Tamworth Blog

Toothbrushes - Pic: Alex

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust are bringing their dental roadshow to Tamworth this Friday and Saturday (January 22 and 23) to raise awareness of dental practices in Tamworth that are currently taking on NHS patients in the area.

‘Why go Miles for Smile’s’ has been coordinated by the PCT to promote the choice open to Tamworth residents open to new NHS patients, and those which are opening across the area.  Three dental practices in Tamworth are currently accepting new NHS patients, Dosthill Valley Dental Practice (01827 282 237), Stonydelph Dental Practice (01827 897 857) and the new Tamworth House Dental Practice (01827 64743).

Jim Barlow, Head of Primary Care for South Staffordshire PCT, said:

“The perception is that it is very difficult to find a NHS dentist and this is simply not the case. In the Tamworth area we have 3 dental practices taking on new patients immediately.

“Through the campaign a marketing team will be based at Asda Supermarket on Ventura Retail Park, Bonehill, on Friday.”

Tamworth Dental Surgery - Pic: Paulette Francessca Sedgwick

Tamworth Dental Surgery on The Hollies, 25 Albert Road, Tamworth B79 7JS are now accepting NHS and Private patients.

They offer many services including:-

• Emergency out of hours advice service
• Emergency patients seen the same day
• Nervous patients welcome
• Intravenous & Gas/Air sedation
• Wheelchair Access
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Modern Equipment & Techniques
• Tooth Whitening
• Implants
• Oral-test (oral cancer detection)
• Facial Cosmetic Clinic

They open Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 8am – 5.30pm

To register you can call them on 01827 62152

Banner outside the new Dentist Practice

A new Dentist Practice is to open in Tamworth Town Centre on Church Street (opposite the Silk Kite).

The new Dental Practice which is an NHS Dental practice will be run by Rodericks Dental Practices.

More information on the new Dental Practice at Tamworth House can be found online here.

Whilst no date has been set for the practice’s opening, they are taking registrations for new patients online, you can register for the newest NHS Dentist in Tamworth here.

The Midlands Air Ambulance parked on Lichfield Road

Monday (October 26) mornings rush hour saw the Midlands Air Ambulance land on the Lichfield Road after being called to an incident at a Lichfield Road business after a man believed to be in his 40’s fell approximately 12 feet to the floor.

A Rapid Response Vehicle and the Midlands Air Ambulance attended the scene, where the man was treated for his injuries before being air lifted to Heartlands Hospital.

The man was treated on the scene for Back and Abdominal pain before being transferred to hospital.  There is no further news at this time on his condition.

Break the Chain

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust have launched their ‘Break the Chain’ campaign which is aimed at reducing the transfer of infection and viruses to patients throughout the region.

The ‘Break the Chain’ campaign was launched during National Infection Prevention and Control week, last week (October 19 through 23) and aims to reduce preventable infections by improving amongst other things, the hand hygiene of health workers, visitors and staff.

As part of the campaign the PCT will improve Sir Robert Peel Hospital to promote and highlight the importance of clean hands within the Hospital.  New Hand Sanitisers will be placed in the main entrance and all waiting rooms, along with posters and literature educating visitors and staff about the need to sanitize using the alcohol rubs.

Carrie Felgate, PCT Provider Services Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, said:

“We now have a great opportunity to put our own stamp on infection prevention and control through Break the Chain campaign.

“By reminding our healthcare workers to Break the Chain of infection, we can prevent the spread of infection and diseases and help tackle healthcare associated infections.”

The introduction of this scheme has also led to recognition from Health Minister Ann Keen who said:

“I would like to congratulate South Staffordshire PCT Provider Services on the fantastic work they have done to help drive down infection rates in South Staffordshire.

“England now has the most sophisticated monitoring system in the world, which has helped reduce MRSA infections by over 70% and C. difficile infections by over 30%.

“The hard work of NHS staff, together with our strategy for reducing infection, are continuing to deliver real improvements in clean, safe care for patients.”

Hand sanitization is important to reduce infections like MRSA which are preventable within the hospital environment, this scheme aims to drive down infections even further.

Asda Tamworth

Asda Tamworth has become South Staffordshire Primary Care Trusts latest Antiviral Collection Point for Swine flu treatments.

Patients in Tamworth who are diagnosed with Swine Flu in Tamworth may find their medication being made at Asda Tamworth on Ventura Park.

John Wicks, Flu Director for South Staffordshire PCT said:

“As we enter the flu season we continue to monitor our response to Swine Flu cases and feel that it is appropriate to ensure that centres are accessible across the South Staffordshire area.

“We would urge patients to ask a relative, neighbour of friend to be their ‘flu friend’ – someone who would collect medication from the ACP on their behalf.

“For most swine flu is a mild illness and people should start to feel better after a few days without needing to visit your GP or A&E department.”

It is stressed though that if you are diagnosed to have Swine Flu that you should first contact the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 or the National Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100.  The National Flu Service will ascertain if you have Swine Flu, if you do they will issue with a number that a “Flu Friend” can use to pick up your treatment.  IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE SWINE FLU YOU SHOULD STAY AT HOME.

