Category: News

Ambitious plans to build a new health and wellbeing centre in Dartmouth received a TRIPLE boost this week.

The local NHS, South Hams District Council (SHDC), Dartmouth Medical Practice and other partners are working together to build a state-of-the-art new home for GP and NHS services in the town.

The new building will be light, airy and built to modern health and energy standards, providing an improved experience for patients. The aim of the new centre is to bring many local health services under one roof, for the benefit of people in Dartmouth. It will provide a wide range of services formerly provided at Dartmouth Hospital and currently offered by TSDFT at Dartmouth Clinic, which was re-purposed as an interim health and wellbeing centre in 2017. It would also house Dartmouth Medical Practice, Dartmouth Caring, and other services such as a pharmacy.

The project has taken major steps forward in recent days.

On 18 July 2019, South Hams District Council’s Executive approved the business case for the scheme, which sets out the way it will be funded and built and how the council will lease the building to the head tenant, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT).

The new centre is set to be built on part of the land currently used as an overflow for the park and ride at the top of town.

The council previously agreed the principle of developing a Health and Wellbeing Centre for Dartmouth in December 2018 and the scheme is subject to design, planning permission and lease agreements.

Cllr Hilary Bastone, SHDC’s Deputy Leader said: “I am delighted that the council is working with the NHS to build a modern, fit-for-purpose health and wellbeing centre for local people. This investment is good for the council and good for the population of Dartmouth and the surrounding villages.”

And this week, GPs from Dartmouth Medical Practice formally announced they will relocate from their Victoria Road surgery to the new site after terms were agreed with NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is the local headquarters for the NHS, responsible for planning and paying for local health services.

The practice will lease its part of the building from the head tenant, TSDFT.

Dr Andrew Eynon-Lewis, senior partner at Dartmouth Medical Practice said: “Moving to the new health and wellbeing centre will bring huge benefits for our patients and our hard-working practice team.

“Patients can look forward to receiving healthcare in a modern, accessible and fit-for-purpose building, while the new facility also puts GP services on a more sustainable  footing by providing an attractive place to work for GPs and allowing us expand our training programme.”

The move is subject to agreeing the detailed terms of the practice’s occupancy.

This week, TSDFT also announced it had approved the financial model for the scheme and confirmed details about the sums being invested by the NHS.

The cost of building the centre will be £4.1 million, about £1 million of which will come from the sale of the former Dartmouth Community Hospital, which closed in 2017 when services were relocated or changed further to a full public consultation. The overall project cost is £4.8 million.

Services to be provided by the trust in the new building include:

• Ante-Natal Clinics
• Audiology
• Bladder and Bowel Clinic
• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Counselling
• Community Therapy Team
• Dartmouth Caring – counsellors
• Talkworks (formerly the Depression and Anxiety Service)
• Devon Carers
• Diabetic Eye Screening
• District Nursing Team
• Ear, Nose & Throat
• Heart Failure Clinic
• Lower Limb Therapy Clinic
• Minor Ops
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
• Osteopath
• Paediatric Clinic
• Podiatry

Services, such as intermediate care, community therapy, community nurses, social services, are provided in the community.

TSDFT chief executive Liz Davenport added: “We’re really pleased this exciting project is gathering momentum and has passed some major milestones in recent days. We’re investing in bringing a first-class facility to people in Dartmouth and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with our local partners on developing the plans.”

Simon Tapley, interim accountable officer for Devon CCG, said: “We know from experience that bringing different health services together under one roof has huge benefits for patients and the NHS. I’d like to thank CCG colleagues, TSDFT, Dartmouth Medical Practice and the council for pulling together to bring a superb new building closer to fruition.”

Current plans are for the new centre to be built on about half of the existing overflow car park, which is currently a field, with the rest of the land formally laid out to provide 90 car parking spaces.

South Hams District Council is confident it can address the loss of spaces in the overflow car park by redesigning the layout of the current park and ride.  The overflow facility is usually only used for the six-week summer school holiday, and only when weather permits, since the grassed area cannot be used when raining.  The paper before the council’s Executive stated that weekend capacity would be not be unduly affected as the health and wellbeing centre would not have high demand during those periods and the car park would therefore be available. Coach parking and main park and ride parking capacity are unaffected.

