Our local Primary Care Network (PCN, NHS) which is part of the South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (SSCCG), have kindly recognised the potential for a variety of physical and psychological health benefits associated with our project which is compatible with the PCN’s goals for primary care. We are particularly grateful to Dr Craig Gillespie (Deputy Director) and Dr Pete Chamberlain (link for Maghull) and their friendly team for sharing our vision for the project.

FOMD and Phil Dillon (MTC Community Services Manager) were invited to a really positive Zoom meeting this week to discuss the project further and how the health, council and voluntary services can support each other. We think it will represent a brilliant partnership in the future and benefit the whole community immensely.

The wonderful donation has been provided following the completion of stage I crowdunding, which means that the final total stated has increased to £28,228.

For further information and links about our local (1) PCN and (2) SSCCG please see below:

(1) PCNs are groups of GP practices who have agreed to work together, though a formal agreement to: – to support the development and sustainability of general practice services – work with other partners in their community to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. PCN Networks presentation December 2019 v2.pdf (sefton.gov.uk)

(2) We are NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and we are made up of local doctors, nurses, practice staff and lay members who are well placed to know the health needs and views of people living in the area. We are a membership organisation bringing together 30 doctor’s surgeries covering an area from Hightown in the north, Bootle in the south and Melling and Lydiate to the east. Together we are responsible for planning and buying, or ‘commissioning’, the majority of local health services that south Sefton residents may need.

We are responsible for commissioning the following services: • Nearly all hospital services – such as routine operations, maternity services and outpatient clinics

• Nearly all mental health services – apart from specialist and secure mental health services • Community services – like blood testing, district nursing, podiatry and community clinics for conditions such as diabetes and dermatology

• GP out of hours service – this service ensures that people can get treatment from a doctor if they need to when their surgery is closed for the evening, at weekends or Bank Holidays We support our member GP practices to be actively involved in the work of the CCG. Much of our work is carried out in GP practice ‘localities’, covering four geographical areas, so practices can really focus on addressing the health needs of their individual communities.

Each locality is chaired by a GP and provides an opportunity for other professionals in practices, such as nurses and support staff to get involved in our work. Localities also gain commissioning support from our small team of experienced CCG managers to give practical help and advice. Our four localities are:

• Bootle

• Crosby

• Maghull

• Seaforth and Litherland South Sefton CCG