Primary care latest updates

Help us to develop and improve the Northamptonshire Care Record for all users by completing this short online questionnaire.

We are delighted that the Northamptonshire Care Record (NCR) has been used to access over 20,000 patient records so far since it’s launch in October.

The new system is transforming care in Northamptonshire. Now that you have access to the NCR, please take a few minutes to complete the NCR feedback form. Your feedback is essential to help us identify ways we can improve the NCR. We'd like your feedback on the training (if undertaken), on the system itself, how you feel it benefits you in your role and any suggestions you may have. Completing this form will take approximately 3-5 minutes.

Feedback on your experiences so far are vital in helping us shape the system and make future developments so that you can provide safer and better care for patients.

In case you don’t already know, the NCR is a new digital platform that allows health and care professionals across the county to view up-to-date patient information held by local GPs, Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).

If you need support with access or training please contact northantsicb.northamptonshirecarerecord@nhs.net. More information can also be found at www.connectingyourcare.net.

Read Share your feedback on the Northamptonshire Care Record…

The Academy of Medical Sciences have just launched a funding opportunity for cross-sector experience. As part of the Academy’s Cross-Sector Programme, the Cross-Sector Experience Awards will support individuals to experience different sectors. The award provides up to £100,000 to support individuals who want to gain experience of working in a different sector between three to twelve months, examples include academia, industry, NHS/healthcare, government and policy-based organisations, charities and the private sector. This should be in a sector different to their current role or roles. The academy welcomes applications from those across disciplines and sectors. Applicants’ current work should have a clear link to the improvement of human health. Applicants do not need to work in research to apply, but their work must have a demonstrable link to improving human health

Applications for round one are now open. The deadline for applications is 16:00 on 29 February 2024.

In 2019, the Academy commissioned independent scoping work to assess what could be done to help people connect across sectors. Five key challenges were identified:

• A lack of incentives
• Difficulties in connecting with the right people/organisations
• Little recognition of mobility in career progression appraisals
• Cultural gaps between organisations
• Lack of resource to support engagement and backfill mobile researchers, particularly from the NHS and small businesses.

To address these challenges, the academy first launched the Cross-Sector Programme in 2022. The programme is designed to bring together innovators and researchers from different fields to promote health innovation. It also offers support to overcome the challenges to collaborating across sectors. 

In November 2023, the funded Cross-Sector Experience Awards scheme was launched. In addition to providing the incentives and resources required to work in another sector, this scheme will support individuals to:

• Gain new skills and share skills between different sectors.
• Generate novel ideas and collaborations that could lead to new innovations.

Find out more information about the grant and how to apply here.

Read New Cross Sector Experience Award Grant launched by the Academy of Medical Science…

For all sorts of reasons, the end of a year and the beginning of a new year can bring many challenges. It's a time of year that often puts pressure on us. You may find Christmas stressful because of other events in your life. You may also feel alone or left out because everyone else seems happy when you're not.

Research shows that the Christmas period often brings with it a reported increase in police call-outs for incidents of domestic abuse. Also, whilst the start of the new year brings the hope of a fresh start for many, for others it creates an emotional low period often referred to as the “New Year's blues.” In fact, feelings of depression, anxiety, nervousness and even dread are quite common during the first few weeks of January.

Integrated Care Northamptonshire, in partnership with Citizens Advice, Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service and NHS mental health practitioners, will be hosting two online events as part of our Leadership Matters Conversations series on Tuesday 5 December and Tuesday 30 January to support you and your team over Christmas and New Year. The following topics will be discussed:

Tuesday 5 December 2023 – 10.30am to 12pm

• Depression
• Loneliness
• Domestic Abuse
• Wellbeing tips and further support

Tuesday 30 January 2024 – 10.30am to 12pm

• Managing Stress
• Debt Management
• Domestic Abuse
• Wellbeing tips and further support

You can register to attend the above events by completing this form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO49G-kKekm4NCvdppgeUb8exUNzdYS09NVTI5NDNUN1pMWDQzSVNQNVJBSi4u

The MS Teams calendar invitation(s) will be issued nearer to the date of the event(s).

Read Keeping You and Your Team Safe and Well…

We're excited to launch Your Wellbeing Timetable - a timetabled series of FREE support sessions promoting physical and mental wellbeing, available to health and social care colleagues across the East Midlands.

Consisting of over 250 support sessions each month, Your Wellbeing Timetable delivers a series of workshops, webinars, courses, activities, and dedicated colleague-support cafés; delivering advice, support, and useful information to help keep colleagues healthy, safe and well in all aspects of life.

The timetable is brought to you via a combined support offer from Joined Up Care Derbyshire (JUCD) Wellbeing and Stronger Together, who are collaborating on a suite of solutions to support health and social care staff across the East Midlands, to complement existing local support services.

James Buckley, ICB Head of Wellbeing and Workforce Health Services, said:

"The JUCD Wellbeing Service has revolutionised the health and wellbeing culture within our constituent organisations. Our collaborative approach enables us to join knowledge, resources and skills to establish a person-centred model of sustainable, accessible, and equitable preventative wellbeing support.

