OCCG Weekly Bulletin
Wednesday 24 August 2016
Included in this bulletin:
  • IMPORTANT - Electronic Letters for Transplant Patients
  • Healthcare Transformation Website
  • Age UK Circles of Support
  • Free Spaces Available – 18 October Talk Cancer Open Access Course in the Thames Valley
  • GP Masterclass Event– Lung Cancer
  • Phone app to help patients find services quickly

Information for Practices
IMPORTANT - Electronic Letters for Transplant Patients:
Please note from 15 August 2016Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Renal and Transplant service clinical letters relating to the medical transplant follow up care of transplant patients will now be sent to Oxfordshire GPs electronically. A paper copy of the letter will no longer be mailed out.
Return to top
------
Healthcare Transformation Website:
Oxfordshire’s Healthcare Transformation Programme website site carries the latest information and updates about the healthcare transformation programme, including opportunities for patients, carers and the wider public to get involved and have their say in shaping the way services are delivered in Oxfordshire in the future.
You can access the site here. You can find documents on the site outlining the case for change to patients, the public and NHS staff.
Return to top
------
Age UK Circles of Support:
If you are working with someone who is lonely or isolated and has significant health needs, the Circles of Support community networker in your Integrated Locality Team can help. Through social prescribing, they help people to re-establish activities and relationships in their local communities, connecting them to social and creative activities, companionship, welfare benefits, pendant alarms and equipment, housing and safety advice, domestic help, transport and opportunities to contribute and more.
GPs can refer via SPA to the community networker in your area. To make a referral please telephone SPA: 01865 903750 (fax: 01865 262313). A proforma for referral is also available on EMIS.
A short survey on Survey Monday (nine questions) has been sent to Community Health Teams to gather feedback on the Circles of Support Community Networker Service. Age UK have requested for it also to be distributed to GPs. To access the survey please visit this link: The deadline is 5 September 2016.
Return to top
------
Free Spaces Available! – 18 October Talk Cancer Open Access Course in the Thames Valley:
Cancer Research UK are running a Talk Cancer seminar on the 18 October; normally these sessions are £120 per participant. However, there are six bursary places available for Oxfordshire/Swindon.
This is a great opportunity for practice nurses as there are currently six free places available (although backfill and transport will not be covered. If you are interested please apply using the attached forms here
Return to top
------
GP Masterclass Event – Lung Cancer:
OCCG are hosting some free evening workshops, with supper provided to talk about the new NICE guidelines and the new tumour specific referral pathways. OUHT specialists will be there to offer advice and discuss difficult cases and help provide links. This is the second of many workshops based around tumour sites and will be taking place on 21 September from 6.30-9.00pm at Jubilee House, Oxford. Please click here for more information and registration details.
There was some positive feedback by GPs from the first event stating that the event was ‘very worthwhile’.
Return to top
------
Phone app to help patients find services quickly:
Please download our phone app ‘Health and Care Oxfordshire’ to help people find the most appropriate service if they are unwell or need advice and support.
The device can be downloaded at normal app stores: Android hereiPhone here
For more information about the app see here
Return to top
------
To give us your feedback please email: