Local health and care staff are supporting World Mental Health Day on Sunday October 10.

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma of the conditions people face.

This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.

The pandemic has disjointed our lives over the past 18 months, and things have been tough on many people’s mental health.

Looking after yourself has never been more important.

Silent illnesses such as anxiety, depression, bipolar and stress can be overwhelming and the message is clear – if you are struggling, come forward and be heard.

It can be very challenging to make that first step, but it could change your life.

And NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group says mental health is one of its top priorities.

Dr Faisel Baig, Chair at NHS NLCCG, said: “Parity of esteem describes the need to value mental health equally to physical health.

“People with mental health needs should have the same access to services and support as those with physical health needs.

“Mental health has been a top priority at NLCCG for a number of years.

“Increased presentations of depression and anxiety amongst our population emphasise how important it is that we collaboratively ensure the right support is available for everyone.

“Often, presentations are being linked with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has taken its toll on so many people’s lives over the last 18 months.

“We have a wide range of mental health support services in North Lincolnshire and I would urge those suffering to speak up and seek help.

“These services are designed to help people with all levels of mental health issues, of all ages, and of all backgrounds. Mental health does not discriminate.

“As a North Lincolnshire GP I would remind anyone who may be suffering with their mental health that you are not alone. Professionally trained experts are awaiting your call and ready to help. Please don’t suffer in silence.”

“Please visit NLCCG’s website here for a full list of mental health service support in North Lincolnshire.”

Dr Nav Ahluwalia, Medical Director for Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), said: “As we mark World Mental Health Day please remember that help is always available to support you at your time of mental health need.

“Mental health problems affect approximately one in four people in the UK each year.

“In England one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression in any given week.

“So if you are suffering with your mental health, you are not alone and when you need mental health support please give our experts a call. They are there and waiting to help you.”

There is a range of local support people can access across North Lincolnshire including:

• North Lincs Adult Mental Health Service 0800 015 0211 – wide range of help and support for adults or young people who are in a mental health crisis.
• North Lincs IAPT 01724 867297 – for anyone 18 plus suffering from anxiety, depression, low mood or stress.
• Support for Children and Young People – https://camhs.rdash.nhs.uk/
• Support for families: https://www.northlincs.gov.uk/people-health-and-care/support-for-children-and-families/ – information on general support for families
• Young People Mental Health: https://www.northlincs.gov.uk/people-health-and-care/young-peoples-mental-health/ – information on support available for young people
• Every Mind Matters: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/ – national health information

During these difficult times, our North Lincolnshire General Practice teams are working non-stop, this is despite all the workforce shortages we are facing.  Practices across North Lincolnshire recorded nearly 95,000 appointments during June this year, almost twenty percent higher than the same time two years ago.  Over two-thirds of these appointments were face-to-face.  Our General Practice teams have also spearheaded a hugely successfully coronavirus vaccination programme which has meant we have all been able to return to some normality, and most importantly, many lives have been saved.  Our General Practice teams have not only continued to provide face-to-face consultations within practices but have also staffed other important services.  These include a Community Response Team providing Care Homes and Ambulance services with a rapid response, our local Urgent Treatment Centre and our GP Out of Hours Unit.

Are GP practices open?

GP practices across North Lincolnshire are open and have been throughout the pandemic. GP practices have worked hard to provide a service throughout lockdown and continue to do so. The pandemic is not over. To protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable, we must maintain safe infection control and minimise unnecessary physical contact within practices and that is why the physical environment will seem different to years gone by.

How are practices working now?

Most appointments are being triaged.  This helps keep people safe and makes sure that people are directed to the most appropriate healthcare professional, who may not always be a GP.  Everyone who needs to be seen will be seen, with the most urgent medical needs being addressed as a priority.

What is triage?

You will be assessed to ascertain the next step e.g. you may need:

• to be seen in person
• a phone consultation
• a video consultation
• help from a community pharmacy or another local healthcare team

Why do receptionists ask personal questions?

General Practice reception staff are a vital part of the healthcare team and ask questions in order to direct you to the most appropriate support.  They are skilled in assisting with triage and treat all information confidentially.

I wanted to see my GP, so why am I seeing someone else?

Many GP practices now include a range of professionals (e.g. advanced nurse practitioners) who can diagnose and treat health conditions and consulting them may be more appropriate for you. We want you to speak with the right person as quickly as possible and this may not always be via your usual GP practice.

Where else can I get help?

