Latest news with #BuryGPFederation
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Social prescribing serves up a winner for long Covid sufferer
'It's the perfect medicine to feeling brighter after years of darkness.' That's how one man has described his "social prescription" to a Bury-based tennis group while struggling with the physical and mental impact of long Covid. Five years on from the pandemic, Stephen Finneran (43), from Prestwich, said: 'Covid hit me hard. "From an active life including playing football every week and enjoying tennis, badminton and regular 20-mile hikes with friends, I was wiped out with severe fatigue and shortness of breath. I was unable to work as an archivist, and I felt like life had been taken from me.' One of an estimated 1.9 million people in England and Scotland living with long Covid, Stephen outlined how medication alone has not been the answer to his condition. He said: 'Being unable to work, play competitive sport or walk for any length of time without struggling to breathe, reduced my world. "I couldn't talk without quickly becoming breathless and this made me socially isolated and affected my mental health. "For someone used to being out and about with others this was brutal.' Supported by Julie Marshall - one of a team of 10 social prescribers working across GP practices in Bury, Prestwich and Whitefield - Stephen has taken up walking tennis. He said: 'It enables me to play a sport I love at a pace I can cope with, plus meet other people. I'm already feeling the benefits, both physically and mentally." Bury GP Federation figures show that in the 10 months from May 2024 more than 5,850 patients have benefited from "social prescriptions" which address social, emotional and practical needs to improve patient mental and physical wellbeing. It's a service that favours 'more talk than tablets". Creating personalised care plans, social prescribers connect people to community groups and social activities – from drop-ins to support social isolation and mental health, to arts and crafts, sporting opportunities and green prescribing. The team also helps patients with advice regarding debt and job issues, homelessness and welfare benefits. The combination of social prescribing and the council teaming up with We Do Tennis CIC, has certainly made a difference to Stephen. He added: 'Long Covid limited my life. Now I'm slowly getting it back.' A list of what's on locally to benefit the borough's patients are shared via community centres, voluntary groups, GP practices and via social media including Prestwich and Whitefield Primary Care Network on Facebook and Horizon PCN (covering six GP practices) For more details, or to self-refer, please email the social prescribing team:
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors urge people to get medical help from these places amid 'sharp rise' in winter illnesses
Doctors are urging people to get help as the cold weather is resulting in a sharp rise in winter illnesses - putting pressure on GPs and hospitals. Flu and Covid cases in hospital are continuing to put pressure on NHS services, say health chiefs. Medical Director of the Bury GP Federation, Dr Kiran Patel, said: 'During the winter months we see a sharp rise in people with respiratory infections and this puts pressure on primary care services like general practice, as well as hospitals." Patients struggling with winter illnesses that affect their breathing can get faster, specialised medical help from acute respiratory hubs in the north west that can help prevent them needing a hospital admission, say doctors. The region has 19 acute respiratory infections (ARI) hubs, which operate in a wide range of health service locations, from general practices and health centres to hospital urgent treatment centres. READ MORE: Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver reveals 'absolute glam' of soap with co-star after heartbreaking news READ MORE: Boots shoppers say they get 'stopped in the street' over 'stunning' £52 perfume The hubs help people get treatment to manage their symptoms early, preventing them from becoming more seriously unwell, says the NHS. NHS England North West Medical Director for Primary Care, Dr Paula Cowan, said: 'In the north west, acute respiratory hubs are working to help and actively manage people with respiratory illnesses. This is a proactive way to meet the seasonal demand for respiratory care. 'We're focusing on keeping people well at home where possible, so they do not need to go to hospital, and ensuring they get the care they need most. 'The idea is that by offering specialist treatment closer to home, the outcome for patients improves and the strain on hospitals also decreases at a time when our hospitals are seeing lots of people coming through the doors.' Acute respiratory hubs are staffed by multidisciplinary teams, including GPs or advanced nurse practitioners, and are usually well connected with respiratory teams in hospitals for immediate advice. People are usually referred by their GP practice, and sometimes via NHS 111 or A&Es. Clinical Lead for Respiratory Medicine in Greater Manchester, and local GP, Dr Murugesan Raja, said: 'These have been running over the last few years. The service offers same day urgent face to face appointments for adults and children with a respiratory illness with or without a pre-existing chronic illness. 'The majority of the patients were treated within general practice with only a very small percentage requiring further treatment in hospital, therefore reducing the overall demand on the urgent care system at one of its most pressured times.' For people who do not need the help of an acute respiratory hub, there are many things you can do to help manage symptoms of winter viruses at home, urge doctors. Dr Cowan said: 'With winter viruses still circulating, it's a good idea for people to stock their medicine cabinets with home remedies for coughs, colds, flu and upset stomachs – and seek health advice early if they become unwell to avoid becoming more seriously ill.' 'Winter is always a challenging time for the NHS, but together, we can make a difference. Please think carefully about where to go for help and leave A&E for those who really need it. 'While most minor illnesses can be managed at home, it is important to know when to seek help. When feeling worse it is important to get help sooner before it leads to serious illness. 'If you're worried about your symptoms or those of a loved one, use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 for advice. In an emergency, always call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.' NHS 111 is also available 24/7 and can guide you to the right service for your needs, including arranging out-of-hours GP appointments if necessary. The NHS website provides an A-Z guide for managing most conditions at For children's symptoms, Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Trust has developed an online symptom checker for children.
