When you visit your GP with a health concern they may refer you to a hospital or community service to see a specialist. For example, if you are experiencing a skin or stomach issue your GP may refer you to a hospital or community service who will then decide what your next appropriate step will be.

This is done electronically between your GP surgery and the hospital or community service, known as a virtual appointment or virtual clinic. This currently includes any service for dermatology (via HealthHarmonie) or gastroenterology services (Cannock Chase Hospital and New Cross Hospital – run by Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust).

When the next appropriate step is decided you will be contacted by the hospital or community service. This often includes an appointment with a specialist or to have further tests.

Patients in Staffordshire are being urged to help in the fight to ensure antibiotics remain effective ways to treat bacterial infections.

Antibiotics are a vital tool for modern medicine, and the effective treatment of infections like pneumonia, meningitis and tuberculosis. They also prevent infections from occurring during surgical procedures and cancer treatment.

Do you or someone you know have diabetes?

A community group for people with diabetes has been set up to offer support and information from people with similar experiences. The group is hoped to increased awareness and public knowledge of diabetes as well as offer advice around healthy lifestyle choices that can help many people avoid or delay the onset of Diabetes. The group will also see some professional support from Diabetes Nurses and other Health Care professionals.

Health leaders throughout much of Staffordshire want to hear about the experience of patients receiving treatment for a wide range of heart conditions.

An online cardiology survey has been launched by the three CCGs that cover Stafford and its surrounding areas, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Burntwood, Tamworth and South Staffordshire. Cariology covers a wide range of heart conditions.

This month the CCG is focussing on keeping your heart healthy. A balanced diet and regular physical activity can help you keep your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels, and improve your heart health.

A healthy lifestyle can also lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a risk factor for Coronary heart disease (CHD), and help prevent other health problems, such as kidney disease and some cancers.

Find out how a healthy lifestyle helps you look after your heart.

Two GPs and a specialist nurse are to help spearhead the campaign to improve cancer survival rates in southern Staffordshire.

New guides for patients will make it easier for those with disabilities to use GP online services.  Those with hearing and sight loss, autism and learning disabilities can download free guides. Download GP online services easy read patient guides

Your eyes are an important part of your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Here are a few simple steps to maintaining healthy eyes:

Having a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to really be sure how healthy your eyes are, and how good your vision is. In addition, many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration often have no warning signs. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages.

The NHS and leading burns surgeons have issued new first aid guidance to help ensure victims of acid attacks get the right help fast.

The assistance for victims comes as new data from NHS England show the number of people requiring specialist medical help for this type of assault is on the rise. In 2014, 16 people required specialist medical advice, rising to 25 in 2015 and increasing further to 32 last year. The level of demand for specialist burns help so far in 2017 suggests there will be another rise in patient numbers this year.

We introduced a staff Achievement of the Month Award aligned to the CCG values. The monthly award, which has been ongoing since last year, gives staff the opportunity to recognise and/or thank individual colleagues or teams for something they have done over the previous month.

We are pleased to announce that the latest winner is Vanessa Ridout, Executive Assistant to Lynn Millar, Director of Primary Care. Vanessa was nominated by her colleagues in the Primary Care Team for transforming the administrative support to the team and constantly providing advice, support and reassurance. Her nomination, and subsequent winning of the award, reflects the CCGs value of “we are honest, accessible and we listen”.