Age Concern Crosby has released details of the next Flick and Friends, over 60’s film, for September.

The film is Mrs Lowry & Son starring Timothy Spall and Vanessa Redgrave. This is a biography of artist L.S. Lowry who lived all his life with his over-bearing mother Elizabeth.

Bed-ridden and bitter, Elizabeth actively tried to dissuade her bachelor son from pursuing his artistic ambitions, whilst never failing to voice her opinion at what a disappointment he was to her.

The film is being shown at the Plaza Community Cinema, on Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Tuesday 24th September.

The doors open at 12.30pm and the film starts at 1pm.

“It is just £1.00 to see this excellent film. Why not bring a friend?” says Age Concern Crosby.

Make a note of future dates for Flicks and Friends:

October 15th at 1pm

November 19th at 1pm

December 10th at 1pm

Sefton’s independent health and social care consumer champion has now expanded its reach to the other side of the world.

Healthwatch Sefton was contacted by Jan Seery after an internet search on hand muffs brought up an article on twiddlemuffs that had been on the Healthwatch website. Jan had been trying to find hand muffs for her mum who lives in a care home thousands of miles away in Australia!

Jan says: “I have been looking for hand muffs for my 96 year old mother but I haven’t been having much luck. However, I came across the Healthwatch Sefton website and thought I would write and ask if it would be possible to obtain a twiddlemuff for my mum.

Alzheimer’s Society Sefton has been collecting knitted twiddlemuffs from lots of volunteers.“She does have Alzheimer’s but that was not the reason that I was looking for muffs for her. She suffers with cold hands – we do get cold weather in Australia in winter – and I have never seen anything like your Twiddlemuffs – they look amazing!!”

Dagmara Wojciechowska, from Alzheimer’s Society Sefton and who is also their representative on Healthwatch Sefton’s Community Champion Southport and Formby Network, explains: “There is a two-in-one benefit of twiddlemuffs because they have a warming effect when people put their hands inside but they also provide stimulation from the different additions, such as furry or crinkly materials.”

Gill White, Dementia Support Manager of Alzhiemer’s Society Sefton, comments: “We have had so many positive comments about twiddlemuffs from our service users and carers. They really are a great way to help a person living with dementia remain active and engaged and we would like to thank our marvellous army of volunteers who produce these woolly wonders for us.”

“Coincidentally this is World Alzheimer’s month and we are happy to have been able to raise awareness of the benefits these knitted muffs have for people with dementia,” says Diane Blair, manager of Healthwatch Sefton.

The twiddlemuffs are now making their way to Australia along with a pattern because as Jan says: “Perhaps our Alzheimer’s Society here in Queensland and Australia could get their volunteers to start making these wonderful objects.”

For details on Alzheimer’s Society Sefton ring 01704 539967. For Healthwatch Sefton ring 0800 206 1304.

The first ever national World Patient Safety Day highlights the great work the NHS are already doing in south Sefton to improve the safety of patients.

The aim of World Health Organisation’s national day is to create awareness of patient safety and urge people to speak up about their commitment to making healthcare safer.

In south Sefton there are many ways that NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are doing this and they are keen to share that good work with others across the region to support redesign of services to benefit all patients.

Tracey Forshaw, assistant chief nurse at NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “We work all year round to improve the safety of our patients in south Sefton. What is key for us is to share any learning with our key partners in Sefton and if helpful we also share learnings nationally so as not to reinvent the wheel and so that patients receive the safest care as soon as they can.”

Just one example in south Sefton is the reduction of antibiotic prescriptions for older people in care homes in Bootle. Many older people will show bacteria in their bladder when urine dipsticks are used but it does not necessarily mean that they have a water infection and need medication as some bacteria is harmless.

An eight week pilot with the CCG and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has shown the improvements that can be made in a short space of time. Two months before the pilot started the CCG saw 26 hospital admissions from water infections in people at care homes, after the pilot there has been none. There were also 76 antibiotic prescriptions made before the pilot and only four have been made since the pilot finished, showing that only appropriate prescribing are now taking place for water infections.

