Press Releases

2012

May

8/5/12  Clevedon Community Hospital remains on track

The Board has approved the revised Business Case for Clevedon Community Hospital. This means that the project remains on track with the Business Case now due to be considered by the Board of NHS South of England at their July meeting.
 

April

13/4/12 pdf file Walk-in health services at Weston General Hospital and the Boulevard

We are concerned that some information has been appearing lately that may cause unnecessary confusion or alarm among patients who currently use the GP Led Health Centre at Weston General Hospital and The Boulevard in Weston.

March

28/3/12 pdf file Clevedon Community Hospital remains on track

The Board of the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Cluster has today approved the revised Business Case for Clevedon Community Hospital. This means that the project remains on track with the Business Case now due to be considered by the Board of NHS South of England at their next meeting in May.

13/3/12 pdf file PREGNANCY RATE FALLS FOR UNDER 18’s

The number of under 18 year olds becoming pregnant in North Somerset has dropped, thanks to innovative programmes offering support, advice and help to young people in the area.

13/3/12 pdf file K.O. WESTON’S BIGGEST CIGARETTE

There’ll be no holds barred come next week’s National No Smoking day, when North Somerset sees a heavyweight clash between USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame star Kevin Ludick and a giant cigarette at Weston super Mare’s combat Gym! And while The Big Fight is a piece of No Smoking Day fun, the underlying message is a serious one, said NHS North Somerset Healthy Lifestyle programme manager Fiona Miles.

February

01/12 pdf file NHS CHIEFS WARN AGAINST COMPLACENCY OVER FLU BUG

NHS North Somerset’s Director of Public Health has warned against complacency over this year’s flu figures. With the area in the grip of a cold snap, it is feared flu could still cause high levels of serious illness among elderly and vulnerable people and pregnant women.

January

01/12 pdf file Young People Kicking the Habit

A unique programme which uses the influence of their school mates to help young people reject smoking, is now rolling out in schools across North Somerset with the support of the local NHS, which has helped pilot the scheme on their patch.

01/12 pdf file COMPLACENCY OVER FLU BUG

NHS North Somerset’s Director of Public Health has warned against complacency over this year’s flu figures. With the area in the grip of a cold snap, it is feared flu could still cause high levels of serious illness among elderly and vulnerable people and pregnant women.

December 2011

21/12/11Getting the right treatment over Christmas and New Year 2011

November

11/11/11pdf file Don't forget your flu jab

Don't forget your flu jab.  It will protect you AND it won't make you ill!

07/11/11  pdf file  When did you last have a medicines review?

To ensure you are taking the correct and most effective medication for your condition, you should arrange a review with your GP or pharmacist. It will also help the NHS save money!

7/10/11 pdf file Don’t let seasonal flu catch you!

We are urging anyone entitled to a free flu jab to ensure they book a vaccination appointment as soon as they hear from their GP. Practices across the patch are currently dispatching letters to all patients who fall into an ‘at risk’ category, inviting them in for vaccination. It is not a request anyone in the priority groups should ignore,

September

27/9/11 pdf file Emergency departments are not the place for coughs, colds and minor cuts

This summer’s court case involving a Weston super Mare man who rang 999 to complain about the quality of his KFC meal may seem like an extreme example. But it highlights a serious problem which costs NHS North Somerset thousands of pounds a year. The pct is now launching an autumn campaign appealing to people not to attend the emergency department of Weston Hospital unless they have a genuine medical emergency.

20/9/11 pdf file Review your medication now – your gp and pharmacist are here to help!

When did you last discuss the tablets and medicines you are taking with your GP or pharmacist? Many of us on regular medication simply fill in a repeat prescription form without ever thinking about whether we still need the medicines we are taking or whether a change of prescription is necessary. NHS North Somerset is appealing to patients to talk to their pharmacist or GP about their medication.
 

August

23/08/11 pdf file Popular voluntary project seeks more walk leaders!

If you like being outdoors and appreciate that walking has significant benefits for both physical and mental health, then this FREE accredited walk leader training day is for you.

05/08/11 pdf file North Somerset Community Partnership Community Involvement in our new Social Enterprise

NHS North Somerset Community Services, the arm of NHS North Somerset which provides everything from urgent nursing care in the community to district nurses, children's community care and health visiting, is looking for up to twenty representatives to help them plan and deliver healthcare through the new Community Forum. They can be members of a patient or other voluntary association and they will represent the views and interests of patients and carers living in North Somerset (or any other area we will serve). They will also play a vital role in helping the Social Enterprise to understand the needs of service users, carers and volunteers.

July

01/07/11 pdf file Dementia Awareness Week

A sponsored abseil at Uphill quarry, Weston super Mare and a manned stand at Waitrose in Nailsea to advise anyone worried about their memory, are among activities planned across North Somerset to mark Dementia Awareness Week. (July 4-9)

June

11/06/11 pdf file NHS North Somerset joins forces with North Somerset Council to highlight the needs of carers

NHS North Somerset is using National Carers Week to highlight the impact of caring on the health of the area's estimated 20,000 carers. Carers who provide high levels of care for sick or disabled relatives and friends, unpaid, are more than twice as likely to suffer from poor health compared to people without caring responsibilities, A range of physical and mental health problems often experienced by them include physical strain and stress related illness such as high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.

09/06/11 pdf file Safeguarding vulnerable adults is everyone's business. says new report

North Somerset dealt with 266 referrals expressing concern about the possible abuse of people over the age of 65 between 2010-2011. Of these, 155 were substantiated or partly substantiated. Ninety referrals concerned possible physical abuse; 86, neglect; and 56 focused on financial abuse. The figures have been released to mark World Elder Abuse Day (June 15.)

