Hi everyone and welcome to my May blog.

I hope everyone has been enjoying the weather as it starts to brighten up and get a bit nicer.

We’ve had a busy month here at the CCG and I have a few things to update you on.

Firstly, you may have heard the news that our Accountable Officer, Maddy Ruff, has resigned from her post after three years with us. Maddy leaves in June to start a new role at Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership.

I’m sure you will join me in wishing Maddy well in her new role. She has worked hard to deliver financial balance for the CCG despite challenges, we have been rated as “good” by NHS England during this time and improved health outcomes for the people of Sheffield. Maddy was instrumental in getting funding for Sheffield to develop neighbourhoods, we are now 18 months ahead of most of the country. A process to recruit into the post will shortly get underway and we will keep you updated on the process.

In other news, last month I attended the Joint Commissioning Committee. The Joint Commissioning Committee is a meeting of representatives of Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet and the CCG’s Governing Body, with the purpose of agreeing joint health and social care commissioning plans for the city.

The session went well. One of the things we discussed is the need to develop a joined up approach to ensure people get the right care outside of hospital, and if they do need to be admitted to hospital that their stay is as short as possible.

You can read more about the meetings, and view papers, online here. The meeting is held in public and we take questions so if you have a keen interest in how services are commissioned jointly, please feel free to attend the next meeting.

I’ve been busy outside of work too, earlier in May I played with my band at the Yellow Arch Studios at their Big Band Lazy Sunday event. We had a great time and there was a big turn-out which was really nice.

Before I sign off I just want to remind you all how important it is to make sure you are up to date with your MMR vaccinations, especially as the summer months approach and people start to head off on holiday or to festivals. MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against 3 separate illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).

Cases of measles continue to be confirmed in Yorkshire and the Humber and children and young adults who haven’t had their vaccination are at risk, particularly if travelling to parts of Europe where there are large ongoing measles outbreaks.

Measles is extremely infectious and can cause serious symptoms so it’s really important to get your children vaccinated. Teenagers and young adults should also be fully vaccinated before travelling and attending festivals and other events where they will be in close proximity to large groups of people.

You can find out more about the MMR vaccine, and how to check you are up to date, here.

Until next time,

Tim