Having developed a truly collaborative and integrated service provision to support the health and wellbeing of our collective colleagues across Derbyshire, we're delighted to be collaborating with Stronger Together to deliver our award-winning service and extend the existing wellbeing support available for health and social care colleagues across the East Midlands."

Dr Arabella Kurtz, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Lead for Stronger Together said:

“Stronger Together is a psychology-led support service for health and social care staff in Northamptonshire.

We believe looking after those who look after others is an absolute priority, not an added extra, and we are delighted to collaborate with Joined Up Care Derbyshire in bringing a holistic wellbeing programme to colleagues across the East Midlands.”

The launch of Your Wellbeing Timetable provides a wealth of inclusive wellbeing support to improve the health and wellbeing of the collective workforce. Sessions are

delivered virtually across the timetable and many of the sessions are recorded to support those who are not able to attend at a set time. All support sessions are provided FREE for colleagues, and they are designed to suit all levels and abilities with options and modifications offered to suit.

Listed below is a roundup showcasing some of the incredible support sessions available as part of Your Wellbeing Timetable:

• Short activity sessions, making exercise accessible for all - a series of short 10-minute exercise sessions have been timetabled to encourage colleagues to become physically active. Labelled as 'Exercise Snacks', these short activity bursts help to boost circulation, increase mobility, improve fitness, and build strength
• Healthy Eating and Nutrition - colleagues can manage and maintain a healthy weight by joining a weekly Weight Management Group. This interactive group covers different nutrition related topics each week, including goal setting, portion control, calorie tracking, sugar and snacks, fat loss, and nutrition for Menopause.
  • The Timetable also features nutrition focussed webinars to support gut health, hydration, foods affecting our mood, and nutrition in pregnancy
• Long Covid Facilitated Peer Support - this support group is facilitated by a Clinical Psychologist from Stronger Together, and provides an opportunity for colleagues to meet other staff members who are suffering with long covid symptoms
• Menstrual Health Collective - this monthly support group provides colleagues with a space to learn and gain support with their menstruation cycle. Monthly topics include Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, gynaecological cancers, smear tests, and vaginal health
• Psychological Support - the timetable contains a range of workshops which provide colleagues with helpful techniques to help prioritise wellbeing and support psychological health, including 'Being Kind to Yourself', and 'How to Rest Well'.
  • Additionally, colleagues can access support sessions such as Emotional Freedom Techniques 'Tapping' - an easy to learn evidence-based stress reduction technique, and The Breathing Room, to explore various breathing techniques to help calm, de-stress, detox and re-energise body and mind
• Coping with Loss, Bereavement Support - a monthly group providing coping mechanisms following the loss of a loved one
• Support for colleagues living with a health condition and/or hidden disabilities - delivered through a range of physical activity classes, workshops, training courses and support group and cafés, the timetable delivers a wealth of targeted support for colleagues with disabilities, hidden disabilities, neurodiversity and/or long-term health conditions, helping to promote disability, equality and inclusivity

Click here to view the full wellbeing timetable and book onto sessions now!

Your Wellbeing Timetable will be refreshed each quarter to bring you a wide range of up-to-date services, resources, and information to best meet your health and wellbeing needs.

For more information about the timetable, please contact your local wellbeing team.

Read NEW Wellbeing Timetable Launch…

Strike action from junior doctors is expected to have a serious impact on NHS services across Northamptonshire in the run-up to Christmas and into the new year.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that junior doctors will strike from 7am on Wednesday 20 December until 7am on Saturday 23 December, and then again from 7am on Wednesday 3 January to 7am on Tuesday 9 January.

Local people are being urged to be ready for the impact of the industrial action – which is likely to result in longer waits or delayed treatment – and follow the advice of the NHS to ensure care is available to those who need it most.

Dr Imogen Staveley, Interim Chief Medical Officer for NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Junior doctors are qualified doctors with up to eight years’ experience working in hospitals or up to three years in general practice.

“They make up around half of all doctors in the NHS, so while staff will continue to work hard to provide patients with the best possible care during this latest strike action, there is likely to be a significant impact on local services at a time when the NHS is already under severe pressure.

“During these upcoming periods of industrial action, we will be prioritising emergency care, critical care, acute mental health care, neonatal care, maternity and trauma.

“The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately and take simple steps 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.

“At this time of year when vulnerable people are particularly at risk from ill-health, we also ask that people do what they can to look after loved ones and check in on family members and neighbours.
“We apologise to local people who are impacted by this action and thank them for their continued co-operation, patience and understanding.”

Options available to patients during strike action:

Patients with urgent health concerns
Anyone who needs urgent care (aged five and over) 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 under five, 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. 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 (aged five and over) 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. If you do not have internet access or you are contacting 111 about a patient aged under five, please call 111 instead.

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 Junior doctors’ strikes to seriously impact NHS services in Northamptonshire…