News archive

The borough's Care Trust Plus is one of the top healthcare places to work for in the country. NHS Blackburn with Darwen was ranked 33rd out of 100 in the Healthcare 100 awards.

The list, compiled by independent researchers polling staff, aims to highlight the top healthcare employers in the United Kingdom and celebrate the work the health sector does. The Healthcare 100 awards, now in its second year, is organised by Health Service Journal and the Nursing Times. The NHS Employers and the Department of Health support it. The rankings were unveiled at a ceremony this week (July 7).

Chief Executive Judith Griffin said: "We are honoured to be acknowledged in the Healthcare 100 awards. Our staff have worked so hard and our success could not have been achieved without their dedication. We still have a way to go but with continued belief in our vision to make Blackburn with Darwen a healthier place for everyone, I would hope next year we can build on this year's success. "Recognising achievements and accelerating the sharing of good employment practices is what the Healthcare 100 is all about. The awards highlight the staff who are motivated to put patients first and are proud of the services they provide.

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In response to the news NHS Blackburn with Darwen’s Young Person’s Sexual Health Strategy Coordinator Rebecca Whitburn said

“This is really fantastic news and shows the effect of delivering good quality sex and relationship education, sexual health services and support to young people to make informed choices about their lives.  

NHS Blackburn with Darwen and its partners in the Borough Council and voluntary sector agencies all work together to give young people the best possible start in life. Teenage conceptions remains a priority in the Local Area Agreement and is a key element of the local Children and Young People’s Plan.

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The new organisation will operate from 1 April 2010 replacing the current NHS Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and will integrate health and social care commissioning across Blackburn with Darwen.

At the moment NHS Blackburn with Darwen and the Borough Council separately decide how to spend public money on local health and social care. Each organisation then plans and buys services to support the needs of local people. It can be difficult to improve services when two different budgets and separate workforces are involved.

This new way of working will bring a simple and straightforward approach to planning and buying health and care in Blackburn with Darwen, supporting the key aims of improving the health and wellbeing of local people and reducing health inequalities across the Borough.

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The helpline was launched in England, in July last year, to provide assessment and treatment for people suffering from swine flu.

With less than 20 new suspected cases being offered treatment in Blackburn with Darwen last week, and the number of swine flu cases nationally slowing to a level manageable by GPs and NHS Direct, the decision has been taken to close the National Pandemic Flu helpline.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen medical director, Malcolm Ridgway, said “It is good to hear that swine flu cases are reducing. However swine flu is still a significant and occasionally fatal illness, particularly for the young, and pregnant women, or those who are vulnerable due to chronic illness.

“I would strongly urge people in these groups to take up the offer of a swine flu vaccination”

Patients who suspect they may have swine flu are being asked from 11th February to stay at home and contact either their GP or NHS Direct.

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Mums and mums-to-be invited to The Mall on 21st January

Figures show that hundreds ofeligible women and children within NHS Blackburn with Darwen are not signed up to Healthy Start – a government scheme that provides free fresh fruit, vegetables, milk and vitamins to families on low incomes and pregnant under 18 year olds.

On Thursday 21^st January the ‘Healthy Start’ roadshow will visit Blackburn as part of a tour across England. A fun and interactive Healthy Start zone will be in The Mall between 9am and 5.30pm to give pregnant women and parents with small children information about the scheme and a free pack of Healthy Start vitamins.

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Richard Lee, NHS Blackburn with Darwen’s New Drugs Pharmacist said: “In 2007, 41 per cent of callers to NHS Direct were advised to take care of themselves in their own home and did not need to see a doctor.

“A lot of minor ailments can be treated easily and effectively without visiting your GP or pharmacist.

“Common illnesses such as a cold, sore throat, headache or indigestion are safe to manage at home as long as you do not have any underlying or long-term conditions.”

Pressure on services reaches an all time high over winter and people are being asked to ‘Choose Well’ when it comes to selecting the healthcare service that is right for them.

It is wise to be prepared should you become ill over winter. Every home should have a basic medicine cabinet.

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The number of calls to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) went up by move than 21 per cent at the weekend as a result of people having accidents.  

Dr Ruth Hussey, North West director for public health said: “We are really concerned about the number of injuries, affecting people of all ages.  Icy conditions are making conditions treacherous.  We need people to think very carefully before venturing out.  The last thing they want to do is spoil their Christmas and New Year break by ending up in hospital."

As more snow is expected over the next couple of days, particularly with people going out for Christmas parties, there are real concerns that more people could be having accidents.

