HEALTH MATTERS

DR Paul Bowen, Clinical Chair of NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, and GP with McIlvride Medical Practice, Poynton IF you’re reading this column, it’s a fair bet that you’re interested in the local NHS.

If that’s the case, then why not head for Macclesfield Town Hall on Wednesday, August 29, for the annual general meeting of the CCG?

Running from 6pm to 8pm, the event will start with brief presentations on the organisation’s achievements, ambitions and challenges, after which you will have around 90 minutes to quiz leaders on important subjects including plans to:

Accelerate the joining up of health and social care services to help people with long-term conditions to live well at home.

Ensure that urgent and emergency care services work as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Balance the CCG’s books.

Provide a community rehabilitation service for people who have had a stroke.

The short presentations on the CCG’s achievements in 20182019 will focus on headlines such as recording the highest uptake of the flu jab in Cheshire and Merseyside, having the best hospital stroke care in England, and being awarded £227,000 by NHS England for education of people with diabetes.

Other successes to be showcased will include national awards for the free CATCH app that advises parents on looking after pre-school children when they fall ill, and the Emotionally Healthy Schools programme that the CCG launched with partners to promote mental wellbeing in schools across Cheshire.

Also highlighted, a new triage and physiotherapy outpatient service for people having problems with their joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

I hope you will be able to join us to learn more about our work to inspire better health and wellbeing, and to face the challenge of achieving value for money while providing excellent care.