for delivering health and care within our communities.
If we work together, we can intervene faster and earlier to keep people well and offer more joined up care and support for people facing significant challenges.
This newsletter showcases the work being done by teams across Somerset in an integrated and collaborative way to provide high quality services and supporting our people and communities to live healthier lives.
|
|
Welcome to the first monthly edition of Our Somerset, bringing you news and updates from across the Integrated Care System (ICS) in Somerset.
It has now been eighteen months since we formed our Integrated Care System and it seemed like the right time to start to bring together examples of the work underway across the system in one newsletter – the aim is that the newsletter reflects both the challenges we are facing and the opportunities we are creating to benefit patients and colleagues.
Read the full intro here
|
|
|
AI to help South West NHS spot people at risk of emergency admission
In early December, the Today programme visited Somerset to meet and chat with Dr Matthew Dolman, NHS Somerset Clinical Chief Information Officer. Their focus was on the BRAVE AI tool and how this works.
The ambition is to allow clinical teams to become more proactive by helping to identify vulnerable patients who may otherwise go under the radar and putting in place an approach in advance of their health conditions worsening. As we look towards the future of health and care, being able to promote good health and provide preventative care is going to be hugely important both for the patient as well as the clinical teams supporting them.
Due to the success of a pilot in care homes in Somerset, the Artificial Intelligence system will be introduced to GP practices across the South West and rolled out to 30 areas across the region over the next few months.
Read more
|
|
New Yeovil Diagnostic Centre - planning permission granted
The development of a new diagnostic centre in Yeovil has been given planning approval, with building work expected to begin in February.
The modern, state-of-the-art centre, which is planned to open in winter 2024, will sit adjacent to Yeovil Hospital and will deliver over 70,000 diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments every year.
Open seven days a week, it will provide radiology, endoscopy, cardiology and audiology diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments, and will benefit Somerset and West Dorset patients who will receive quicker tests, thanks to the additional capacity the centre will provide.
Read more
|
|
|
Have your say on council budget setting
Somerset Council is launching a public consultation on its budget, offering residents and businesses the chance to have their say as the authority faces a financial emergency.
The consultation is open to everyone and the results will help influence councillors as they look to set a balanced budget in February 2024.
The budget consultation opened on Monday 11 December and will close on Monday 22 January. The link can be found on Budget Consultation 2024/2025 page, or can be completed in libraries and council offices across Somerset.
Read more
|
|
|
Burnham-on-Sea Minor Injury Unit to open 7 days a week
From Friday 1 December, the minor injuries unit (MIU) at Burnham Community Hospital will open seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm (last patient at 5.30pm)
The Minor Injuries Service is provided from seven sites across Somerset, located in Chard, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Frome, Glastonbury, Minehead and Shepton Mallet.
Read more
|
|
|
Somerset Council and the NHS working together to digitise adult social care in Somerset
Somerset Council and NHS Somerset are teaming up to provide funding to care providers who want to go digital by introducing electronic care records which replace paper-based admin systems.
This project is in its second year of running and has already helped over thirty care providers in Somerset to adopt a digital care record system.
Read more
|
|
Help your ambulance service this winter
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is urging communities across the region to use its services responsibly this winter, as it prepares for a challenging period.
The Trust is expecting a winter period of significant and sustained demand across its 999 services – a position that is reflected across other health and care organisations.
NHS Somerset is working extremely hard alongside system partners to keep services running and for people to remain safe.
Read more
|
|
|
Check in on loved ones and neighbours this Christmas
Christmas can be a lonely time of the year for some people, while some have family bringing joy around them, others can be left feeling alone and isolated.
This year, we urge you to check in on loved ones and neighbours who may be alone this festive season. From a simple post of a Christmas card through the letterbox to a knock at the door, share the Christmas cheer.
If you are experiencing feelings of loneliness, it’s important to remember you are not alone. Loneliness is a natural human emotion; we are hardwired to need social connections. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others.
Pick up the phone and reach out to loved ones - and if you're not sure who to turn to then you can always call Mindline. Open 24/7 to lend a listening ear, call 01823 276892 or visit - www.mindinsomerset.org.uk/get-support/
Things you can do to feel less lonely:
- Connect and spend time with people around you.
- Call up a friend or family member for a chat.
- Keep active, try getting outside and enjoying nature.
- Take up a new hobby.
- Volunteer with your local community.
- The smallest act of giving can make a difference.
- Learn a new skill.
- Join a group or club.
