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Author: Sian McCosh

Groundbreaking trans health service making a difference to lives in Sefton

10 March 2023
Sian McCosh
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

A dedicated trans health service is providing medical support and guidance for residents across Sefton.

Trans Health Sefton was set up in 2017 by Sefton’s two former Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) before they became part of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, which now funds the service, in 2022. It was designed with the support of patients and healthcare professionals, to provide medical support for people whose gender identity is different from their assigned gender at birth.

Dr Anna Ferguson and Jenny Owen receive the award
Dr Anna Ferguson and Jenny Owen receive the award

Award winning

The service has been recognised as the first of its kind and won an award in the Primary Care Innovation category at the National Healthcare Transformation Awards in 2019.

Based at Bootle Strand, Trans Health Sefton has proved to be a great success with trans residents in the local community, with one patient saying: “I don’t think that I can imagine better care.”

Speaking about the service, Dr Anna Hunter, Service Lead for Trans Health Sefton said: “Trans health is so often overlooked, and it leaves people not knowing where to turn to get the support they need.

“I started Trans Health Sefton to provide a safe space for people who are struggling with their gender identity or whose gender differs from what they were assigned at birth.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to help patients of all ages and to be there for them as they take the brave steps to being who they want to be.”

Support and guidance

Anyone who is registered with a Sefton GP can be referred to Trans Health Sefton. This referral can be made by a healthcare professional or via a self-referral through the practice.

Following referral and assessment, Trans Health Sefton can support patients with care planning, assistance with hormone therapy treatment, administrative tasks such as making a legal name change. It can also help with guidance for patients and their families.

The service works closely with health and support organisations across the region to signpost residents to the best and most appropriate healthcare available to them.

You can find out more about Trans Health Sefton, here. 

Making a difference

Anna added: “Trans Health Sefton is a real example of grass roots innovation and co-design, where service users and voluntary, community and faith organisations worked together with medical and other health professionals to develop the service.

“We are proud of the work our service has done and the difference it has made.

“It has been so successful that our assessment and treatment pathways were adopted in 2020 as a pilot for gender identity clinics across the country.”

Anthony Griffin, chair of Sefton based trans non-binary and intersex support group In-Trust and who played a central role in the design of the service, said: “Looking back over the last few years on the overwhelming success of Trans Health Sefton, it’s important to remember there is much still to be done, so that this important service is available across the region.

“Now more than ever the former Sefton CCG are to be commended for ensuring the future of this unique service.”

Councillor Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “It is deeply important to us at Sefton Council along with our partners in health and care that all of our residents have access to the right level of healthcare.

“We are delighted to have Trans Health Sefton providing life-changing care for residents in Sefton and I’m sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

You can find out more about Trans Health Sefton, here. 

Tickets on sale for Salt and Tar’s Comedy Festival

24 February 2023
Sian McCosh
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Categories: Bootle Strand, Front Page, Latest News, Regeneration, Your Sefton

Tickets are now on sale for the first Comedy Weekender to be held at Salt and Tar, Bootle’s brand-new events space.

Top comedians including Jason Byrne, Jo Caulfield and Scott Bennett will perform at the venue over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May.

Packed bill

Merseyside comedian Chris McCausland will feature alongside Patrick Monahan and Nina Gilligan in the curtain-raising Comedy Night on Friday 26th May.

A room with disco lights, an inflatable unicorn and two people in costume smiling at the cameraBingo Nights UK will bring their Disco Bingo show on Saturday 27th May, which will have the entire room up and dancing, hosted by comedian and presenter Brendan Riley, while raising money for charity.

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May sees family-friendly fun come to Salt and Tar, with comedy bingo featuring Britain’s Got Talent star Steve Royle, and Martin “Bigpig” Mor presenting Funny Stuff For Happy People.

Byrne, Caulfield and Bennett will appear on Sunday 28th May to round off the weekend.

Tickets for the events start from ÂŁ5 and are available from See Tickets.

More to come

Salt and Tar’s emerging 2023 events programme also includes a Music Festival, due to be held over two weekends in July. Red Rum Club will be just one of the bands appearing at the festival, which has already sold out online.

A full programme for the coming year, includes a Food and Drink Festival, outdoor cinema screenings, community events and live music, markets and beer festivals. A Christmas event is also being developed.

Brand new

Salt and Tar. Made in Bootle.

At Sefton Council’s Cabinet Meeting last month, members agreed the new Salt and Tar brand that has been developed as part of an updated Strategy and Business Plan. It refers to Bootle’s rich industrial heritage, with the Brotherton’s Tar Distillery on Hawthorne Road and the area’s historic link to the salt trade.

When questioned, people said Salt and Tar was ‘easy to remember’ and ‘short, sweet, and creative’. They also described it as being ‘catchy and flows well’ and ‘something you would remember,’.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “Events already held at Bootle Canalside have shown us that they attract people to The Strand and the town centre so I’m pleased to see this important step forward in developing this impressive new brand for the area and the beginnings of an exciting programme for 2023.

“Anyone visiting the site will see that work is underway, the fence along the canal has already been removed with plans to provide an attractive entertainment complex with covered areas, bars and food outlets and canalside access scheduled for completion later this year.”

The development of Salt and Tar branding and events programme is part of Sefton Council’s work to cement the area’s role and contribute to the revitalisation of The Strand and wider Bootle town centre economy.

Tickets for the Comedy festival can be purchased at https://www.seetickets.com/tour/salt-and-tar-comedy-weekender

Sefton Council launches Extra Care Housing consultation

13 February 2023
Sian McCosh
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Local Consultation, Your Sefton

A consultation seeking views on Sefton Council’s Extra Care allocation guidelines is now underway.

