NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG is a new Clinical Commissioning Group, working towards Authorisation as a statutory body under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The Act puts local GPs and healthcare professionals at the forefront of commissioning services for local people and NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG is a truly clinically-led organisation that has a passion for improving health services and the health of its local population.
 

Highlights

• The three GP Practices met together with Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and representatives of the Primary Care Trust on 25 Janaury 2012
• East Cheshire NHS Trust Board heard an update on progress towards the vision of health and social care economy approach to influencing the improvement of transport. The Board remains committed to the vision. The next update will be March 2012. Senior Clinicans are working with GOs on the future care pathways.

Highlights

• The publication of the Durrow report has resulted in a number of queries being submitted
• The project appeared on the front page of the Knutsford Guardian on the 18/01/12
• Future issues of this bulletin will contain clear, concise evidence from doctors, nurses and other health professionals on how this project will help the integration of healthcare in Knutsford. This evidence will include benefits for the people of Knutsford who may have multiple long-term health conditions
• Cheshire East Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 12/01/12 were given an update on the project and they expressed satisfaction with progress to date.

Highlights

• The awaited report from consultants, Durrow has been recieved. The full report (with confidential commercial matters deleted available
• The report is about a proposal for a new building on the existing Community Hospital site that would start the process of bringing things together under the same roof within existing budgets
• The conclusion of this report is that the existing hospital site is the only credible option for Knutsford
• There is a need to reinforce the positive message by all service providers that improvements to local services can be achieved by integrating care. However, integrated care rasies some difficulties for each partner which must be resolved.

• Knutsford Town Council concluded their listening exercise with a session on Friday 25th November 2011. Over 30 people have presented their views on health and social care development proposed for Knutsford. There was a variety of views presented and the representatives of Knutsford Town Council will report to the full Council to enable it to come to a Town Council view.
• A meeting of the Knutsford Operational Group on 29th November 2011 decided that whilst Durrow (the project consultant) would tell us how to provide a new building, commissioners and provider of services will need to plan how to provide more integrated services within such a new building int he future.
• Attendance at Cheshire East Council's Health and Wellbeing Board on 29th November 2011 where it was agreed that this Board would be the lead authority for this programme.

Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust is currently working hard on plans to ensure that the industrial action causes as little disruption as possible to the quality of patient care and services available. By choosing the right service, you can assist our local hospitals by limiting any unnecessary attendances to Emergency Departments.

You may find more information on the sites of your local Trusts:

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Alternative NHS services available to local residents:

Self-care - is the best choice to treat common illnesses and complaints such as coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains, all of which can often be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest. See NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk

NHS Direct - 0845 4647 – for advice and assistance 24 hours a day http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

GP and GP out of Hours – GP practices and out of hours services will be open for business. Patients can call their GP practice at any time of the day or night if they need urgent medical advice or treatment. If you need to see a doctor outside normal surgery hours, the GP out of hours service in is staffed by experienced, local health professionals who can give useful advice over the phone and direct you to a raft of other services. 

Pharmacy - Your local pharmacist is qualified to treat common, everyday illnesses. Advice is free and many chemists now have consultation rooms where you can speak in private.
Send a text to 647456 to find out the three nearest pharmacies to you.

Highlights

• Knutsford Operational Sub-Group established on 14/11 and the following points were agreed

1. The review will include bed based services. However the number of these, their type and ownership may change   and will depend on the demand from within Knutsford and its surrounding areas.
2. Patients will have the same choice of GP as they currently do.
3. The aim will be to increase the range of services available within Knutsford but this will depend on what efficiencies we can gain from within the scheme and the external tenants that can be attracted.

• Knutsford Town Council Listening Exercise took place on 16/11
• A question and answer section has been added to this issue on page 3

Highlights

Joint workshop of all public sector stakeholders held on 1st November 2011

A paper has been submitted to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cheshire East Council suggesting the public engagement process

General agreement to the next steps in the project development and a paper to go to all relevant boards who (if agreement is reached) will sign the MOU

Highlights

• Meeting with representatives of Knutsford Town Council to agree a listening exercise on Health and Social Care Services
• Positive feedback receieved from the publication of the Project Highlights Issue 1 on 12th October
• Knutsford Guardian runs a front page story on the project development on 26th October 2011