The next step is for the council to enter into an agreement with TSDFT and jointly complete the design phase of the project, which would be followed by a planning application.

Project timescales will be confirmed soon, but it is hoped an application for planning permission could be submitted early in 2020 and should it be approved, the project could be complete in 2021.

The NHS will also continue to work with local partners in Dartmouth on local health and care issues.

1,500 more appointments available at hospital – but many people think it is closed, survey shows
People from the Holsworthy area were the first to hear the results from the recent survey of health and social care needs in the area.

Some visitors also enjoyed tours of the hospital to see how hospital services have expanded in recent years.
The event was hosted and run by the Holsworthy Community Involvement Group – local people who are working with the NHS to help people in Holsworthy and the surrounding parishes live healthier and happier lives.

Beds at the hospital were temporarily closed in 2017 and since then the hospital has added more services or groups for local people, including clinics for people with chronic kidney problems, joint problems, Parkinson’s and increased support for people with mental health issues.

There has been an estimated four-fold increase in the number of appointments available at the hospital, with around 500 appointments in April 2017, rising to more than 2,000 available in April 2019.

Despite the number of people using the hospital rising significantly in recent years, the survey found:

• Services provided at Holsworthy hospital were identified by 90% of respondents as a priority
• Almost half of respondents aged 46-55 believed the hospital was closed. This rose to more than 50% of 76-85 year olds and more than 90% of people aged 85 and over.

• Overall about one in ten people said they felt lonely or isolated. This rose to almost three in ten among 18-25 year olds.
• Almost eight in ten (79%) said End of Life care was important. Of these three quarters put care in their own home as their first choice for this with 16% saying this should be in a community hospital.

More than 1,100 (about 16% of) people living in the area responded to the survey which was analysed independently by Healthwatch Devon.

Town and district councillor Jon Hutchings, former Holsworthy mayor and a member of the HCIG, said he was pleased.
“It was great to share the findings of our survey with people living in Holsworthy and beyond,” he said.

“The survey showed that people really value their local hospital but perhaps that
unless you use the hospital or are a visitor, many are not sure what services are
there – or how busy it is.

“The results of the survey are now available online and we will make sure we put a
number of paper copies in the town’s library.

“I would urge everyone to take a look – there are some really surprising things in
there.”

Inpatient beds at Holsworthy Hospital were temporarily closed in March 2017.

Problems recruiting medical and nursing staff means that the beds remain closed at
present. But since the temporary closures local non-bed-based services at the
hospital have increased.

There are now approximately 40 clinics or groups running from the site including a
group for mums and babies, patients with kidney disease, a leg clinic, a service for
people with Parkinson’s, retinal screening, stroke rehabilitation and rheumatology.

It is also the base for 50 health and social care staff who help patients get back on
their feet, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and promote, health, wellbeing and
independence. It is these staff that now also provide the care to NHS patients at
Deer Park.

The Holsworthy Community Involvement Group was set up to review progress
regarding the reopening of beds and develop a set of recommendations to inform
NHS commissioning decisions. It is predominantly made up of local people,
community leaders and representatives with support from the NHS.

These recommendations, along with clinical, financial and logistical considerations,
will then inform decisions about services in future. Final recommendations are
expected later this summer.

Cllr Barry Parsons, local county councillor (Holsworthy Rural division) and HCIG
member, added: “It’s a great privilege to be part of a group working so hard and for
so long in the best interests of its community.

“The group includes individuals from different aspects of our Holsworthy Town and
Parishes, each and every one determined to seek out best possible solutions for the
health and well-being of our local community.

“Members of the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have been equally committed
and I would like to express sincere thanks for their understanding of a situation which
involves people as far away from an acute hospital as anywhere else in the country.”

The group’s achievements to date include:
• Spearheading the opening of temporary beds at Deer Park Care Home for
people at the end of life and those with intensive rehabilitation needs
• Mapping more than 100 community groups, such as local voluntary, charity
• and statutory services
• Analysing local needs using Devon County Council’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment of the area
• Meeting more than 100 people face-to-face to listen to their views in a series of focus groups to understand needs.
• Delivering information leaflets about the project to 16,000 people in the area
• Establishing a list of local priorities to be addressed.