03/06/11 pdf file North Somerset Community Services Plan Moves Ahead

Plans for North Somerset Community Services to become a Social Enterprise – a Community Interest Company trading as North Somerset Community Partnership – have been assured by the Board of the South West Strategic Health Authority. The proposal, recommended by NHS North Somerset, will allow the Community Interest Company to work for the benefit of the local community, with representatives and partners having a say in how the company is run, and any surpluses being reinvested into local care. This final assurance process means the new organisation will aim to be up and running by 1 October 2011.

01/06/11pdf file Don't let the 'Factor' factor catch you out this summer

NHS North Somerset is appealing to sun lovers to err on the side of caution when buying and applying suntan lotion this summer. With so much confusion currently surrounding advice on the correct SPF factor to use, many sun lovers may purchase a product offering too little protection, says NHS North Somerset Director of Public Health Becky Pollard,

May

30/05/11 pdf file Appointment of Chair and Chief Executive for new Community Services Organisation for North Somerset

NHS North Somerset is pleased to announce the appointment of Delyth Lloyd - Evans as Chairman designate and Penny Brown as Chief Executive Designate of the new Social Enterprise that will provide Community Services to the people of North Somerset.

26/05/11 pdf file   NHS North Somerset to target falling child immunisation figures

Too few children in North Somerset are receiving the immunisations they need to protect them from serious illnesses, say NHS North Somerset. The PCT is launching a high profile awareness campaign in June to alert mothers to the dangers of not having their children vaccinated.

25/05/11 pdf file  Multi Agency bid to cut smoking deaths in North Somerset

Three hundred North Somerset residents are dying unnecessarily each year from smoking-related illnesses, it was revealed at yesterday’s annual Smokefree Alliance conference hosted in Clevedon by NHS North Somerset.

16/05/11 pdf file  NHS North Somerset urges people to think about Dying Matters

We need to talk more about dying, death and bereavement with our families, friends and loved ones. That’s the message underpinning Dying Matters Week.(May 16 – May 20). And NHS North Somerset is urging everyone to mark the week by speaking to friends and loved ones about their own wishes when it comes to the end of their lives.

06/05/11 pdf file  Child nutrition guidelines launched

A multi-agency partnership between NHS North Somerset, North Somerset Council and Weston Area Health Trust today launches a guide to mother and child nutrition in a bid to reduce the numbers of overweight children considered obese when they start school.

March

30/03/11 pdf file  Appointment of Chair and Chief Executive for new community services organisation for North Somerset

NHS North Somerset is pleased to announce the appointment of Delyth Lloyd - Evans as Chairman designate and Penny Brown as Chief Executive Designate of the new Social Enterprise that will provide Community Services to the people of North Somerset.

30/03/11 pdf file  NHS North Somerset scores highly in new staff survey

NHS North Somerset staff are among the most positive and satisfied health service workers in the South West, according to the latest staff survey.

10/03/11 pdf file  NHS North Somerset Commissioner thanks Volunteers

Volunteers in North Somerset have been given an official thank you by Primary Care Trust commissioner, Julie Kell, for their work within PositiveStep, the psychological therapies service for the community in North Somerset.

01/03/11 pdf file  Kick the smoking habit for good with Weston FC

NHS North Somerset is joining forces with Weston FC to help fans kick the habit into touch, as part of the PCT’s National No Smoking Day programme. (March 9).

January

31/01/11 pdf file  Health Pod Makes a Happy Landing In Weston-super-Mare

NHS is building on the success of its new Health Central walk in centre in Weston with the opening of the Health Pod for people living in Bournville, Coronation, Oldmixon and The Potteries. The futuristic looking Pod is an easily transported stand which now pops up at the For All Healthy Living Centre on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. On Wednesdays it is set up at the at the YOU Centre in Oldmixon. Staffed by Health Trainers Jemma Bailey and Sharon Beer, visitors can receive information, advice and practical support to improve their health on issues ranging from healthy eating to quitting cigarettes and exercise.

13/01/11 pdf file  NHS North Somerset advertises for private sector partner to build the new Clevedon Community Hospital

NHS North Somerset was able to confirm today that an advert has been placed in the Official Journal of the European Union inviting companies to tender for the building and maintenance of the new Clevedon Community Hospital.

13/01/11 pdf file  Clevedon Community Hospital revises visiting hours

Visiting hours at Clevedon Community Hospital have been revised to provide patients’ relatives and friends more flexibility. From February 1st 2011 the current visiting hours of 2-3pm and 6-7pm will be changed to 3-5pm and 6.30 – 8pm.

11/01/11 pdf file  ‘Your North Somerset' Event to highlight the work of volunteers

Volunteering is the theme of this year’s “Your North Somerset” event, to be held at the Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare on Sunday January 23.

11/01/11 pdf file  NHS North Somerset receives extra funding to help people leaving hospital

NHS North Somerset is to receive nearly £635,000, part of a £162 million package from the Department of Health to spend on front line services. The money is being made available available to local health and care services to spend this financial year, thanks to a successful efficiency drive, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced.

11/01/11 pdf file  Political X-Factor winning poster announced

The winning poster design for the Political X Factor, which took place in October, has been announced by NHS North Somerset. The poster was designed by eleven year old Bethany Phillips to support the idea of banning smoking in public places as part of ‘Democracy Week’.

03/01/11pdf file  Runaway success of North Somerset walks programme prompts call for more volunteers

The search is on for more volunteers to lead North Somerset’s Health Walks programme. Since its launch in November 2006 more than 3000 people have participated in the programme and its committed bank of 70 volunteer walk leaders needs additional numbers to service this rapidly expanding project.