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The Choose Well campaign aims to ensure people know about the range of services available, and also how to keep fit and well.

The winter months always see an increase in the number of people going to their GP, dialling 999 or turning up at A&E. Senior doctors believe that some of the pressure on NHS services could be eased if people were more aware of the range of alternatives for fast and effective advice and treatment, often without an appointment.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Medical Director Dr Malcolm Ridgway said: “Every winter a number of infectious viruses crop up, which on the whole could be treated by having a well stocked medicine cabinet. Seasonal flu, coughs and colds and sickness and diarrhoea for most adults are unpleasant and inconvenient, but nothing more. Staying at home and self-treating until you are free from symptoms for 48 hours can prevent further spread of these viruses.”

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NHS Blackburn with Darwen and registered social landlord Twin Valley Homes were awarded a Health Service Journal Award for its work in “Tackling Health Inequalities.”

The pair has worked closely on a number of initiatives over the past year aimed at improving the health of people in the borough – one of the most deprived in the country.

Glen Finch, Head of Regeneration at Twin Valley Homes, who helped to lead the project said: “This is a fantastic accolade for the work Twin Valley Homes and NHS Blackburn with Darwen have done to tackle the issue of health in the borough.

“Only by tackling the problem together can we make a real difference. As part of Twin Valley Homes’ ‘Driving the Changes’ strategy – aimed at tackling issues of health, unemployment and financial inclusion - we have had some notable successes so far but we still have a long way to go.”

Chief Executive of NHS Blackburn with Darwen Judith Griffin said: “Gaining national recognition for the work we are doing with our partners in the borough really is the icing on the cake of years of hard work and planning by all our staff and partners at Twin Valley Homes.

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The highly regarded former leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Sir Bill Taylor, has accepted the role.

Sir Bill will be responsible for setting up a Board that will take over the duties of the current Primary Care Trust Board once the Care Trust Plus is up and running.

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Health, the Care Trust Plus will become operational from 1 April 2010.

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Lancashire based construction company, The Eric Wright Group will be overseeing the development until its completion in 2011, and have a wealth of successful building ventures in their portfolio such as Darwen Health Centre, Accrington Acorn and Pals Health Centres and the Outdoor Adventure Centre in Cumbria. They are also key partners in the Eric Wright Learning Foundation which provides training in construction related trades to 14 – 16 year old students in the South Ribble and Chorley areas as part of their GCSE programme.

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On 25^th November the annual Red Ribbon Cabaret was held at The Thwaites Empire Theatre in Ewood, and on 1^st December the World Aids Day Vigil will once again be held at Blackburn Cathedral. The World Aids Day Vigil is an opportunity for all to reflect on HIV and Aids, no matter what their religious beliefs and to think about those who have been affected.

These events aim to raise awareness and improve understanding of HIV and Aids while combating some of the stigma which still exists.

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Symptoms such as a persistent cough, breathlessness, wheezing or recurrent chest infections are tell-tale signs of a problem and current or ex-smokers are particularly at risk.

Local COPD patients have set up a support group known as “Breathe Easy”, with help from the British Lung Foundation, a national Charity for people living with a lung condition.

Many of the group members have also benefited from a programme called Pulmonary Rehabilitation which has helped them to improve their quality of life, physical ability and enabled them to gain better control of their condition.

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NHS Blackburn with Darwen will be holding an information stand and giving out leaflets about the use of antibiotics and the risk of clostridium difficille. We will be available to answer any questions about antibiotics on Wednesday November 18^th and Thursday November 19^th  in Morrisons (Blackburn Centre) 10am to 4pm. 

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Organised by NHS Blackburn with Darwen, the roadshow is open to anyone who wants to find out more about eating well, moving more and living longer.

Everyone in the borough is encouraged to come along and get practical ideas and advice to help them make lifestyle changes.  Health professionals will be on hand to give tips and answer questions and visitors can sign up to Change4Life so that they can receive personalised regular advice on how to eat well, move more and live longer.

The event will be held in Town Hall Squarefrom 10am to 4pm offering information, freebies and demonstrations throughout the day.

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Roar Lion met up with Percy the Smokefree Penguin at a stop smoking information stand to encourage smokers to access free NHS support and quit smoking. Smokers in Blackburn will be able to gain advice and information from friendly smokefree advisors at the stand until Sunday 11 October.

Percy is touring 25 shopping centres across the region to encourage people to quit smoking. The roadshow is part of a new television advertising campaign ‘One Way Street’ which features Percy the Smokefree Penguin. The tour is being chronicled in the blog www.percypenguinontour.blogspot.com.