The project recently won the ‘collaboration of the year’ category in the Celebrating You awards run by Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissions NHS care in the county.
The award recognised the joint work between the community of Holsworthy, Devon CCG, Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and Devon County Council.

Search ‘Holsworthy healthier and happier lives survey’ or visit www.devonccg.nhs.uk

People across Devon can help shape the future for health and care in the county by sharing their views as part of a major engagement programme launching today (11 July 2019).

Devon is developing a local version of the NHS Long Term Plan, called Better for you, Better for Devon. The plan will make sure we are fit for the future, providing high quality care and better health outcomes for people and their families, through every stage of life.

The national Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, was developed in partnership with those who know the NHS best – frontline health and care staff, patients and their families.

Now here in Devon, we are starting an eight-week period of engagement* (from 11 July to 5 September 2019) to develop our own Long Term Plan, Better for You, Better for Devon. The plan will focus on improving people’s health and mental health, and supporting people to stay well.

Part of the conversation will centre on the big challenges we face, as these will influence the future of health and care:

• Medical advances mean people are living longer – something we celebrate. But people now often live with multiple illnesses, such as cancer, heart problems and type 2 diabetes. We need to ensure services can provide what they need
• Preventable illnesses like type 2 diabetes are increasing, and the amount of time people live in good health has been decreasing since 2012
• Vital health and care jobs remain unfilled – 1 in 10 nurse jobs and 1 in 12 social worker posts in Devon remain vacant as demand for services increase. There is a shortage of people to undertake these roles
• There have been increases in NHS funding, but peoples’ needs for services are growing faster
• Devon’s population is growing and is expected to rise by about 33,000 people – equivalent to the population of Exmouth – over the next five years.

Better for You, Better for Devon will build on work we have previously done and will focus on real changes to how we support people.

This will see us strengthening prevention to support people to live healthier lives, supporting GP and community services to intervene early to support local people, enhancing services to help children, young people and adults needing mental health support, and having high-quality, efficient hospital services in the right place when people need them.

We will work more closely with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, charities and the broader social care sector to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

People taking part in our engagement will be asked some questions that will help shape our plans. Questions include:

• How can we work more closely with volunteers and the voluntary sector to better support people to live healthier and for longer?
• How can we better support people in their communities and in their own homes?
• What could we do to promote careers in health and social care (e.g. working with schools and young people)?

To ensure we get really good detailed feedback, the majority of the engagement exercise will be delivered by local councils and NHS organisations and will be based on local priorities. This will involve focus groups, face-to-face discussions and surveys.

There will also be county-wide engagement using 1,700 members of the public who are part of our new Citizen’s Panel, surveys of GP practice participation groups (PPGs) and phone questionnaires with patients.

Dr Rob Dyer, lead medical director for Devon, is working on the development of Better for You, Better for Devon. He said: “The NHS is one of our nation’s greatest achievements, and for 70 years dedicated NHS staff have been there for us in Devon and across the country. But more people are living longer, many with complex health conditions, so the NHS and local councils need to plan so they can work more smartly and effectively, deliver excellent care and attract and retain the best staff.

“Now the national plan has been published, we – as the local health and care system in Devon – need to decide how best to take the ambitions it contains and turn them into real improvements in services over the next few years.

“Better for You, Better for Devon will build on the progress we have already made in recent years by working more closely together. Placing a greater emphasis on supporting people in their communities is at the heart of our plan and we’re very keen to hear what local people have got to say this summer.”

The NHS Long Term Plan describes the actions that will need to be taken at local, regional and national level to make its ambitious vision a reality:

• Joining up the NHS and social care so patients don’t ‘fall through the cracks’, such as by breaking down the barriers between GP services and those in the community.
• Helping individuals and families to help themselves, by taking a more active role in preventing ill-health, such as offering dedicated support to people to stop smoking, lose weight and cut down on alcohol.
• Tackling health inequalities by working with specific groups who are vulnerable to poor health, with targeted support to help homeless people, black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, and those with mental illnesses or learning disabilities.
• Backing our workforce by increasing the number of people working in the delivery of NHS services, particularly in mental health, primary care and community services.
• Bringing the NHS into the digital age, rolling out technology such as new digital GP services that will improve access and help patients make appointments, manage prescriptions and view health records on-line.
• Spending extra investment wisely, making sure money goes where it matters most. The NHS will continue to reduce waste, tackle variations and improve the effectiveness of treatments.

