by Paul Scully | Sep 26, 2016 | News |
Recently I attended a Patient Information Session hosted by the Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) at the Sutton Life Centre.
NHS Sutton CCG and Sutton GP Practices are working in partnership to bring together local NHS services, social services and voluntary groups and organisations at health information sessions across the borough to improve the health and well-being of Sutton residents.
Participants have the opportunity to speak with local professionals from health, social care and voluntary organisations who support older people, people living with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and parents of young children.
The event I went along to focused specifically on COPD. This is the name used to describe a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Whilst I was there, I had the privilege of meeting with local support organisations that assist people living with COPD. One of the organisations I met with was the Sutton Carers Centre. Sutton Carers Centre supports unpaid Carers who live or work in the London Borough of Sutton. They provide advice, information and emotional support, help with benefit forms/accessing funds, counselling, breaks e.g. complementary therapies, support groups, and much more.
I also met with Sutton Shopmobility, which is a charity set up to loan wheelchairs, scooters and mobility equipment to people with mobility problems, and with the Respiratory Service at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.
I want to thank the Sutton CCG for inviting me to this event to learn more about how these patient information sessions work, and what they can offer patients. To find out more about what they do, or to attend one in the future, you can get more information on their website here.
Thank you also to the Sutton Carers Centre, Sutton Shopmobility and the Respiratory Service at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust for the work they do in the local community, and for talking to me about their service.
by Paul Scully | Sep 25, 2016 | News |
Recently I visited the C
heam Village branch of the William Hill betting shop to discuss the gambling industry and responsible gambling.
It is well known that the number of betting shops on our high streets are on the rise, and I am particularly concerned about fixed odds betting machines (FOBTs). I used this opportunity to see how they operated and to discuss my concerns with the shop manager, regional director and public affairs officer.
The Cheam branch manager also told me that the Cheam branch has mainly regular customers with traditional racing bets making up the majority of their business.
They were also kind enough to let me put a charity bet on. I put £25 on Leicester to beat Chelsea, but despite going 2-0 up, they lost. So now I’m reliant on Laura Trott to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year to pay out £175 for my chosen charity.
I want to thank the staff at William Hill for having me and talking to me about responsible gambling.
by Paul Scully | Sep 24, 2016 | News |
Stoptober – the 28 day campaign from Public Health England that encourages and supports smokers across the country to quit smoking for good- returns for its fifth year from 1 October.
Stoptober is the biggest mass quit attempt in the country and is based on research that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stay smoke free for good.
With LiveWell Sutton, there is even more support to help you quit smoking for good such as stop-smoking programmes, confidential one-to-one support, weekly drop-in sessions and a range of medication available on prescription.
Alex Russell, Health Improvement Manager for LiveWell Sutton, said: “This campaign has always been really popular with people wanting to stop smoking and provides an excellent opportunity for residents to re-evaluate their smoking habits and quit for good.”
She said: “With Stoptober and the level of support that LiveWell provides for people in the local community, there isn’t a better time to stub out those cigarettes for good. Our Stop Smoking Specialists understand how difficult this can be and, by offering flexible support to meet different healthcare needs, we can help you every step of the way.”
LiveWell offer a range of locally based services in Sutton to help you stop-smoking. You can take part in a six week stop smoking programme on a one-to-one basis.
In the 12-week programme, LiveWell will help set a quit date with you and advise you on using the right medication (products such as nicotine replacement therapy) measure your carbon monoxide readings using a simple breath test. The advisors will keep in touch with you by phone between three to six months after you quit.
Search ‘Stoptober’ online to find out about a range of free and proven support available to help you start your quitting journey for 28 days and beyond.
LiveWell can offer you a friendly FREE chat with one of its trained Stop Smoking Specialists, who will help you to set and achieve your personal, health related goals. To book an appointment call the LiveWell team on 0208 973 3540, email them on hrch.livewell@nhs.net or use their self-referral form to enter your contact details and the LiveWell team will get in touch
by Paul Scully | Sep 22, 2016 | News, Uncategorized |
This week is National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW). It is a time when member Air Ambulance Charities come together across the county, giving a national voice, raising awareness of the lifesaving service provided by local air ambulance services.
The first nationally-coordinated National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW) in 2012 proved an excellent focal point for charities to raise awareness and boost their fundraising.
The aim is that this annual week will make many more people aware of the work of air ambulances.
Events held across the country over the years have varied from ‘Be a Hero’ dress up days, at schools and businesses, to ‘Go Yellow’ and ‘Go Red’ weeks where local businesses and members of the public were encouraged to adopt the colour by having themed displays, wearing the colour for the day, holding themed events such as a yellow cake sale or red themed quiz.
You can find out more about National Air Ambulance Week here.
Sutton’s local air ambulance is London’s Air Ambulance. As you can see from the infographic on the left, London’s Air Ambulance has already treated 10 people in Sutton so far this year. Whilst this is a small number compared to the rest of London and I am glad Sutton residents are staying safe, I still want to pay tribute to London’s Air Ambulance for being there for Sutton residents when we need them.
You can do your bit for NAAW by donating online here or by texting ‘CHARITY’ to 70099 to donate £5.
You can even hold you own event to raise money for London’s Air Ambulance by visiting the NAAW website.
by Paul Scully | Sep 21, 2016 | News |
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the parent company of Southern and Thameslink, has launched a consultation which sets out proposed changes to the timetable which will be operated by GTR in 2018.
The performance of GTR trains has been one of the biggest issues that constituents have contacted me about since I was elected last May. Along with a cross-party group of MPs, I have been calling for action to make life easier for commuters who are currently having to deal with an unacceptable level of service.
Therefore I would encourage everyone to take part in this consultation and make their voices heard.
You can take part in the Southern timetable consultation here and the Thameslink timetable consultation here.
NHS Sutton CCG and Sutton GP Practices are working in partnership to bring together local NHS services, social services and voluntary groups and organisations at health information sessions across the borough to improve the health and well-being of Sutton residents.