Visit www.nhs.uk for advice on common symptoms and a list of local services or speak to your community pharmacist first for advice on minor illnesses.  Finding your nearest pharmacy: www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy/

What about emergencies?

Always dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency. If you need help with minor injuries at any time or urgent care when your GP practice or community pharmacy is closed, visit www.111.nhs.uk or dial 111 if you do not have internet access.

Please be patient

All our healthcare services are under enormous pressure, but we are open and here for you if needed. You can help us and help yourself by making sure you get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, appropriate for your needs.  Your GP practice website will provide lots of further information.

Please continue to be kind to our staff, socially distance where possible and wear a face mask in healthcare settings.

These are challenging times for all of us and your patience and support are highly appreciated by your General Practice teams.

Thank you

Some pharmacies will be open on the upcoming August bank holiday.

Please see the table below for further details:

Rota/Specific Area	Bank Holiday	Day	Date	Name	Address	Postcode	Opening Times
Scunthorpe	Summer	Monday	30/08/2021	Lloyds Pharmacy	Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 7DE	10:00 – 16:00
				Morrisons Pharmacy	Lakeside Parkway, Scunthorpe	DN16 3UA	10:00 – 16:00
				Tesco Pharmacy	Gallagher Park, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 8GR	09:00 – 18:00

If symptoms suggest something is more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need – and signpost you to the correct healthcare professional.

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses.

Residents in North Lincolnshire experiencing minor illness or ailments, are being encouraged by their local NHS to speak directly to a community pharmacy online first.

The Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership is running a pilot project across North Lincolnshire initially, to trial online pharmacy consultations. The aim is to encourage patients and their carers to contact a pharmacy first using online consultations, before their GP, for conditions and enquiries that a pharmacy can help with.

Patients can visit northlincspharmacies.nhs.uk and search for their specific problem or medicine. The search results will display self-help material, and if further information is needed, the patient can:

• Contact a local pharmacy directly online at a time to suit, without the need to attend in person.
• Attach relevant photos if needed (for example for cuts, burns, acne and more). The pharmacy will respond and can advise online, or in person if they feel it’s necessary.

Pharmacies will be able to contact the patient online using secure online messaging or video consulting.

Paul Robinson, Chair of Community Pharmacy Humber said: “We’re excited to be piloting this online scheme in our local area and hope that our residents find that it’s useful and saves time. The pilot extends the normal pathways for patients to access advice about their healthcare needs from community pharmacy teams and it will be interesting to see how the public respond to online consultations in community pharmacy.”

Erica Ellerington, Head of Primary Care Transformation, NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Online health care solutions have been vital throughout the pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus. The NHS is looking to continue with online solutions wherever possible. Providing support online from pharmacies is a fantastic next step for creating even more easily accessible local health care.”

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacy teams can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure patients get the help they need. They will advise a patient if they need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.

For further information about this service, please speak to a local pharmacy or visit northlincspharmacies.nhs.uk.

Patients entering GP surgeries across the Humber are being reminded they should continue to wear a face mask and follow social distancing rules.

Covid restrictions will end in most settings in England from Monday, 19 July.

However, as infection rates rise significantly across the region, health bosses in the Humber are reiterating the message that both staff and patients must continue adhering to Public Health England’s infection, prevention and control guidelines to ensure optimum safety. As well as GP surgeries in North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, these rules will apply across other health settings such as hospitals, pharmacies and dental practices.

Dr Faisel Baig, Chair of the NHS Humber Clinical and Professional Leaders Board, said: “COVID-19 is still very much with us.

“Both infection rates and hospital admissions are once again on the rise – with more than 50,000 new cases of the virus being reported each day in the UK. We have also seen sharp rises in each of the four areas of the Humber.

“The delta variant of the virus is highly transmissible and this is why we must continue to act cautiously to slow the spread. Health settings such as GP surgeries are a higher risk environment and it’s so important we all continue to wear a mask, remain socially distant and wash our hands regularly.

“I urge everyone to play their part and think of those more vulnerable than them when visiting their local GP surgery. Acting responsibly will undoubtedly save lives.”

The number of people getting vaccinated continues to rise across the Humber – with the vast majority of adults now having received at least a first dose of protection. A number of special pop-up vaccination clinics will take place across the region over the next fortnight as the local NHS aims to vaccinate as many Humber residents as it possibly can.