 

More details about opportunities to help shape those plans will be shared shortly. In the meantime, read a copy of the national plan, find out more on the Devon STP website take part in the survey.

Print version of Better for you, Better for Devon survey

 

People in Holsworthy are being invited to a special event to discover the services at Holsworthy hospital and hear what local people had to say about services in the local community.

The event, which is hosted and run by the Holsworthy Community Involvement Group, takes place on Monday, 24 June, 2019, from 2pm to 7pm at Holsworthy Hospital and all are welcome.

The group is made up of local people who are working with the NHS to help people in Holsworthy and the surrounding parishes live healthier and happier lives.

The event on 24 June is an opportunity for local people to meet group members, find out about the many services at the hospital and even go on a tour of the building.

The findings of the Holsworthy Community Healthier and Happier Lives survey will also be revealed. The survey, which was run independently by Healthwatch Devon in summer 2018, attracted more than 1,100 responses.

Town and district councillor Jon Hutchings, former Holsworthy mayor and a member of the HCIG, said: “The response to the survey was fantastic and we are really looking forward to sharing the findings with the local community.

“We have formed a strong partnership with the NHS which has already yielded positive results and the event on Monday will also give us a chance to explain the next steps in the process.”

The group’s achievements include:

• Spearheading the opening of beds at Deer Park Care Home for people at the end of life and those with intensive rehabilitation needs
• Supporting an increase in the number of appointments at Holsworthy Hospital since beds were temporarily removed
• Mapping 100 community groups, such as local voluntary, charity and statutory services
• Producing and delivering information leaflets about the project to 16,000 people in the area
• Improving links between the NHS in Devon and Cornwall and exploring opportunities at Stratton Hospital
• Establishing a list of local priorities to be addressed

Gary Patch, a senior member of the community services team at Northern Devon Healthcare Care NHS Trust, said: “We’re calling on as many people as possible to attend and we will also be offering local people the chance to get involved and share their views as part of future focus groups.”

Refreshments will be available during the day. Tours of the hospital will only be available towards the end of the event once clinical sessions have concluded for the day.

Doctors in Devon are providing essential advice to people across the county on how to choose the right service for them if they feel unwell this Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
The long weekend traditionally brings extra tourists to our beautiful county, putting extra pressure on health services.
Devon’s NHS leaders are asking people to do what they can to prevent themselves becoming unwell and make sensible to decisions when it comes to choosing the right NHS service if they need help.

Dr Shelagh McCormick, a Devon GP, said: “The NHS in Devon is very busy at the moment and demand is forecast to increase over the bank holiday weekend so we are asking people to help us help them by choosing the right service for their needs.”

The #HelpUsHelpYou advice is:

• Self care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries like a coughs, colds, grazes, small cuts or a sore throat. They can be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.
• Pharmacists advise and treat illnesses like hay fever, diarrhoea, earache, painful cough, sticky eye, teething and rashes – and by visiting your pharmacy you can avoid an unnecessary trip to your GP or A&E and save time. Find your nearest pharmacy here: https://beta.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy
• Minor Injury Units (MIU), walk-in centres (WIC) and urgent treatment centres (UTC) provide non-urgent services for things like cuts, sprains, strain, bruises, itchy rashes, stings and minor burns. You will be seen by an experienced nurse, without an appointment. There are facilities in Bideford, Dawlish, Devonport, Exeter (Sidwell Street WIC) Exmouth, Kingsbridge, Ilfracombe, Honiton, Launceston, Lynton Resource Centre, Newton Abbot, Tavistock, Tiverton and Totnes – always check for local opening hours.
• NHS website – www.nhs.uk – is always available for health advice and guidance.
• NHS 111 – click on 111.nhs.uk (for people aged over five only) or call 111 if
you’re feeling unwell, unsure or if you need health advice and guidance in
non-life-threatening emergencies – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Mental health crisis cafés, also known as The Moorings @ Devon, offer
out-of-hours mental health support to anyone aged 16+ in Devon, from
locations in Barnstaple, Exeter, and Torquay. Click www.mhm.org.uk/themoorings-
devon for contact details and opening hours.
• A&E/999 are best used in an emergency for serious or life threatening
conditions like severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, severe chest pain and
loss of consciousness. A&E departments are not an alternative to a GP
appointment.