Something else the CCG has changed following a review is for maintenance agreements to be put in place for equipment including epilepsy bed mats in residential care. This is just one example where a case came to the clinical commissioning group who has then made improvements working with Sefton Council and Mencap, NHS England and NHS Improvement Cheshire and Merseyside and local authorities across the region to share the learning.

The CCG also works with Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a regular basis to review how they work together to improve the safety of patients. Together they have done work with the team on falls prevention by introducing low rise beds, assisted technology, posters in hospitals and also started bay tagging to ensure that a member of staff is always around to watch those patients at risk of falls at all times and reduce harm as a result of falls.

Aintree University Hospital was one of the first hospitals in England to support ‘Sign up to Safety’, an NHS England national patient safety campaign with a mission to strengthen patient safety in the NHS and make it the safest healthcare system in the world, you can read more about their pledges here.

Steve Warburton, Chief Executive of Aintree University Hospital, said: “Our teams have done a lot of work to improve the safety of the care we provide in a range of areas. World Patient Safety Day is a great opportunity for us to share our successes, learn how we can improve further and promote best practice across the hospital.”

Aintree University Hospital will be hosting a Patient Safety Day event where teams from across the hospital will be on hand to discuss the work they have done to make improvements in a range of areas including medicines management, identifying and treating sepsis, preventing falls and pressure ulcers and improving infection prevention and control.

There will also be presentations from the hospital’s Chief Executive, Medical Director and Chief Nurse.

The event, which is open to everyone, takes place on 17^th September from 11.30am – 2.30pm in the Boardroom at Aintree Hospital.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at the CCG, said: “We are speaking up for patient safety and working with others to share learning both ways. This is so important to us as a CCG and I am pleased there is a national awareness day to celebrate this work. It all helps in making changes for the better to improve the care of our patients for the future.”

A new campaign inspiring people with health conditions to get more active is being supported by NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Southport and Formby CCG and Sefton Council.

The campaign is called We Are Undefeatable and is being led by Sport England, a public body which promotes sport.

One in four people live with a long-term health condition such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis and Parkinson’s. Evidence shows that being active can help manage many conditions and help reduce the impact and severity of some symptoms, but people with long-term conditions are actually twice as likely to be inactive.

Dr Rob Caudwell, a GP in Southport and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Getting active doesn’t need to be about joining a local sports club or even running a 10k. It can just be about doing things that fit into your existing routine, as and when you can. Aim to do 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking five times a week.”

Dr Craig Gillespie, a GP in Crosby and chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “It’s important to find an activity or sport you enjoy, so that you’re more likely to keep it up. Moving more with friends, family members, and others can also help make things more fun. The campaign website features lots of ideas for activities to try.

“Start slowly and build up with exercise and always make sure you warm up and cool down before and after.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “It’s important to listen to your body and do what feels comfortable to you. Make the most of your good days and on your not so good days, you may need to do less. Small amounts of activity all add up so even little changes can make a big difference to your health.”

Anyone who is looking to make their first steps back into fitness may be interested in joining Active Sefton’s Couch to 5K programme. Taking place every Monday and Wednesday at Litherland Sports Park and Tuesday & Thursday at Hesketh Park, Southport, the coach-led crash courses aim to help you get back into shape or rediscover your love of running over a number of weeks.

The Southport course lasts six weeks, starting September 10, and

cost just £6 per person to enter, while the 10 week Litherland course, starting September 9, is priced at £10. For more information contact Active Sefton on 0151 934 2340 or email active.sports@sefton.gov.uk

The Living Well Sefton partners have lots of ideas and support locally on how to be active. Email the team on: LWS@seftoncvs.org.uk for more details.

To understand the NHS’ recommended levels of physical activity, visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/

Health experts in Sefton are urging local residents to find out if their heart is happy and get their blood pressure checked for free as part of Know Your Numbers! Week (September 9-15).

Shockingly, 30,000 people in Sefton have high blood pressure and don’t know. This puts them at a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease and dementia.

Professional’s from Sefton Council, Living Well Sefton (LWS), NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are working together to encourage residents to know their numbers and help prevent heart attacks or a stroke so they can live healthier for longer.

