The CCG’s Governing Body meets in public every month and is a great way for people to find out how the CCG is making a difference.
At the last meeting, there were several thought-provoking items including one on the local cancer profile.
The governing body heard that cancer is the biggest cause of deaths in adults in eastern Cheshire and that more than half the local population will be affected by cancer.
However, research showed that 40 per cent of cancer cases a year are caused by behaviour which can be changed – such as smoking, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption and ultra violet light exposure.
As such, we will work alongside our colleagues in Public Health at Cheshire East Council to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage eastern Cheshire residents to make positive changes to prevent ill-health.
It was great to find out about the good work being done by my CCG colleagues to map problem areas and to tackle them accordingly.
There was also a ‘deep dive’ analysis of our Systems Resilience Group (SRG), in other words, what we have being doing to ensure health services cope with the varying demands for urgent care, particularly during the winter months.
Drawing on our experience from previous years, we will be taking a preventative approach to chest infections – particularly for people with long-term conditions – as well as investing in services across health and social care for older people with complex needs.
Plans will also focus on supporting people at home where possible, as well as helping people be discharged from hospital earlier.
This not only helps to keep people moving through the system at an appropriate pace and prevents unnecessary delays, but it’s also better for patients.
To find out what you can do to help ease pressure on the NHS at a difficult time of year, visit easterncheshireccg.nhs.uk and search for ‘Choose Well’.
The next governing body meeting is on January 27 at Macclesfield Town Hall.
<p/>Find out more at: easterncheshireccg.nhs.uk/Meetings/agendas-and-papers.htm.