Dr McCormick added: “By using self-care where appropriate, people in Devon are
helping to free up the health system, which in turn helps patients who are in most
need to get the medical attention they need.”

Tom Kallis, a community pharmacist in Devon, added: “Pharmacies can provide a
fast route to medication for minor ailments so if you’re not sure whether you need to talk to a doctor, check with your pharmacy first.

“Pharmacies are open until late as well as at weekends and you don’t need an
appointment. Most pharmacies also have a confidential consulting area for anyone
who wants to talk in private.”

And as the South West gears up for summer, people who love the outdoors are
being urged to cover up against harmful UV rays.

Health experts this week launched their skin cancer campaign “Cover Up, Mate”,
warning that exposure to greater levels of UV can lead to an increased risk of skin
cancer.

Official NHS advice on staying safe in the sun is to spend time in the shade if you
can, make sure you never burn, cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses, take
extra care with children and use at least factor 15 sunscreen.

As pollen levels start to pick up, hay fever sufferers are also being reminded to buy
hay fever medicines from their local pharmacy where community pharmacists can
offer advice on treatment and avoiding triggers. For more details, click here:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever

People in Devon are being offered free help to combat the threat of diabetes as new figures reveal more than 700 people had a limb amputated because of the disease.

This week (1-7 April 2019) is National Diabetes Prevention Week and anyone in Devon who is worried they could be at risk of Type 2 diabetes is being encouraged to use an online checking tool developed by charity Diabetes UK.

Hospital data shows there were 704 diabetes-related lower-limb amputations in the three years between April 2015 and March 2018 in Devon.

And there are around 79,000 people in the county at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

As well as using the online tool, people who think they may be at risk of Type 2 diabetes can get a free NHS health check, covering Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions (available for those aged 40 to 74), or ask their GP or practice nurse to check if they are at risk, and potentially be referred to a local prevention programme.

Devon has previously won national funding to provide evidence-based programmes that help people reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes – and hundreds of people are already benefitting.

Doctors can refer eligible at-risk patients for a free place on a specialised prevention programme provided by Living Well Taking Control, a consortium led by Devon-based charity Westbank.

Sian Derrick, Diabetes Programme Nutritionist at Living Well Taking Control, said: “The programme offers an opportunity for participants to learn about how to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes through interactive discussions in a relaxed community environment.

“Discussions cover healthy eating, including food labelling, portion sizes and eating out; physical activity and positive mental health and wellbeing.

“There is strong evidence that the onset of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in those at high risk, through improved quality of diet, increase in physical activity, and successful weight loss.

“If you’re worried, take action now.”

Type 2 diabetes can cause personal suffering through its complications – it is a leading cause of sight loss, lower limb amputation and kidney failure, and can contribute to heart attack and stroke. Diabetes and its complications cost the NHS over £10 billion every year to treat and one in six patients in hospital now has diabetes.

The likelihood of developing diabetes increases for people who are overweight, over 40 years of age or have someone in their family who has diabetes.

Diabetes Facts

DEVON

• About 68,000 people in Devon live with diabetes, around 90% of whom have Type 2 diabetes
• There are approximately 800 emergency hospital admissions a year in Devon for patients with diabetic foot disease, which is approx. 10,000 bed days.
• So far in Devon, nearly 2,000 people have been referred to the county’s prevention programme.

NATIONAL

• Around 60% of cases of Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by making lifestyle changes
• Every two minutes someone finds out that they have Type 2 diabetes.
• 26,378 people had lower-limb amputations linked to diabetes between 2014 and 2017, a 19.4% rise from 2010 to 2013
• There are 3.7 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK. This figure has more than doubled in the last 20 years.
• It is estimated that if current trends persist one in 10 people will develop Type 2 diabetes by 2035.

 

Dr Paul Johnson, who lives in Exeter and is a GP at Cricketfield Surgery in Newton Abbot, takes up the post of Clinical Chair of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Devon CCG) which will serve 1.2million across the whole county.

Devon CCG is formed from the merger of South Devon and Torbay CCG and Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG, which have both now been formally dissolved.

The local headquarters for the NHS in Devon

Devon CCG, acts as the headquarters for the NHS in the county and has a budget of more than £1.8 billion. It brings together experienced healthcare professionals to decide what services are needed in the local area and ensure that they are provided. The process of planning, buying and monitoring healthcare is known as commissioning.