Throughout Know Your Numbers Week, Living Well Sefton will be offering free blood pressure checks at the following locations:

• Smokefree Sefton, Bootle Strand Helping Hand Shop – Monday, 9 September, 10am-12pm
• Southport Community Centre – Tuesday, 10 September, 10am-12pm
• Feelgood Factory, Netherton – Wednesday, 11 September, 10am-12pm
• Sefton Opera, Bootle – Wednesday, 11 September, 1pm-2.30pm
• Parenting 2000, Mornington Road, Southport – Thursday, 12 September, 2pm-4pm
• Strand by Me Shop, Bootle Strand, – Friday, 13 September, 10am-12pm

Living Well Sefton will also be offering mini health checks, including a blood pressure test, at the Strand by Me Shop in Bootle, Thursday, 12 September, 10am-12pm.

Many key risk factors for developing high blood pressure are largely lifestyle-related such as eating too much salt, not enough fruit and vegetables, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and not taking enough exercise. High blood pressure is also more likely in older people, if it runs in your family and if you are of African, Caribbean or South-Asian descent.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “It is so important to keep on top of your health and I am urging Sefton residents to take this opportunity to get your blood pressure checked for free.

“High blood pressure is a largely preventable and treatable condition but contributes to the leading causes of death. Having your blood pressure checked is an important step to knowing and reducing your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.”

Karen Nolan, Living Well Sefton programme manager, added: “We are happy to be part of Know Your Numbers week and can support local people to make minor lifestyle changes which can make a big difference to their blood pressure.

“The Know Your Numbers campaign is a great way to raise awareness of keeping track of your blood pressure but we want to let residents know Living Well can offer support all year round.”

Brendan Prescott, deputy chief nurse at NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Many pharmacies across Sefton will provide information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control and some will measure your blood pressure accurately.

“A blood pressure check is quick, free, painless and could save your life. You can also have a free blood pressure check in your GP surgery or use an appropriate and recommended home testing machine.”

To find your nearest pressure station online visit: www.happy-hearts.co.uk

Recruitment lines to join Merseyside Police are now open and driven individuals who are passionate about serving their community are being encouraged to join the force.

The force will be taking on additional new constables from this recruitment drive and details of how to apply can be found here.

The force is committed to providing an effective service to communities across Merseyside and aims to put communities first in everything it does.

To do this, they need to understand all of our communities and our officers and staff should reflect the diverse communities we serve.

T/ACC Natalie Perischine said: “The Government recently announced funding for an uplift in the number of police officers nationally, and as a result Merseyside Police is looking towards a sustained recruitment of new officers.

“In addition to this, there will be another recruitment drive in November. Then, throughout the next three years there will be further opportunities for members of the public to join us.

“For those applying in the future, there will be changes in relation to how you can apply to become an officer. However, we will ensure these changes are communicated and the different routes to become a police officer are made clear.

“We want to encourage people from various communities, who have the passion, ability and drive to deliver an effective policing service, to join us and help us better understand the needs of the diverse communities we serve and protect.”

Chief Inspector Karen Wiesenekker from our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Team added: “Often when we run recruitment campaigns, we find that there aren’t many applications from the different and underrepresented groups which can be quite disappointing.

“Being a police officer, although a tough job, is extremely rewarding and is definitely a job for all people from all backgrounds or walks of life. Therefore, it is extremely important that our officers are representative of the communities we serve. We embrace diversity and inclusivity and work as one team to provide the public with an effective policing service.

“People from different backgrounds bring different experiences and viewpoints to the force and can help us shape the future of policing, whilst better understanding the various cultures, beliefs and traditions that makes up Merseyside.

“The skills for being a good police officer includes the ability to work as part of a team, solve problems and keep calm and confident in difficult circumstances.

“The role can be both physically and mentally demanding but it is an opportunity to make a difference and ensure that the people who live in Merseyside feel safe.”

The force is looking to recruit individuals who are:

• Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic
• From Minority Religious Groups
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
• Transgender
• Female
• Disabled

Merseyside Police is proud to use Positive Action to offer advice, guidance and support throughout the recruitment process to these groups. For information on positive action please email:
Diversity.equality.and.inclusion.tea@merseyside.police.uk

If you would like to apply to join Merseyside Police or would like more information, please click this link