And Dr Baig is urging those who have not yet had the vaccination to do so soon: “We can be really proud of our vaccination uptake figures in the Humber,” he said. “I know many people are working hard to ensure a vaccine is as accessible as it can be for every single eligible person.

“Uptake is slightly less amongst our 18-39 year-olds and I would especially urge anyone in this age bracket to come forward and get their vaccination as soon as they can. Vaccinations really have broken the chain between contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill from it.”

For the latest details about walk-in centres or pop-up clinics in your area, please visit: www.northlincolnshireccg.nhs.uk; www.northeastlincolnshireccg.nhs.uk; www.hullccg.nhs.uk and www.eastridingofyorkshireccg.nhs.uk

North Lincolnshire continues to make good progress vaccinating as many people as possible in our communities against coronavirus.

More than 2,000 flyers, detailing important coronavirus vaccination information, have been delivered across central Scunthorpe.

The multi-language leaflets were distributed across both Crosby and Town wards – where vaccination uptake has been high but where NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group aims to increase figures even further.

CCG staff, members of Safecare Network (a federation of North Lincolnshire GPs) and community volunteers came together to spread the word that vaccines save lives.

Pop-up COVID vaccine clinics

Almost 70 coronavirus vaccinations were administered in a special ‘pop-up’ clinic at The Islamic Centre in Scunthorpe on Saturday 3rd April.

The initiative was organised by West Primary Care Network and NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, in a bid to boost uptake in the area’s culturally diverse communities.

More than 90 per cent of all eligible adults over the age of 50, and those above the age of 18 with underlying health conditions, have now received their first dose in North Lincolnshire.

Sayful Ahmed, Imam, said: “We were delighted to get two local GPs into The Islamic Centre and vaccinate 68 people.

“The clinic followed a conversation during Friday prayer and we had the doctors come in to do an awareness session. It gathered really good interest so we worked together to organise a clinic.

“The more people we can get vaccinated the more people feel confident coming to the mosque. It gives everyone that reassurance.”

Dr Rumman Afsar and Dr Abdul Butt teamed up to deliver and administer the vaccines. Dr Afsar said: “Coming into a familiar setting for a community, that accessibility to healthcare is much easier and you find it helps break down any barriers there may be.

“This was a real team effort and I’d like to thank the community leaders who have made this possible. Hopefully we can do more of this moving forward.”

Dozens of North Lincolnshire’s Sikh community received the Covid-19 vaccination at Guru Nanak Gurudwara in Scunthorpe on Sunday 18th April.

Collaborative work between NHS North Lincolnshire CCG and Safecare Network saw a number of the area’s nurses and GPs attend the Temple in Frodingham Road to administer the life-saving jab.

Dr Satpal Shekhawat, Medical Director at NHS North Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Pop-up clinics like this can make a huge difference.

“Coronavirus does not discriminate and we won’t overcome this virus until we are all vaccinated. Working together like this, and bringing services into our communities where there has been slightly lower uptake so far, is really important.”

The CCG is now planning further pop-up clinics in specific communities. If you believe a pop-up vaccination clinic would be helpful in your area, please contact mark.williams21@nhs.net 

A number of pharmacies will be open on the upcoming May bank holidays.

Please see the table below for further details:

Rota/Specific Area	Bank Holiday	Day	Date	Name	Address	Postcode	Opening Times
Scunthorpe	Early May	Monday	03/05/2021	Boots Pharmacy	North Lincolnshire Shopping Park, Doncaster Road	DN15 8TE	10:30 – 16:30
				Boots Pharmacy	43-47 High Street, Scunthorpe	DN15 6SB	10:00 – 16:00
				Lloyds Pharmacy	Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 7DE	10:00 – 16:00
				Morrisons Pharmacy	Lakeside Parkway, Scunthorpe	DN16 3UA	09:00 – 18:00
	Spring Bank	Monday	31/05/2021	Boots Pharmacy	North Lincolnshire Shopping Park, Doncaster Road	DN15 8TE	10:30 – 16:30
				Boots Pharmacy	43-47 High Street, Scunthorpe	DN15 6SB	10:00 – 16:00
				Lloyds Pharmacy	Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 7DE	10:00 – 16:00
				Morrisons Pharmacy	Lakeside Parkway, Scunthorpe	DN16 3UA	09:00 – 18:00

If symptoms suggest something is more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need – and signpost you to the correct healthcare professional.

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses.

Residents of North Lincolnshire are being asked to take the next step safely now restrictions are being eased.