- Practice self-care: exercise, sunshine, a healthy diet, quality sleep.
- Focus on the good things in life and remember happy times.
|
|
|
Understanding your numbers - why this matters
Around 1 in 3 adults in Somerset have high blood pressure but around 1 in 10 don't know they do. That equates to around to 40,000 people in Somerset. If your blood pressure is too high, it can put extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs and persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life threatening health conditions.
Most people don't know they have high blood pressure - the symptoms aren't obvious, which is why it's important to get it checked regularly. Early detection and treatment is the key to helping people live longer, healthier lives and this is even easier to do now that blood pressure monitors are available to loan through your local Somerset Library.
For those with high blood pressure, did you know simple lifestyle changes can help reduce this? Your GP can advise you about changes you can make to your lifestyle and discuss whether they think you could benefit from medicine.
Find out more about blood pressure and why your numbers really do matter.
|
|
|
Small changes can make a big difference this winter
While national self-care week took place in November, it's never too late to think about how we live and make small changes that will improve our health and wellbeing.
To support people and communities the NHS in Somerset have put together a list of ten ideas to help inspire people into making small changes which could improve their wellbeing this winter.
Read more
|
|
|
Women's Health Survey re: NHS cancer screening programmes
Nationally and across Somerset, participation in the NHS cancer screening programmes (breast, cervical and bowel) is declining, yet we know early detection improves the likelihood of successful treatment. So, in collaboration with NHS England, we are doing a piece of work to understand why women in Somerset do and don’t take part in the NHS cancer screening programmes.
Please share this survey link with your colleagues and networks. Closing date is Friday 12 January 2024.
https://response.questback.com/nhssomerseticb/womenshealthsurveynhscancerscreening
|
|
|
Somerset Urgent Community Response is here to help
We know given the choice, people would prefer to be treated within their own homes. The NHS team at Somerset Urgent Community Response bring together a wide range of skills including advanced clinical practitioners, district nurses, physiotherapists who can assess and treat your urgent healthcare needs and pharmacy technicians, who can review and help you understand your medication.
We don't just treat the symptoms but we will carry out an assessment to understand why you have become unwell. Where necessary we will refer you onto other health and social care service for help to try and prevent a crisis in your healthcare happening again.
If you or someone you care for may benefit from using this service, when you speak to your GP, 111 or 999 ask for the Somerset Urgent Community Response.
Read more
|
|
|
Protect your youngsters from flu this winter
Parents and carers of 2-3 year olds can book their children in for a free flu vaccination. The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2023, all primary school aged children, secondary school children and children from the age of 6 months with certain long term health conditions. It is quick, painless and has an excellent safety record.
Read more
|
|
Spark Somerset wins the 2023 ISPA Digital Inclusion Award!
The award recognises the best-efforts to bridge the digital divide and help people to stay or become connected.
The Spark iT digital inclusion initiative has helped over 2,000 local residents to get online. Since the projects inception in 2021 and by working in partnership with dozens of incredible organisations they are now close to providing 95% of residents with a regular digital support event within five miles from their home
Read more
|
|
|
Bridgwater and Taunton College honoured with Queen's Anniversary prize
In November the college was awarded with a Queen's Anniversary prize for Education, an award which recognises the college's commitment to addressing the critical workforce challenges faced by the NHS in Somerset.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prize, run by the Royal Anniversary Trust, honours institutions that showcase excellence, innovation, and significant public benefit in the sphere of UK education. BTC’s recognition is a testament to its pivotal role in steering healthcare education and workforce solutions in the right direction.
Read more
|
|
|
Celebrating Long Service
Marian Britton and Michelle Chandler are celebrating 83 years' collective service at Wincanton Hospital - both beginning their careers back in the 1980s!
They were recently presented with flowers by matron Tania Collin and sister Jan Henville, recognising their unwavering commitment and dedication. Thank you both!
Read more
|
|
|
Somerset young people in care win award for their work on homes for children
Young people from Somerset in Care Councils (SiCC) and Somerset Leaving Care Councils (SLCC) were presented with an award from A National Voice .
Winning the ‘Collaboration’ category, the award recognised the efforts of young people on the Homes and Horizons project, a partnership between Somerset Council, Shaw Trust, and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to develop 10 homes for children, 2 therapeutic schools and a therapeutic fostering service.
Read more
|
|
|
|
Four Somerset charities have won the King's Award for Voluntary Service
The award, which is equivalent to an MBE for individuals is given to voluntary groups in the UK, recognising outstanding work done by charities.