Dr Johnson said: “Creating one CCG for the county gives us a wonderful opportunity to take NHS care in Devon into an exciting future and we will now have a powerful single voice in the commissioning of health services.

“We will bring the strength that comes from being the fifth biggest CCG in England, but our teams based across Devon are focussed on shaping local services to meet the varying needs of people in our many diverse communities.

“We’re looking forward to working with our NHS and local authority partners, patient groups and local people to design and develop services that improve the lives of people across our beautiful county.”

Responsible for the majority of local health services

Devon CCG commissions other organisations – including NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, independent organisations, social enterprises and charities – to provide services such as:

• Urgent and emergency care, such as NHS 111, A&E and ambulance services
• Planned (elective) hospital care, such as operations and treatments
• Mental health services
• Community health services, including community nursing and physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation for people recovering from operations and certain conditions
• Maternity and new-born services (excluding neonatal intensive care)
• Health services for children and young people
• Infertility services
• Continuing health care for people with on-going health needs

And from today (1 April 2019), Devon CCG will take responsibility for commissioning primary care (mainly GP) services in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, a role which formerly belonged to NHS England.

Dr Johnson added: “This is great news and gives us the ability to commission primary, community, mental health, and acute care services to meet the needs of patients in a much more joined-up way.”

A key role in Devon

Devon CCG, like its two forerunner CCGs, will also play a pivotal role in the county’s Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), which brings together health and local authority partners to address how local services will evolve to deliver a vision of better health, better care and improved efficiency.

The CCG will play a key role in the STP’s work to develop Devon’s version of the recently published NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to make the NHS fit for the future, and to get the most value for patients out of every pound of taxpayers’ investment.

Like all CCGs, Devon CCG is a clinically-led member organisation and is made up of 130 member GP practices in Devon, all of which are rated either good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Children across the south west are victims of sexual exploitation. But while media reports often highlight cases of adult grooming and child abuse, Devon and Cornwall Police say the most likely form of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the south west is perpetrated by other young people.

It’s sometimes referred to as ‘peer on peer’ exploitation, and its victims are young males and young females.

“People may be unaware that CSE can be perpetrated by young people aged 18 or younger, and they themselves may also have been victims of CSE,” says Detective Chief Inspector Alison Lander, Devon & Cornwall Police and Force lead for CSE.

Recent research led by Plymouth’s Safeguarding Children’s Board found little awareness and understanding among young people of peer on peer sexual exploitation.

Their research showed that this form of exploitation in particular was not widely recognised or understood as a crime, which is preventing children from reporting it.

They found that young people are also not reporting sexual exploitation because they worry that doing so would lose them friendships; they’re concerned about how their parents might react; or that they’ll be seen as wasting police time.

Monday 18 March is a national awareness day for highlighting CSE.

Authorities across the peninsula are using the day to say to children and young people,

“If you are put in a situation where you feel pressured sexually, please report it. It’s OK to tell someone.”

Lisa’s story

Lisa, (not her real name).

Lisa is 15 years old and lives with her mother. She began to go missing, leaving the house during the middle of the night to meet peers, and there were concerns about her drinking alcohol during while out.

Her behaviour in school and at home deteriorated with no clear reason. Her mum found information on Lisa’s phone, indicating that she had become sexually active, and having unprotected sex.

Lisa said that she’d exchanged indecent images of herself with some of boys at her school.

On occasions that she went missing, Lisa was drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis with her male friends. She’d had sex with one of the boys while under the influence, and he’d told his friends about it.

Lisa started getting messages from other boys asking her to send pictures of herself in her underwear. Lisa felt uncomfortable, but said ‘everyone sends nudes’. And besides, she felt it was nice to have boys be interested in her in that way.

One boy said that he could get some cannabis, and he offered some to Lisa in exchange for sex. She’s thought he was joking, but the boy repeated it a few times and on a later occasion with him, she went along with what he asked.

Early conversations about healthy relationships and consent are vital

Regional Head of Service for the NSPCC, Sharon Copsey, says:

“Having early conversations about healthy relationships and consent is vital to tackling child sexual exploitation before it starts. We know that young people don’t always understand that what’s happening to them is abuse.”

