Asian Medical Professionals Support Organisation health conference

Asian Medical Professionals Support Organisation health conference

The Asian Medical Professionals Support Organisation (AMPSO) health conference took place at Castlemere Community Centre, Rochdale on Saturday.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Ian and Christine Duckworth, Tony Lloyd MP, Deputy Mayor Mohammad Zaman, councillors, representatives of the Strategical Clinical Network, Manchester, Clinicals Commissioning Group, Rochdale, and leaders of the community attended.

Ghulam Rasool Shahzad OBE, advisor, welcomed everyone to the conference and highlighted the purpose of the meeting.

He said: “Under the legislative changes, there is a need to work together to improve services both for the NHS and the community.

“The NHS provides services and the community is the recipient of these services. If there are areas to improve, we need to sit together and share the information.

“It is good to see that professionals, both retired and in service, are coming forward to help the community. They have long experience and a working relationship with the community they served for more than 35 years. This working together means better and improved services for the community."

Dr Humayun, chairman, spoke about the background of setting up the organisation, their long experiences as GPs, changes under the Health & Social Act 2012, new Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Patients Participation Groups, Locality Patients Participation Groups and said there was urgent need for the NHS, Rochdale Brough Council and the community to work together and become a part of the change to improve services for the community and save time and money for the NHS. He thanked everyone for attendance and input.

Dr Sarwar Khan, a consultant psychiatrist for the NHS, said: “There is a need for the Asian community to remove the stigma of the meaning of mental health and how it would be perceived within the community. They should freely discuss and get solution of the problem.

“Services are available to the community and if anyone wished to contact me they should contact the organisation.”

Maqsood Ahmed, manager, Strategical Clinical Network, Manchester, said: "I am from Rochdale and I have served various organisations and particularly the NHS.

“The changes brought about by the Health & Social Care Act 2012 and now the Local Authorities are included, Patients Participation Groups and Locality Plans are integral part of the Act.

“There is need to work with all groups, including faith groups, to have a clear understanding of their health needs. They should also employ people from the BME and faith groups.

“Local Authorities and the NHS should look at their workforce and ensure that there is fair representation of all sections of the community for a good assessment of the health needs of all sections of the communities.

“The role of those in authority or position, is to improve services for the local communities and ensure. Therefore, right people should be selected for all jobs and positions.”

Phil Burton, engagement lead, CCG, provided information about the Locality Plan and its contents and why it was important for the local residents. He also provided information about the changes in services being provided.

He said that under the Locality Plan community hubs would be created. Local Care Organisations would be set up bring multiple organisations together. There would be public consultation which would be advertised through the media. He said the CCG organises many initiatives in the area and encouraged the local residents to participate.

Christine Mathewson, governor of Christie Hospital, Manchester said: “I have been trying to raise awareness about the various stages of cancer. Cancer is now curable, provided it is diagnosed at an early stage. Like mental health, there is a stigma attached to cancer that it is contagious disease so members of the community and the family shun to touch.

“I would be happy to attend a presentation by any group where I am invited to do so.”

Mohammad Hanif, chairman of Friends of Maternity Care, said: “I have campaigned to bring back the maternity services to Rochdale Infirmary.

“There are problems being faced by pregnant women, their relatives, visitors and the NHS staff in Royal Oldham and Royal Manchester.

“One woman had to deliver a child in a vehicle, which is not acceptable in the 21st century.

“I ask the audience to support the organisation so that we could bring back the maternity services in Rochdale.”

Dr Farhat Ahmed had been working with a charity for the treatment of alcoholic people and has been very successful in changing the lives of many people on drugs and alcohol. She asked Kiran to tell the audience the success story of her husband who was on drugs and alcohol for 17 years, Due to Dr Ahmed’s efforts, he is now given up and is back to normal life. This would not be possible without the help and support from Dr Ahmed.

Tony Lloyd, Rochdale MP, thanked the organisers for inviting him to the conference. He said: “I am pleased to see that communities from all backgrounds are coming forward to bring to light their health and other issues. Under the Health and Social Care Act, it is important to have this type of open consultation with the local communities. I will help wherever needed.

Mayor Ian Duckworth said: “I am pleased to see how many people from the medical profession are involved on a voluntary basis to serve the community. This event has brought the community and the people from the medical profession together.

“This is a good starting point, to look at our organisations and see how we can work with the local communities, to improve health of the people of our borough.
“I would like to thank the organisers for inviting myself and the Mayoress to the event.”

Huraira Haqqani, member of the AMPSO led the second part of the conference in which participants were asked to identify their health needs, any issue in accessing the service so that these could be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

Participants discussed with other people sitting on their tables, wrote the answers to these questions.

These answers would be put under relevant sections and a comprehensive report would be written for appropriate authorities, Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS England, Andy Burnham, Mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Health Minister, and local organisations.

Participants were thanked for their attendance and food was served.

Verses of the holy Qur’an were recited by Qari Ismail Misbahi of Urdu Centre, Wardleworth.

Na’at was read by Maulana Mohammad Siddique Kausar of Haideria Mosque.