This year's local recipients are:
- West Somerset Food Cupboard
- Refugee Aid, Taunton
- Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre
- Share and Repair, Bath
Read more
|
|
How the voluntary sector changes lives in Somerset
Spark Somerset is keen to shine a spotlight on the impact local charities have on their communities. They have created an inspiring film to showcase how this work has a positive impact on people's lives - it features, Street Volunteer Driver Service, the Hub at Bridgwater and the Kite project.
Groups like these are at the heart of our communities, providing essential support and service to make Somerset a better place to live.
Read more
|
|
Our rural health hubs supporting our farming communities - spotlight on Frome
Busy and unpredictable schedules, responsibility, and lifestyle are just a handful of the reasons that the farming community are often some of the hardest to reach individuals through traditional health service channels.
As a solution, and part of our mission to ensure healthcare is accessible to all, the Rural Health Hub is an NHS initiative set up to provide convenient drop-in health and wellbeing checks for farmers and other agricultural workers every fortnight.
The idea for the Rural Health Hubs originated in 2017 and the first one opened at Junction 24 in 2018. There are now three clinics operating across Somerset.
Read more
|
|
|
Beyond the bruises - Somerset's new fight against non-physical domestic abuse
A new campaign aims to raise the profile of lesser-known types of domestic abuse and encourage those who may not realise they are being abused to come forward for support and advice. Launched on White Ribbon Day and at the beginning of the worldwide campaign 16 Days of Action - Somerset Council has commissioned 12 short films to shine the spotlight on non-physical types of domestic abuse.
The films direct anyone who is experiencing these forms of abuse to a new website where they can get more support and advice or they can contact the service on: 0800 69 49 999. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing you can register with the emergencySMS service. Text REGISTER to 999.
The films are part of Somerset Council's ongoing commitment to raise awareness of domestic abuse. If you are experiencing any form of domestic abuse, worried about someone you know, or are concerned about the impact of your behaviour towards others, help is available.
Visit Somerset Domestic Abuse for more information
|
|
|
Getting your loved ones home for Christmas
As we approach Christmas, it is more important than ever to focus on getting patients out of hospital and back in the comfort of their own homes.
At Musgrove Park Hospital, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make this happen. To support patients and families they have introduced the use of discharge checklists. This is a list of all the common and essential actions that need to be completed prior to leaving hospital, helping to identify any roadblocks that can delay discharge.
Sometimes it's the little things that can make the biggest difference. Speaking to the patient’s family about the timetable for discharge; ensuring all the paperwork is up to date and physically with the patient, it all helps to get patients back home, surrounded by their loved ones. This approach has had a really positive impact so far - which is amazing!
If your loved one is in hospital and ready to come home, please do speak to the ward team to see if there's anything you can do to help. You could be the difference!
|
|
|
Surgeon at Musgrove Park Hospital performs UK first closure of ileostomy as day surgery
Patients who have received treatment for rectal cancer surgery at Musgrove Park Hospital are now able to have their closure of ileostomy surgery (a small procedure performed when they no longer need a stoma) without a stay in hospital.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is the first trust in England to offer this procedure as a day surgery, with patients able to return home under the care of their acute home treatment team (Hospital at Home).
If patients are then able to recover in the comfort of their own home with everything they need, it means they can get back to normal quicker too without being stuck in hospital.
Read more
|
|
|
NHS Somerset Board confirm preferred option for stroke services in Somerset
On Thursday 30 November, the NHS Somerset Board accepted a recommendation to take forward one preferred option for stroke services in Somerset for more detailed analysis.
Following further evaluation, a final recommendation whether to proceed with this option will be made to the Board in a decision-making business case.
Read more
|
|
|
New procedure to treat patients with an enlarged prostate
Musgrove Park has become the first hospital in the south west to offer patients a new state-of-the-art treatment for an enlarged prostate on the NHS.
The new surgical procedure, called Rezum, is a simple procedure, taking less than 20 minutes in total. It’s usually performed under a brief general anaesthetic, as a day case.
This type of procedure is more comfortable for the patient and has a more rapid recovery compared with more invasive procedures reducing the needed for a stay in hospital to recover.
Read more
|
|
|
Did a friend or colleague forward you this email? You can get your own copy by subscribing to our newsletter.
You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing us through the same address.
If you have news that you would like included in this newsletter, please contact the NHS Somerset Communications Team
Copies of the newsletter can also be found on Our Somerset website here: Our Somerset Newsletter - Our Somerset
|
|
|
|
|
|
