1. Spring Covid-19 boosters coming soon

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed

2. Preparing for fasting for a safer Ramadan 

The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Wednesday 22^nd March and end on Friday 21^st April.

To help support local Muslims in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who have diabetes manage their condition safely whilst fasting, the Leicester Diabetes Centre has created a series of resources.

Preparing for fasting can support you to have a safer Ramadan. It is important for people who are living with diabetes to consult their GP practice before Ramadan, to ensure they fast safely.

To have a safer Ramadan, consider whether:

• You will fast this year
• Your medication or insulin/ doses will need to be changed
• You will make some changes to your food choices.
• Physical activity will affect your diabetes during Ramadan.

Click here for more information including a range of resources. Please can you share these within your local Muslim communities and networks.

To view the poster below click here.

3. Group selected for provider collaborative innovators scheme 

We are proud to announce that Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Northamptonshire Healthcare Group have been selected by NHS England as one of only nine participants in a new national innovator scheme.

The NHS England Provider Collaborative Innovators Scheme will connect national policy and support directly to the partnership working delivered in our system.

Only nine participants were chosen by NHS England from applications across the country to take part and receive support in this scheme, and were the only collaborative to have been successfully selected in the East Midlands.

The key benefits of becoming a provider collaborative innovator are:

• Support from NHS England to us and our partners, to develop better collaborations, faster
• We can influence national service transformation and national policy
• A network of nine innovators who we can learn from to improve care

To find out more visit https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/news/group-selected-for-provider-collaborative-innovators-scheme/

4. Thank you for your feedback on our health proposals for Hinckley

This week, our six-week engagement for improving community health services in Hinckley and Bosworth came to an end.

We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the questionnaire.

All of the feedback people have provided will be independently analysed and evaluated. A report of findings will then be produced and presented to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) during a public meeting.

The details of the meeting will be published on the LLR ICB website in due course. If you wish to attend, you will need to register in advance.

We will also publish the report on the LLR ICB website and communicate further information about the outcome of the engagement, including the improvements that will be made.

5. Help Us, Help You - Pharmacy advice campaign

Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who can easily help with minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, itchy eyes and earache. If symptoms indicate something that may be more serious, they can signpost you to other NHS services, such as a GP or A&E, for the help you need.

With no appointment needed, local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient service and if needed can speak to you in the privacy of a consultation room.

New data reveals that although 82% of people aged 18-40 trust the advice provided by their local pharmacist, only 19% of people said they would go to a pharmacy first when experiencing minor health concerns (e.g., cough, cold or earache).

While 93% of people know where their local pharmacy is, nearly half of those surveyed (43%) do not use it when experiencing minor health concerns, opting to speak to their GP first.

64% of those aged 18-40 did not know that pharmacists train for five years before they’re fully qualified. This includes a four-year master’s degree in Pharmacy, followed by a foundation year in training.

So, if you’re experiencing a minor health concern – speak to your local pharmacist to get expert advice straight away.

• 0-19 Healthy Child Programme procurement consultation