ULHT’s monthly column has been written by Clair Raybould, Director of Operations, NHS Lincolnshire CCG.
As the year gets underway is only right that we say thank you again to everyone across the county, for showing continued patience and support to Lincolnshire’s NHS. The past year has been another challenging one and the support from our communities continues to be invaluable.
The next few months are not going to be easy and it would be wrong to share with you anything other than a realistic, honest picture of the current challenges we face. Lincolnshire NHS is one of many NHS organisations under unprecedented pressure due to staff shortages. While this is not a new challenge, it has become more difficult because of COVID-19. Our staff are working extremely hard to make sure essential services are maintained and remain open for anyone who needs them.
We are here for you and if you need us, you must continue to come forward. We know the challenges we face as your local NHS have an impact on you, and we must continue to support each other and work together through these difficult times. There are several ways you can seek support while helping relieve the pressure on NHS staff.
Because of the backlog of work that has built up over the COVID-19 pandemic, waiting times for planned referrals are longer than usual. We understand the frustration this may cause and patients are being seen as quickly as possible, with the most urgent cases being prioritised. Please don’t contact GPs or local hospitals to ask for a referral to be speeded up. It isn’t possible as the most urgent cases have to be dealt with first. Helpful advice and information to help you ‘wait well’ is available, including advice on coping better while you are waiting.
Please only attend A&E with serious or life threatening illnesses, such as strokes, heart attacks, breathing problems or serious accidents. You can call 111 (available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year) when you need medical help fast but is not a 999 emergency. Many illnesses can be treated by visiting your local pharmacy (your local pharmacist can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints. without you having to go to your GP) calling your local GP, or GP out of hours services, or attending a walk in centre or minor injuries unit.
Anyone struggling with their mental health should not struggle alone. Support is available. If you’re feeling low, anxious or stressed, you can call the new mental health helpline in Lincolnshire (0800 001 4331), open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also find a range of resources and useful information here: Suicide SAFE – useful resources :: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust (lpft.nhs.uk)
Finally, please do get your COVID-19 booster vaccine to protect you and your family and reduce pressure on health services and, if you have not yet been vaccinated, please bear in mind that first doses are available and we will be very happy to welcome you.
On behalf of all colleagues throughout Lincolnshire NHS, thank you again for your continued patience and support.
Clair Raybould is Director of Operations at NHS Lincolnshire CCG
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Lincolnshire’s biggest rock festival was back with a bang over the weekend – after being delayed four times.
Thousands of rock fans descended on Lincolnshire Showground for Call Of The Wild festival, and were treated to a host of upcoming and well-established acts.
Headliners included Massive Wagons, Reckless Love, and Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, established by legendary Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell after the death of frontman Lemmy.
The four-day rock extravaganza also had many local bands on the billing, including Lincoln-based The Velvet Queens, who announced their new single ‘The Morning After..’ in collaboration with the festival itself.
Many of the attendees had bought early-bird tickets for the festival back in 2019, following the inaugural event three years ago.
Speaking to The Lincolnite Podcast, Dave O’Hara, co-founder of the festival, spoke of his gratitude to the ticket-holders for sticking by them through a difficult couple of years, and admitted the atmosphere at this year’s event had lit a fire within his team going forward.
Listen here:
Call Of The Wild festival started in 2019, and the second show has been pushed back numerous times due to changes in COVID-19 legislation, including one instance where the festival had to postpone just weeks prior to the guidance changing.
Improvements will be made to the cycle network between Pinchbeck and Spalding after the government awarded a payout of £1.8 million to fund Lincolnshire County Council’s Active Travel Plans.
The money allocated to Lincolnshire will be spent on improving facilities along both the Spalding and Pinchbeck roads, subject to feasibility.
The two communities of Pinchbeck and Spalding will be connected with a safe and direct active travel route while also linking up with the important destinations along Wardentree Lane and Enterprise Way.
This route was identified as a priority for active travel development during the council’s work with stakeholders on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Spalding.
Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’m delighted to see further active travel money coming to Lincolnshire. Active travel is something that can benefit all of our communities and I’m pleased to see the development of a route in the south of our county.
“Having been actively developing this idea for one of our Local Cycling and Walking Plans (LCWIPs) it’s clear to see that the benefits are going to be widely felt. This is a great success in one of our bids to the Department for Transport.
“Lincolnshire has invested in developing a LCWIP for each of our strategy board areas. We believe the LCWIPs will be the key for unlocking more of the active travel funding and we look forward to working with the DfT to develop more ideas from our plans for Lincolnshire.”
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