As part of its Sefton 2030 vision, the Council pledged to ensure that residents have a choice of housing within the Borough. As part of this, work has begun to develop a number of Extra Care housing facilities.

Living independently

Extra Care housing is designed for older and vulnerable residents and enables people to live independently while having easy access to on-site care and support when needed. As well as providing a home for residents who have a care need, it will ensure that couples can remain housed together and that older carers are supported.

Sefton Council are aiming to develop 1300 homes across fifteen developments in Sefton by 2036.

Feedback encouraged

Sefton residents are being invited to share their views on the Extra Care Allocation Policy, which details the eligibility and process for applying to Extra Care Housing in the Borough. Respondents will be asked to comment on a draft policy which covers areas such as age, care and financial eligibility.

Cllr Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “Giving our residents who require care the support to live independently for longer is one of the Council’s key areas of focus.

“I’m delighted that we are moving forward with Extra Care Housing, which promises to give older people the greater control and choice over their own care.

“Hearing from the public is always a vital part of these processes and I’m looking forward to hearing what people have to say.”

Cllr Hardy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “We want to ensure that people in Sefton have plenty of housing options available to them, and the introduction of over 500 Extra Care homes will be of great benefit to older residents in the Borough.

“The aim is to develop communities that people enjoy being part of and take pride in, and your views are key to helping us to achieve this goal.”

Have your say

The consultation was launched last week (Friday 10th February) and will run until Monday 27th March 2023. The results will be used to shape the future of Sefton’s Extra Care Housing.

Anyone wanting take to part in the consultation can do so by taking part in a short survey at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/

Further information can be found at https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing

Sefton Council takes a moment to reflect for Race Equality Week

6 February 2023
Sian McCosh
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

As part of its support for Race Equality Week, Sefton Council is encouraging the Borough’s employers and their employees to break down the barriers to race equality in the workplace.

Starting today and running to Sunday 12th February, Race Equality Week encourages organisations to make small, achievable changes in order to tackle race inequality within their workforce.

A study by TUC has shown that two in five workers of an ethnic minority in the UK reported experiencing racism at work in the last five years and one in seven reported facing unfair criticism. Race Equality Matters, who run the annual campaign, are urging organisations to commit to supporting the anti-racism effort.

To support workplaces and end this waste of talent and opportunity, Race Equality Matters have developed a five-day challenge. Each day, people are asked to take five minutes to self-reflect about their own behaviours and attitudes. On the final day, they are asked to make a set of personal promises that will help pave the path to equality.

Sefton Council, 2.24% of whose workforce consider themselves to be an ethnic minority, is encouraging its own employees and organisations and companies across the Borough to take part in the challenge as it aims to enhance the diversity of its workforce.

A series of short videos, filmed by members of the Council’s Executive Leadership Team will be released across the week to showcase the importance of self-reflection and the steps that Sefton Council has taken and will take to tackle race inequality within its own workforce.

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson, said:
“The Council is proud to be supporting Race Equality Week and we encourage those who live and work in Sefton, where 4% of residents consider themselves to be an ethnic minority, to take time to reflect on how they can support race equality within their own lives.

“Change starts with self-reflection, and we will continue to make visible changes to make our workplace and Borough an inclusive and diverse place in which to live and work.”

People can find out more about Race Equality Week and how they can get involved, at https://www.raceequalitymatters.com/5-day-challenge/ 

To watch the short videos, people can visit Sefton Council’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/seftoncouncil, Twitter or Facebook pages throughout the week as a new video will be added each day. You can see the first video, featuring Sefton Council’s Chief Executive, Dwayne Johnson, below.

Sefton Council’s Assistant Director Life Course Commissioning appointed

27 January 2023
Sian McCosh
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council

Following a thorough recruitment process, Sefton Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Eleanor Moulton as its first Assistant Director of Life Course Commissioning.

Life Course Commissioning is the planning and contracting of services to support vulnerable people’s wellbeing and improve their opportunities throughout their lives. This starts with pre-birth health and continues right through to positive experiences of ageing.

A headshot of Eleanor MoultonEleanor’s role will also influence wider planning of services to improve health and wellbeing outcomes and integration across the Borough through Sefton’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Eleanor said: “I feel really pleased to be appointed in this role and I’m excited to play my part in the important work we will do for the community. I look forward to working closely alongside our partners to continue the Council’s excellent work in providing care services for its residents.

“I am keen to do everything I can to lead the Commissioning team and work with our fantastic partners organisations to ensure we have excellent services in Sefton for residents who need care so that they are able to remain independent at home wherever possible.”

Eleanor will work closely with local partners, including the Community and Voluntary Sector, Public Health, Primary Care Networks, and the NHS. She will report to Deborah Butcher, Executive Director and NHS Place Director for Sefton, and will be joining the Sefton Place Executive Leadership Team in her new role.

Deborah Butcher said: “Eleanor’s appointment as Assistant Director Life Course Commissioning is great news and I am looking forward to working closely with her in the future.

“This role is a vital addition to Sefton Council, ensuring that we are able to deliver high-quality services for vulnerable people across the Borough. Care and support are needed throughout every stage of life, and we are delighted to introduce a role to continue building on our work in this field.”

The robust selection process for Eleanor’s role included technical and stakeholder interviews, with the decision being made by the Council’s Employment Committee, made up of Cabinet Members, last month.

Currently the Council’s Integrated Health and Care Manager, Eleanor brings a great deal of experience in specialised commissioning gained from a number of senior roles in local authorities and her work at NHS England.

In her current role, Eleanor has supported the development of the Sefton Partnership that brings Health, Social Care and partners together.

Established in 2022, Sefton Partnership brings together organisations across the Borough to strengthen the way they work together for the benefit of residents.

People can find out more about Sefton Council’s social care and health commissioning service at: www.sefton.gov.uk/care-and-health-commissioning

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