Report of previous meetings:

TALK on 19 OCTOBER, 2009

Todmorden Patients Participation Group held a meeting on Mon 19th Oct, where Dr David Ryland and Asthma nurse Vikki Ellison gave a very interesting talk on Asthma. The meeting was held at the Central Methodist Community Centre.

It was explained that Asthma is a long term inflammation of the linings of the airways. The inflammation causes the linings of the airways to swell, the muscles around the airways to contract and more mucus to be produced. This causes the airways to narrow making breathing more difficult. Nobody knows exactly what causes Asthma. However it is known that it is more common in people with a family history of Asthma or allergies.

The most common Asthma symptoms are coughing, tight chest, shortness of breath and wheezing. When symptoms become very bad, it is called an attack. Asthma is controlled by a reliever inhaler for fast relief and a preventer inhaler which should be taken everyday even when feeling well.

It is important that Asthma is properly controlled. Symptoms or the need to use a prescribed reliever more than twice a week are signs that Asthma may not be properly controlled.

1400 people die each year which is serious, so it is important that patients  attend the Asthma Clinic, use inhalers properly, check peak flow readings for any changes, stop smoking, do some exercise and make sure height and weight are in the appropriate range. Diaries can be issued to children and adults to record peak flow readings.

TALK ON 17 JUNE, 2009

Todmorden Patients Participation Group held a meeting on Wed 17th June, specifically for "Carers", the speaker was Judith Guy the CARER DEVELOPMENT WORKER. A carer is someone who looks after a friend, relative or neighbour who cannot manage without help because of age, illness or disability and it is believed there are about 20,000 carers in Calderdale. Some people do not recognise themselves as carers, just because they help with simple things as shopping but that person does rely on the carer. So that carers do not feel isolated the Calderdale Carers Project organise events and on the 2nd Tuesday in each month, from 10.30am to 1pm, meet at the Health Centre so carers can call in for advice on financial matters, support or just for a chat and cup of tea. There is emergency back up if a carer has to go into hospital so that there will be someone to look after the sick person. A small grants service is available for carers, when they can claim £250, but they must be in receipt of Carers allowance or a means tested benefit. It is free to register as a carer and if anyone requires further information they can telephone 01422 369101 or EMAIL: enquiries@calderdale-carers.co.uk. Any information on Patient Participation Group contact Barbara Brierley on 01706 812751

We have a Patient Participation Group that organises talks by specialists in various fields. Barbara Brierley is the secretary. She can be contacted on 01706 812751. Her email address is bobbarbara@hotmail.co.uk.

TALK ON TUESDAY JULY 1st 2008

New Health Developments in Todmorden by  Dawn Gaukroger

The new Oddfellows Hall was full for the Patient Participation Group meeting on 1st July.
As manager of Public and Patient Participation for the Primary Care Trust, Dawn Gaukroger asked patients about the issues that most concerned them, which seemed to be mostly about what would happen to Dr. Grewal's patients in Cornholme and Walsden, now he is retiring, progress on the new Health Centre, and the difficulties of booking appointments.

FOR ANY INFORMATION ON THE GROUP PLEASE CONTACT BARBARA BRIERLEY TEL. 812751

Dawn also told us about Practice Plus, which is a substantial pot of money from the government that will be given to Todmorden and 4 other parts of Calderdale to improve GP services. We were handed questionnaires which ask how patients want the money to be spent. It was pointed out by Dr Harrison that the PCT is already taking tenders for these new services from commercial health providers and this is not related to services from the current practice, and staff employed by a commercial concern will not be covered for benefits such as NHS pensions.  You can download and fill in the questionnaire from here.  Results of the Practice Plus questionnaire will be sent to the medical centre and posted here.          

The launch of the new medical centre in Halifax Road is on schedule to take place on 1st October. The new building is owned by the Assura group and it will be rented on a 21-year lease paid for by the Primary Care Trust. There is more information on its progress on the Assura website .  The current GP practice has detailed plans for using some of this space (bottom two floors?), including adding new services like specialized clinics and day procedures. There will also be more services from the Trust coming to Todmorden including more diagnostic facilities but final details are still being sorted out. There will be more detail on this website soon. Dawn has asked for ideas about the launch - how to involve local people, how to make sure we all get a chance to look around, etc. Comments can be made via this group.