People can now meet in groups of six (or two families) – but this must be outdoors. The Government guidance reiterates the importance of sticking to the rules, in order to stop the spread of the virus.

People can:

• meet outdoors either in a group of six (from any number of households), or in a group of any size from up to two households (each household can include existing support bubbles, if eligible)
• take part in formally organised outdoor sports with any number of people (outdoor sports venues and facilities are able to reopen)
• take part in childcare, and supervised activities are allowed outdoors for all children
• join formally organised parent and child groups outdoors for up to fifteen attendees. Children under five will not be counted in this number.

With the infection rate in North Lincolnshire among the highest in the country, it is vital that people stick to the rules to protect themselves, their families and the community.

Dr Faisel Baig, Chair of NHS North Lincolnshire CCG, and local GP, said:

“We all welcome the relaxing of restrictions, especially being able to meet some of our loved ones outdoors. This does however remain a crucial time in the battle against coronavirus, especially when we consider very high infection rates across parts of Europe.

“We have had a very successful start to our coronavirus vaccination programme in North Lincolnshire and that needs to continue. Please do accept your vaccine invitation when it arrives and have faith in the vaccine regulators, who are advising us to come forward and have any one of the UK vaccines.

“The vaccine is hopefully our way out of this pandemic, but for now, people who have been vaccinated should still continue to follow the same guidance as those who haven’t been vaccinated, to protect others.

“This includes strictly adhering to the national restrictions and following the key messages around Hands (regular and thorough hand hygiene), Face (wearing facemasks where applicable), Space (social distancing) and Fresh Air (meeting outdoors with social distancing), and isolating and arranging a coronavirus test, where appropriate.”

For more information on the national restrictions visit the Government website. Local guidance is available on the North Lincolnshire Council website.

A number of pharmacies will be open on the upcoming Easter Bank Holidays.

Please see the table below for further details:

Rota/Specific Area	Bank Holiday	Day	Date	Name	Address	Postcode	Opening Times
Scunthorpe	Good Friday	Friday	02/04/2021	Boots Pharmacy	11 George Street, Barton Upon Humber	DN18 5ES	08:30 – 18:30
Brigg	Good Friday	Friday	02/04/2021	Boots Pharmacy	Wraby Street, Brigg	DN20 8JH	09:00 – 16:00
Scunthorpe	Good Friday	Friday	02/04/2021	Boots Pharmacy	North Lincolnshire Shopping Park, Doncaster Road	DN15 8TE	08:00 – 00:00
				Weldricks Pharmacy	The Ironstone Centre, West Street, Scunthorpe	DN15 6HX	10:00 – 12:00
				Tesco Pharmacy	Gallagher Park, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 8GR	06:30 – 22:30
				Boots Pharmacy	233-235 Ashby High Street, Scunthorpe	DN16 2SQ	09:00 – 17:00
				Boots Pharmacy	43-47 Highstreet, Scunthorpe	DN15 6SB	08:30 – 17:30
				Lloyds Pharmacy	Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 7DE	10:00 – 16:00
				Morrison’s Pharmacy	Lakeside Parkway, Scunthorpe	DN16 3UA	09:00 – 18:00
	Easter Sunday	Sunday	04/04/2021	Weldricks Pharmacy	The Ironstone Centre, West Street, Scunthorpe	DN15 6HX	10:00 – 12:00
	Easter Monday	Monday	05/04/2021	Boots Pharmacy	North Lincolnshire Shopping Park, Doncaster Road	DN15 8TE	10:30 – 16:30
				Weldricks Pharmacy	The Ironstone Centre, West Street, Scunthorpe	DN15 6HX	10:00 – 12:00
				Tesco Pharmacy	Gallagher Park, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 8GR	09:00 – 18:00
				Boots Pharmacy	43-47 Highstreet, Scunthorpe	DN15 6SB	10:00 – 16:00
				Lloyds Pharmacy	Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe	DN15 7DE	10:00 – 16:00
				Morrison’s Pharmacy	Lakeside Parkway, Scunthorpe	DN16 3UA	10:00 – 16:00

If symptoms suggest something is more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need – and signpost you to the correct healthcare professional.

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses.

A large vaccination centre is set to open in the heart of Scunthorpe.

Each week, thousands of people will be offered vital protection from COVID-19 after the site opens at The Baths Hall, Doncaster Road, on Friday, 19 March.

