New "Empowering People" award aims to highlight the UK's best independent craft brewery to work for

THE Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) have announced a new "Empowering People" Award which seeks to highlight the best breweries in the UK to work for. The award is the newest category in the SIBA Business Awards 2023, which is now open for entries.

The new award will put a spotlight on independent craft breweries who go above and beyond for the members of their team; empowering people to achieve more in their professional career, introducing initiatives and incentives which create a positive working environment, making efforts to promote diversity and inclusively, or providing benefits or support mechanisms which encourage a happier healthier life for employees.

"The brewing sector is an incredibly hands on and collaborative industry and the wellbeing of employees is at the forefront of all successful brewing businesses. This new award seeks to highlight the breweries in the UK who are not only supporting their staff but helping them to have a happier, more successful working life." Neil Walker, SIBA Business Awards Chair of Judges.

The SIBA Business Awards seek to congratulate excellence in the brewing industry across a variety of categories, from pump clip, can and bottle design, to efforts taken by brewers to make their business more sustainable, innovative or successful, as well as naming the UK's best pubs, bars and retailers of craft beer from independent breweries.

Christian Barden, UK and Europe CEO of Konvoy who are sponsoring the new Empowering People Award as well as the overall Brewery Business of the Year 2023, commented:- "I'm really proud to be supporting SIBA's new award for Empowering People. Having been part of and built businesses across various organisations and continents it's always empowered people that are encouraged to dream and work together with mutual trust and respect that create long term success stories. It's so easily forgotten when the pressure is on but that's actually when it matters most. High performing teams are always about smiling faces and great results, and that's the environment we'll keep building at Konvoy. It all comes down to empowerment at every level, which is what my leaders create for me too. I look forward to seeing the great entries from breweries across the UK that are striving to do the same."

The new categories introduced last year for the:- "UK's Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer; Online," "UK's Best Independent Craft Brewery Webshop" and "Community Engagement" will also return for the 2023 Awards following huge interest from the industry.

"The SIBA Business Awards have evolved in response to changing consumer habits over recent years, as more people look to purchase beer online or discover their local brewery taproom. Independent craft breweries are embedded in their local communities and these awards highlight the businesses doing it better than anyone else in the UK." Neil added on behalf of SIBA.

The SIBA Business Awards 2023 are judged by a panel of industry experts and presented at the UK's biggest beer and brewing event - BeerX UK in Liverpool, March 2023. For more information about the awards visit:- SIBA.Co.UK.
 

How to book GP appointments on evenings and weekends in Sefton

A range of GP appointments are available on weekday evenings and weekends for all residents registered with a GP practice in Sefton. The 'enhanced access' service provides patients with access to pre-bookable appointments outside of normal practice hours to ensure that people can get the right care when convenient for them. A range of services are available for residents including routine appointments, smear tests, screenings and more. Patients can pre-book appointments with the enhanced access service through their own GP practice either by calling, using an online form or visiting their usual practice during normal opening hours. The services are delivered by different providers in south Sefton and Southport and Formby, meaning there is some variation in the opening hours and services in each area.

Services available in South Sefton... The GP Extra service is provided by South Sefton Primary Healthcare in partnership with South Sefton Primary Care Network. The following services are available at:- Litherland Town Hall, over:- Monday to Friday, from:- 5pm to 8pm and Saturday, from:- 9am to 5pm, for...

►   General practice routine appointments.

►   Cervical screening.

►   Chronic diseases annual reviews (diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems)

►   Pill and HRT reviews.

►   Physiotherapy.

►   Blood tests.

►   Blood pressure checks.

Patients may be called during weekdays by an advanced nurse practitioner to see if their need can be dealt with over the phone, or if they can be directed to a more appropriate service.

Dr Gozzelino, clinical lead at South Sefton Primary Healthcare said:- "We want to be as accessible as we can for our residents. We know that general practice is still seeing high numbers of patients seeking care, and we acknowledge our residents' busy lifestyles, so we're pleased to be able to offer these appointments to fit around people's lives. Our service is staffed by a skilled, multi disciplinary team specialised in different areas, meaning we're able to offer a broad range of appointments to suit a variety of needs."

You can view Dr Gozzelino talks about the GP Extra service on:- YouTube.Com.

Services available in Southport and Formby... The 7 Day GP Service is provided by Southport and Formby Health in partnership with Southport and Formby Primary Care Network. The following services are available at:- The Family Surgery, 107 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4DB, from:- Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9pm, and on Saturday, 9am to 5pm, along with Sunday, 9am to 1pm, for:-

►   General practice routine appointments.

►   Cervical screening.

►   Ear syringing.

►   Health checks.

►   Pill checks.

►   Physiotherapy - assessment and advice.

►   Blood tests.

►   Blood pressure checks.

►   Foot checks.

►   Electrocardiography.

►   Mental health support

Dr Abdul Zubairu, Medical Director, at Southport and Formby Health said:- "The service has gone from strength to strength over the last four years, giving patients additional access to GP services at a time that may be more convenient for them and alleviating some of the pressures on local practices by providing additional capacity."

Anthony Shonkry, a Southport resident and patient at the 7 Day GP service in Southport and Formby, said:- "I phoned my GP and they booked me an appointment with the service on a Saturday morning. I spoke to a nurse practitioner who helped me with all my needs over the phone, but I know they have the availability to see me in person if they need further follow up. It was a really useful service and I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who works long hours like myself during the week, or university, or can't get appointments during the day. They're really quick to offer appointments on the evenings and weekends, so it suits most people."

You can watch Dr Stevens talks about the 7 Day GP Service now, on:- YouTube.Com. For more information about the 7 Day GP Service, please visit:- SouthportAndFormbyHealth.Com. To book an appointment with the enhanced access services across Sefton, patients should contact their usual GP practice during their normal opening hours. Outside of office hours or at weekends, anyone who needs to book an urgent appointment should continue to get in touch using the NHS 111 service.