Primary care latest updates

West Northamptonshire Council is offering residents an incredible opportunity to take control of their health with FREE access to Gro Health, a leading NHS-certified weight management programme. Whether you're looking to lose weight, improve your mental wellbeing, or just get on track with a healthier lifestyle, this 12-week programme is here to help you every step of the way.

Here's what’s included:

12 weeks to a healthy weight - Learn the science behind a healthy diet with weekly educational sessions. You'll receive recipes, meal plans, and shopping lists. Plus, you can join face-to-face support groups!

Mental wellbeing support - Managing stress is a crucial part of any health journey. Gro Health offers on-demand resources like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga to help you find your headspace and maintain balance.

One-to-one and group coaching - Get personal support whenever you need it. Speak with an accredited health coach for one-to-one guidance or join our face-to-face group sessions.

To get started, all you have to do is take the following steps:

1. Visit grohealth.com/west-northants
2. Complete the form to check your eligibility.
3. Sign up and choose between face-to-face or digital sessions to begin your journey.
   
   

If you prefer to speak to someone directly you can call 0330 133 0307 (available Monday to Friday between 8:00-18:00) or email support@grohealth.com.

Don’t miss this chance to start your journey to a healthier you with the support of Gro Health. Sign up today!

Read Start your healthy weight journey with Gro Health…

For the attention of all GP surgery staff who use the Pathology laboratory service at Kettering General Hospital:

Are you involved with requesting Pathology tests or receiving Pathology reports?  If so – please could you spare 5 minutes or less to complete this short survey to help improve the service to you and your patients? 

It is important for the continued laboratory accreditation to seek and obtain feedback from users, to show that they are providing a suitable service for patients. All respondents who leave their contact details will be entered into a prize draw to win a home-made cake of their choice (vegan/gluten free options available).

Simply click the link here to complete the GP User Satisfaction survey here.

Read Kettering General Hospital Pathology Laboratory - Pathology GP User Satisfaction Survey 2024…

Northamptonshire Health and Care Careers Academy are working in partnership with LLR and Goal17 to offer some Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Mentor training for colleagues. 

Across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, compassionate individuals are stepping forward to make a real impact. By dedicating just 1 to 2 hours a month, you can join this nationwide network of mentors who play a crucial role in transforming the lives of young care leavers and care experienced young people.

Care leavers and care experienced young people, aged between 16 and 25, have faced significant challenges throughout their lives and as they transition to independent living and adulthood, they encounter unique hurdles—finding stable housing, accessing education, and developing essential life skills. Despite these obstacles, their resilience shines through, and with your help, they can take bold steps toward a brighter future.

As a mentor, you’ll be matched with a young person to provide emotional support, guidance on education and employment, help to set and achieve meaningful goals, encourage self-confidence and independence, and foster a supportive, trusting relationship.

Come and join an inspiring network of peers and change-makers who are dedicated to finding joy and satisfaction in supporting a young person’s journey. You will receive comprehensive, industry-relevant training, including the opportunity to gain a University Certificate.

Learn more about this Department for Education (DfE) funded project at by visiting the Goal17 website.

There are only 12 places available, and a quick response rate is needed. Please email ICN.Academy@nhs.net to register your interest.

Read Care Leavers Mentor Training Opportunity…

As part of the re-procurement process for public health services for children, young people, families, and sexual health, North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) have launched a public consultation. It is essential that as many residents from North Northamptonshire as possible complete this short survey which feeds into the process.

Please can we ask that you take some time to complete the survey and share the link widely with your networks across North Northamptonshire. The more voices heard, the better NNC can tailor their services to meet real community needs

Please note the closing date for this consultation is midnight on 21 August 2024.

If you or anyone you know requires the survey in a different format for accessibility reasons, please contact sara.petty@northnorthants.gov.uk. 

Read Public Health services for children, young people and families, and sexual health survey…

Industrial Action will cause significant pressure on local NHS services. Junior Doctors have planned action from 07:00 on Thursday 27 June 2024 to 07:00 on Tuesday 2 July 2024. Healthcare Assistants, Maternity Support Workers and Theatre Support Workers have planned action from 07:00 on Thursday 27 June 2024 to 07:00 on Saturday 29 June 2024 and 07:00 Monday 1 July to 07:00 on Wednesday 3 July 2024 (two periods of 48hrs).

The NHS is asking the public to play their part during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

Dr Nilesh Sanganee, Interim Chief Medical Officer, Northamptonshire ICB said: “The further strike action being taken by Junior Doctors and Healthcare Assistants will put significant pressure on our hospitals and is likely to cause long waiting times in our Emergency Departments.

“We will be prioritising emergency care, critical care, neonatal care, maternity and trauma. It is highly likely elective or non-emergency work will be significantly impacted.

“Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases, and please attend appointments unless you have been advised otherwise.

"Please help the NHS by choosing services appropriately during this time to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
“We apologise to local people who are impacted by this action and thank them for their continued co-operation, patience and understanding.”

Preparing for industrial action

Please follow these steps to ensure you’re ready ahead of the industrial action period

• If you’re staying in England and are away from home and need a GP appointment for routine treatment, please call your own surgery. And if you need a prescription, they can send it to any pharmacy you choose.
• Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medications. You can easily order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, though your GP practice website or, if you do not have access to GP online services, by calling your GP practice.
• Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit at home or with you. Find out what you need here https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-keep-in-my-first-aid-kit/
   

Options available to patients during strike action with non-life threatening urgent health needs. Patients will still be able to get health support if they have urgent health concerns.

Patients with urgent health concerns
Anyone who needs urgent care should use 111.nhs.uk to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. If needed a healthcare professional will call you back and this option can save you time in waiting areas. If you do not have internet access or you are contacting 111 about a patient aged 5 or under, please call 111 instead.

Corby Urgent Care Centre is open every day between 8am and 8pm and can help with minor injuries/ illnesses such as lacerations, sprains, strains, minor burns or scalds.

GP practices will also continue to be open, including the enhanced access service (out of hours) but are also likely to be extremely busy.

Please continue to contact your GP practice if you need GP services and the out of hours service can be reached via 111.nhs.uk Remember you can also book appointments and order repeat prescriptions online or by using the NHS app.

Patients with minor illnesses and injuries
Your local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. our local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. You can also now get care for a variety of common conditions including middle ear inflammation, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sort throats and UTIs from local pharmacies. They are open late and no appointment is needed.

Patients who need medical help or advice but are unsure where to go
Patients who need medical help or advice but are unsure where to go, should contact NHS 111 online unless it unless it is a life-threatening emergency when you should still call 999.

Patients who have an appointment on strike days
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If they have not contacted you, please attend your appointment.

Patients should continue to call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E , you can visit the NHS UK website.

Read Further NHS Industrial Action will have a serious impact on local NHS services…