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Lander, said:

“Many young people who are being exploited do not realise they are at risk and will not ask for help. Some may see themselves as willing participants in such abuse, not realising that what is happening to them is illegal. It’s a difficult message to convey to young people, but it’s really important that they are aware of risk and how to avoid it. Crucially they need to know how to report it, and to have confidence to do so.

“The public can really help us detect and prevent CSE among young people by knowing the signs and reporting any concerns they have.

“It’s not just parents, or teachers and carers who can help spot the signs of CSE. Anyone working in a service industry, such as taxi drivers and hotel workers, shop keepers – anyone who may be able to spot vulnerable young people who may be at risk of exploitation or in an exploitative relationship – can also help to spot the signs and to report any concerns.”

Local organisations working together to tackle child sexual abuse

Andy Bickley, Independent Chair of Plymouth Safeguarding Children’s Board, said:

“We are committed to working with local organisations to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation and CSE Day is the ideal opportunity to help improve awareness.

“This latest research shows that it isn’t just adults that exploit children and young people, it can also be their peers, so it’s really important that we make sure our young people know what the dangers are, and also what support is available.”

Schools across the South West and services that work with young people, are actively raising awareness of CSE among young people. Parents and guardians are being encouraged to do the same at home.

Find out more about child sexual exploitation, and how to spot the signs

To find out more about child sexual exploitation, and how to spot the signs, visit the Devon Children and Families Partnership website.

There are a number of local and national agencies that can help, including Barnado’s, NWG, NSPCC, as well as local Safeguarding Children’s Boards including the NHS, Social Care, Education and the Police.

More information about Child Sexual Exploitation and NWG’s CSE Awareness Day, 18 March 2019, is available online Devon and Cornwall Police’s website.

From 1 April 2019, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be a new statutory organisation, with a membership of 131 GP practices across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

It will be formed from the two CCGs in Devon:

1. NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG
2. NHS South Devon and Torbay CCG

Busy people in Plymouth who struggle to get to the doctor in working hours can now see a GP during evenings and weekends.

The aim of the GP improved access service is to make it easier for people to get an appointment at a time that suits them.

The new scheme is an extension of the usual GP practice services that patients across Devon will be used to – it is not a walk-in service. Patients will still need to contact their GP practices directly to make an appointment if they want to see a GP between the longer opening hours during weekday evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

When using the improved-hours service, patients might not be able to see their usual doctor. However, the GP they see can also prescribe medication or refer the patient for further treatment if necessary.

Dr Dafydd Jones, a GP in Plympton, said: “Good access to GP services is very important and our aim is to increase the number of appointments available and extend opening times.

“We know people lead busy lives so we want to make it easier for patients to get an appointment and by making appointments available in the evenings and at weekends, we can ensure patients can see a doctor or a nurse at a time that is more convenient for them.

“If the need isn’t urgent and the patient would prefer to see their usual GP or practice nurse, they should book an appointment with their usual practice during normal opening hours.”
Patients are advised to contact their own GP practice for more information about the improved access service and how they can make appointments.

Improved access to GP appointments is just one of the ways the NHS is helping you to stay well this winter.

Other winter advice from the NHS includes:

• Think MIU! If you or a loved one have an injury or minor illness this winter, remember your local Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). Highly qualified staff are at Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Cumberland MIUs 365 days a year. For more information, click on www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/miu
• NHS 111. NHS 111 is now available online (111.nhs.uk) as well as by phone (dial 111) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The online service uses the same clinical algorithms as the phone service, taking you through questions about your symptoms to receive tailored advice on what to do next and where to go, and if needed, you will be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist or GP.
• Try your pharmacy first if you have a minor illness and are not sure whether to visit your doctor. GP practices and hospital emergency departments are often under even more pressure at this time of year and pharmacies can provide a fast route to medication for minor ailments like aches and pains, sore throat, coughs, colds, flu-like symptoms, runny noses, earache and skin rashes.
• It’s not too late to get your flu jab. Older people, very young people, pregnant women and those with underlying disease, particularly chronic respiratory or cardiac disease, or those who are immunosuppressed, are at particular risk of severe illness if they catch flu. People in at-risk groups qualify for a free vaccine – talk to your GP practice or local pharmacy for details.