The centre is being managed by Safecare Network and will eventually see a team of vaccinators administer up to 1,000 jabs a day – as North Lincolnshire bolsters its fight against the pandemic.

The vaccination, which is free, will be offered to those who live within 45 miles of The Baths Hall and will be in the priority order as identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI).

Dr Satpal Shekhawat, Medical Director at NHS North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is brilliant news for North Lincolnshire – and comes following weeks of hard work, planning and strong partnership working with colleagues from across the area.

“The vaccination programme in our region is progressing really well and we are pleased to note that more than 500,000 vaccinations have already been provided to the most vulnerable groups in the Humber, Coast and Vale area. Having another large centre in one of our towns will enable us to reach an even greater number of people as we continually expand our programme.”

Dr Shekhawat added: “I would urge everyone to take up the offer of this free vaccination when you receive your invitation from the NHS. Whatever your background and wherever you live, this vaccine is a life-saver and there are many options for you in terms of where to get your vaccine.

“We not only have the large-scale site but vaccines are also being administered from community pharmacies and GP surgeries too. As a result, it is possible some people will be contacted by multiple sites but please only book one appointment slot, most convenient for you, to ensure available slots elsewhere can be taken up by others. We are focused on getting everyone vaccinated in North Lincolnshire as quickly and as safely as we can.

“Please remember, this will take several months and we politely ask for people to remain patient. Everyone in North Lincolnshire will be offered a vaccination and when it is your turn you will be contacted by the NHS to attend an appointment. Please wait for your appointment letter and don’t turn up at the vaccination centre or ring your GP.”

The site, which will operate between 8am-8pm, seven days a week, will launch with one pod of six vaccinators. It is hoped this will increase to two pods in the coming weeks.

The Baths Hall has been transformed into a large vaccination centre

 

Dr Mubark Jajja, Chair of Safecare Network, said: “We are extremely proud to be playing our part in the national effort to protect people from this virus. We have been living under national restrictions for a year now and so the quicker we get as many people protected, as safely as possible, the quicker we can return to a more normal way of life.

“I want to thank everyone involved in setting up the vaccination centre. We are committed to making sure this site operates seamlessly and that patients receive both a comfortable and convenient service.”

People receiving the letters are invited to go online to the national booking service to arrange a jab at a time and location that is convenient for them. If they are not able to go online, they can call 119 free of charge.

The NHS is vaccinating in line with JCVI guidance which sees people invited to be vaccinated in order of risk, which increases with age. For further information on this order of risk and when you can expect the vaccination, please visit:  www.gov.uk/government/publications/priority-groups-for-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-advice-from-the-jcvi-30-december-2020

People aged between 56 and 59 are currently being invited to book their appointment, with those aged 50-55 due to be invited in the coming weeks.

People can use the national booking service to reserve a slot at a NHS vaccination centre or one of the pharmacy-led services across the country.

Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are being asked not to turn up early to avoid creating queues. Everyone will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.

Alex Seale, Chief Operating Officer at NHS North Lincolnshire CCG, said: “The vaccines are both safe and effective, so if anybody who is eligible but hasn’t been vaccinated yet, I’d urge them to go online or call 119 and get themselves booked in.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in setting up the vaccination centre in North Lincolnshire – in particular our colleagues at North Lincolnshire Council. It shows the power of partnership working and co-operation in the fight against Covid-19 and I am personally very proud of North Lincolnshire’s excellent response since the very start of the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, more than 130 volunteers have come forward to help with the running of the site to undertake duties both inside and outside the venue.

Nicki Chatterton, Chief Operating Officer of Safecare Network, said: “The response from volunteers has been fantastic and this would not be possible without them. We are all keen for patients to have a positive experience.

“Many of the volunteers have helped out at other vaccination centres across North Lincolnshire and have found the experience rewarding and a great way to make a positive contribution during the pandemic.

“The Safecare team has worked amazingly hard behind the scenes and we are really looking forward to vaccinating our population after what has been an incredibly challenging 12 months for us all.”

The North Lincolnshire Alliance Volunteer Hub will continue to recruit volunteers over the next few months. To get involved email alliancevolunteerhub@hwrcc.org.uk

 

Dan Harris, General Manager at The Baths Hall, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to work alongside the NHS and its partners to deliver a large vaccination centre for Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire.

“The Baths Hall is the perfect space, located in the centre of Scunthorpe, for local residents to be able to safely get their vaccinations. The venue and our staff are delighted to be back to work on such a crucial project.”