The new Antiviral collection Point at Asda is open 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday

Defibrilator Sign showing their locations

It is hoped that new signs showing where Defibrillators are located will help save lives throughout Tamworth and the Midlands.

West Midlands Ambulance Service have been developing this unique project to help the public identify where public access defibrillators are located after Duncan Parsonage came up with the idea two years ago.

Duncan, WMAS Community Response Manager for South Staffordshire has been working hard on seeing his idea rolled out throughout the region including Tamworth.

Every year some 850,000 adults suffer a cardiac arrest, ninety percent of these can be corrected by defibrillation. Every minute that passes, the patients chances of survival are reduced by 10%.  It is hoped that by identifying the location of the 1,900 defibrillators in the region will save some lives.

Talking of his project, Duncan said:

“Whilst working out in the community I became increasing aware that a number of organisations hold public access defibrillators, however, the community were unaware of their location.

“The simple idea of displaying a sign on all premises that hold defibrillators will help the public easily identify where they can access this life saving piece of equipment, should the need ever arise.”

The Ambulance Service is currently appealing to any organisations who hold defibrillators but are not aware if they are on the database or have no identification signage to contact them via email or by contacting Duncan Parsonage on 07793 040 321.

The service is also on the look out for more busy public places or organisations that are willing to install defibrillators. Anyone interested in hosting a defibrillator can find out more information by contacting Duncan on the above number.

Lifestyle Services

The Lifestyle Services provided by South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust are being expanded to offer more Tamworth residents the chance to kick start a new healthier life style.

The 35 strong team which was introduced in March 2009 already offer advice and encouragement on a one to one or group level basis to help people to look at their lifestyle, working on a step-by-step basis to make changes that fit the individual, their lifestyle and keep them motivated.

Pauline Evans, Acting Lifestyle Service Manager, South Staffordshire PCT said:

“Living a hectic life in a modern world often means you are snacking or eating fast food, struggling to find time to be more active, smoking and regularly drinking more alcohol than you know is good for you.

“This can cause life threatening diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

“Eating healthily, drinking less alcohol, quitting smoking and doing just a small amount of activity, that fits your busy life, will help you to look and feel better, give you more energy, reduce your stress levels and put you in control of your life – as well as help you to live a longer and healthier life.

“We all know that these life changes seem difficult to make, but they don’t have to be – which is why the PCT is offering you a Life Style Advisor, free of charge.”

The team are now taking referrals directly from patients and the public, as well as from their GPs.

To find out more about the Lifestyle Service call 01827 306190 or visit the PCT website or visit your GP and ask for a referral to your Lifestyle Advisor – and take the first step towards a healthier life and living longer.

Janine McKinght who has been nominated for award

A popular Tamworth Health Visitor has been short listed for the inaugural “Individual Excellence Award”.  Janine McKnight, who has been a health visitor for the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust for 9 years has also pioneered a premature baby community support scheme.

Janine said of her nomination:

“I’m really delighted to have been put forward for this award. It was a complete shock.

“I’ve worked in the NHS for the last 32 years and absolutely love my job, working with clients on a one-to-one basis and helping them and their families is something that I really enjoy.

“No two days are the same in health visiting, my day can vary from clinical duties right through to project development. Having the ability and creativity to make a difference to people’s lives brings out the best in me as a clinician.”

The Patients Choice – Quality and Excellence awards were launched by the Trust in April this year.  Since then they have received over 100 nominations from patients and the public.  The nominations are for those who have been identified as providing a high quality of care and provide excellent service.  The awards are a way of recognising this.  Janine has got through to the final shortlist and the award will be presented to the winner at the Awards ceremony on September 9 at the Staffordshire County Showground.

The number of cases of Swine Flu in Tamworth is on the increase with cases already reported at Belgrave High School, Woodlands Primary School and St Gabriels RC Primary School.  Maybe you know someone who has been infected by this outbreak.

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust have issued an update to coincide with the governments change from containment to treatment.  The PCT have urged those who suspect that they have Swine Flu to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter flu remedies to help relieve symptoms.

John Wicks, Flu Director for the Primary Care Trust said:

“For most people this is a mild illness and you should start to feel better after a few days without needing to go to your GP or A & E.”

If you start feeling unwell and suspect you have Swine Flu you should:

• Stay at home;
• Check your symptoms on www.nhs.uk if possible;
• Call the Swine Flu Information line on 0800 1513 513 to hear the latest advice;
• If you have taken these steps and are still concerned, call your GP or you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47;
• People should not go to their GP surgery or local accident and emergency department unless advised to do so or if you are seriously ill – because you might spread the illness to other.
• Further information can be found at www.hpa.org.uk or at NHS Direct Online – www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

However, if you are pregnant, over 65,  or have long term conditions such as asthma or diabetes or if the patient is very young, you are urged to talk to your doctor if you think you have Swine Flu.

To protect yourself and your family you can take simple steps like covering your nose when you sneeze, using tissues to blow your nose and disposing of them hygienically, maintaining basic hygiene and cleaning hard surfaces properly.  These should help you stop the spread of the virus.

John Wicks continued:

“There are simple steps that everyone should take now to help prevent catching the flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene:

“Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; using a tissue when possible; disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully; maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people; cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product and making sure your children follow this advice.