1. New podcasts place health and social care under the spotlight 

Health and social care staff in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) who work on integrated care, helping improve the lives of their patients in the area now have their first ever podcast.

Over 70,000 people work in health and social care and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) has created a series of podcasts highlighting some of the great work taking place across the area.

Recorded at Leicester’s well-established EAVA FM studios and fronted by well-known East Midlands presenter Geeta Pendse, the podcasts are believed to be the first for an integrated care board.

The podcast series includes features on supporting frail or older patients who have suffered from falls; young people who have been victims of violent crime and virtual wards – caring for people in their own home.

The podcasts will be released on a weekly basis every Friday from 3 March and can be found on the LLR Health and Wellbeing Partnership website:   https://leicesterleicestershireandrutlandhwp.uk/news/podcasts/

Podcast one will feature the Integrated Care Board’s Chair David Sissling as well as an interview with DHU Healthcare clinical service lead Gary Bonser talking about the urgent falls service in the area.

Then we hear about partnership work keeping care home residents safe as well as how services are combined to help young victims of violent crime. 

The focus of the second episode which will be available next Friday (10 March), will be winter pressures in the area, Covid vaccine hesitancy and an insight into the cancer screening service. 

In episode three the spotlight will be on virtual wards for patients with heart and lung disease, neighbourhood teams who support people with mental health needs and also a focus on how skin cancer checks are happening in the community, reducing the need for patients to make a trip to a hospital.

To find out more visit https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/new-podcasts-place-health-and-social-care-under-the-spotlight/. 

2. Get in the know about getting urgent help during industrial action 

People in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being encouraged to use NHS 111 online when they have an urgent medical need, in the latest phase of the Get in the Know campaign. The campaign advises patients to use NHS 111 online before travelling to other services to help them get the right care as quickly as possible.

The next phase of industrial action is by three trade unions at the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).  Action will cover the period Monday 6 March from midnight to 7pm Wednesday 8 March.  More industrial action is planned by some unions throughout March. The NHS is particularly keen that people know what to do when it’s urgent, to ensure they are treated in the right place and help emergency services care for people with life threatening needs, during what will be an extremely busy period.

As we head towards the weekend, the NHS remains open, and people are also asked not to store up their health conditions or soldier on if they become unwell or injured – seek early advice from your local pharmacist or NHS111 Online.

There will be fewer ambulances on the roads during industrial action, with the NHS prioritising those with life-threatening needs. Therefore, patients whose condition is not life-threatening are unlikely to get an ambulance on strike days.

It is important that the public use services wisely; to allow ambulances, with life-saving equipment and clinicians on board, to be sent to people who really need them.

To ensure you get the right care as quickly as possible people, NHS 111 online offers a fast and convenient solution to your urgent health problem.

Available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week they can:

• tell you where to get help for your symptoms;
• direct you to urgent care services, GPs, pharmacies, emergency dental services, or other more appropriate local services – and book you an appointment or provide an arrival time;
• direct you to where you can get emergency supplies of your prescribed medicines; and
• provide general health information and advice.

If you have access to a computer or smartphone visit NHS111 Online at 111.nhs.uk. If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, or for children under 5, you can call NHS 111 instead. If you have hearing loss, are deaf or have difficulties communicating you can also access NHS 111 by textphone on 18001 111 and British Sign Language (BSL) users can use the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service.

For life-threatening illnesses or injuries, people should always dial 999.

Further information on the industrial action is available at:  www.emas.nhs.uk. 

Click here to find out more information about the ‘Get in the Know’.

To read our full news report visit, https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/get-in-the-know-about-getting-urgent-help/.

3. Get ready for Ramadan at city health event tomorrow

4. International Women’s Day

This years International Women’s Day (IWD) will be held on Wednesday 8 March 2023.

This year’s theme is ‘Embrace Equity’, and the campaign theme aims to get people talking about why equal opportunities aren’t enough.

This year the NHS is holding an IWD event to celebrate and highlight work underway to progress gender equality and make a positive difference for women working in health and care. 

The virtual event is open to all women working across health and care and will be held on Wednesday 8 March between 10am to 12pm. Click here to find out more and to register.

Follow our social media accounts to see what we’re doing in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on IWD:

Facebook: @NHS_LLR
Twitter: @NHS_LLR
Instagram: nhs_llr

5. New website ‘Be Body Positive’ set to launch next week

In recognition of Eating Disorder Awareness Week (27 February – 5 March), we’d like to share an exciting new website, Be Body Positive, which will launch on Monday 6 March.

Be Body Positive is the new go-to destination for information and resources on disordered eating, body image and an introduction to feeding/eating disorders.

By visiting the website you'll find:

✓ Evidence-based coping strategies
✓ Stories and experiences
✓ Quizzes and games
✓ And so much more!
 
The content is designed by a team of experts and tested by young people and provides support and guidance to overcome challenges around eating, body image and self-care. 

With resources for parents/carers as well as youth workers, teachers and health professionals,  there is something new to learn for everyone.

You can also follow Be Body Positive on the following social media accounts:

Instagram/TikTok: @bebodypositive_nhs
Twitter: @BBP_NHS
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/be-body-positive

Extra, extra

Local publications

Leicester’s Health, Care and Wellbeing Strategy has been published.

The joint strategy details the aims and ambitions of the city’s Health and Wellbeing Board for the next few years. It takes into consideration the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and what that meant for people living in Leicester.
 
The strategy details how partners across the city will work together to improve the health and wellbeing of people who live, and work, in the city. It will support people be able to get the information they need to make the right choices for them and their families.
 
There are five main priorities:

• Making Leicester the healthiest city it can be
• Promoting positive mental health
• How to give children the best start in life
• Encouraging people to make healthy and sustainable lifestyle choices
• How to age comfortably and confidently

 
You can find the strategy and find out more about the Health and Wellbeing Board here Health and Wellbeing Board (leicester.gov.uk)

• Improving Hinckley community health services -  Survey closes on 8 March 2023. 
• Leicester City Council sexual health services review
• 0-19 Healthy Child Programme procurement consultation