April 2015 e-bulletin Welcome to the Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset e-bulletin which combines with The Care Forum Health and Social Care Network e-bulletin. The content is a mixture of local and regional information regarding health, wellbeing and social care services. Visit http://tinyurl.com/nzmldrq to keep up to date with the Health & Wellbeing Network. For further National information visit The Care Forum website W: http://www.thecareforum.org/pagepublications.html Contents Local Events Local Information Training Healthwatch Update National 1 Local Events Carers Centre Craft Fayre and Open Garden Saturday 11 April 10am - 2pm. Browse the stalls and see the famous BBC One Show Garden, designed for the Royal Hampton Court Flower Show last year and generously donated to B&NES Carers’ Centre. Find out how the garden has grown as well as browsing over 17 stalls selling crafts including stained glass; local pottery; jewellery; embroidered gifts; scented candles; paintings and more. Refreshments will be available, entry is free and there is on-site parking. More detail can be found at W: http://tinyurl.com/nddv2zz or E: [email protected] B&NES Carers’ Centre Centre provides information and advice, emotional and practical support and opportunities for carers to take a break from their responsibilities. Caring can be very lonely, stressful and exhausting. If you would like to support the Carers’ Centre and their work, sign up to their supporter newsletter for news and events, ways you can get involved and chances to win prizes! W: http://eepurl.com/44n9n Or, if you’re a carer and need support, visit W: www.banescarerscentre.org.uk Your care your way Provider Network Meeting The Care Forum B&NES Health and Wellbeing Network event Wednesday 15 April 2.00pm – 3.30pm, The Folly Farm Centre, Stowey, Pensford. your care your way is the joint review of community services that NHS BaNES Clinical Commissioning Group is carrying out in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council. 2 Some common themes have been emerging from the engagement events that have been carried out so far. This meeting is a chance for providers to look at these emerging themes in more detail and discuss ways to address them. In particular people say they would like it to be easier to find their way around the health and care system. Providers have said services could be more seamless for people if it was more straightforward to share the information they need with each other. People have also said they would like better links with voluntary sector services and to the volunteers who enhance the services they receive. This is all consistent with the vision for community services that has been outlined in your care your way. But how might the vision be achieved and are there examples of good practice we can build on to achieve it? To book E: [email protected]. For directions to Folly Farm see: W: http://www.follyfarm.org/directions Many other organisations are also holding meetings and events to discuss your care your way including the Village Agents event on 14 April and Age UK Hub in a Pub event on 21 April. To see all the meetings visit W: http://tinyurl.com/qbnm3m3 Autism Carers’ Day 9:45am - 4:00pm Tuesday 21 April St Luke’s Church Hatfield Road Bath BA2 2BD. Awareness workshops for parents, carers, and friends of adults in B&NES with autism/ Asperger syndrome. Workshops provided by BASS, Sirona Care & Health, The Carers’ Centre, B&NES Talking Therapies Service, and the National Autistic Society For more information about the event and how to book, contact BASS T: 01275796200 or E: [email protected] Partner Group BASS offers a monthly group for adults whose partner has a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (this includes Asperger syndrome). This is a regional group open to people in areas covered by BASS, i.e. Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It takes place on the first Tuesday of each month at the Petherton Resource Centre, Bristol. Further information can be found at W: http://tinyurl.com/p6fcgue To be invited to future groups, contact Gemma Allen: E: [email protected] Thinking Ahead - Housing Options for Later Life These free workshop sessions are aimed at anyone aged 50+ and are for those who are perhaps putting off thinking about their later years. They will also be useful for anyone who is concerned about the housing situation of an older friend or family member. 22 April, 10am – 12 noon, Community@67, Queens Road, Keynsham 21 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Whisty Hall, Walnut Buildings, Radstock To book email E: [email protected] Interagency meetings 21 May, 12pm – 2pm, Chew Magna Baptist Church, Tunbridge Road, Chew Magna 9 June, 12.30pm – 2pm, Southdown Methodist Church 25 June, 12pm – 2pm, Community@67, 67 Queens Road, Keynsham New Hope meetings South Vaults, Green Park Station, Bath. Alternate Tuesday and Wednesday of the fourth week of the month: Wed 22 April, Tue 26 May, Wed 24 June, Tue 21 July. For information contact Ralph Lillywhite, MungosBroadway Bridges to Wellbeing Manager, B&NES, T: 0782 511 577 5 or see W: www.newhopebanes.org Reach Out Family Festival 2015 Thursday 11 June, 2.30pm to 8.30pm, Fry Club and Conference Centre, Somerdale, Keynsham, Bristol. For every person grappling with drug and alcohol misuse, it is estimated that at least five others are affected – husbands, wives and partners, mothers, fathers, siblings, children, grandchildren, friends, employers. Yet, as with most carers, their struggles go largely unacknowledged and under supported. Developing Health & Independence (DHI) is holding a free Reach Out festival in Keynsham this June to offer families and loved ones an opportunity to share their experiences with peers and professionals, and learn about accessing support. To register E: [email protected] or see http://tinyurl.com/ldnzqd4 Local Information Homeless Hospital Discharge Service This is a new outreach service run by Julian House at the Royal United Hospital Bath. The service is for anyone who is homeless on arrival at hospital or who is struggling in their tenancy and anxious about returning. If anyone you are working with is admitted in this situation, please contact Steve West or Tanya Mitchard: T: 07985 704488 E: [email protected] Key messages from the Chair B&NES Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) held on Monday 23 March 2015 Robin Cowen. Visit our website: http://healthwatchbathnes.co.uk/?p=1630 3 Gypsies, Travellers and Boaters Outreach and Engagement Service This is a new 18 month pilot project being run by Julian House aimed at supporting Gypsy and Traveller, Showpeople, Roma and Boater Communities. The service aims to enhance quality of life for both families and individuals and to develop an engaging service using Community Champions to help highlight the health needs of the communities and influence services to ensure that there are trusting relationships and fair access to health and social care for those who need it. For more information contact Connie or Sam: T: 07960097728 E: [email protected] Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Annual Report 2014-15 This has now been published. See a PDF copy at: W: http://tinyurl.com/q44ydmg. PDS panels hold the Cabinet and officers to account. They ensure that the Council and other services provide good value by examining issues that impact on Bath and North East Somerset residents, businesses and visitors. They promote issues that are relevant to local people, and engage them in the scrutiny process. Bath wins share of £19m investment in cycling Bath & North East Somerset Council has been successful in securing a share of a £19m Cycle City Ambition Grant which the Department for Transport has awarded to the West of England to boost cycling within cities. Bath is set to benefit from a £3.8m share of the funds, which will be used to fund three key projects around the city centre: 1. Kennet and Avon Canal tow path: to enhance the traffic free route into central 4 Bath along the tow path by upgrading the surface and widening the path for 2.44km along the NCN4 cycle route. 2. Halfpenny Bridge: to widen the bridge, or construct a new bridge alongside the existing structure across the River Avon and link up the Bath Spa Rail Station with Rossiter Road for cyclists. 3. Locksbrook Railway Bridge: to provide a new crossing for pedestrians and cyclists over the River Avon, linking the Railway Path and Two Tunnels. Strengthening rights for people with learning disabilities No voice unheard, no right ignored – a consultation for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditionsThis consultation closes at 29 May 2015 11:45pm http://healthwatchbathnes. co.uk/?p=2175 New website to inform patients about Chronic Kidney disease A new website is launched that will help bridge the communication gap between healthcare professionals and patients diagnosed with mild chronic kidney disease (CKD) after research revealed a disparity between what GP’s explain and what patients understand about the condition. The resource has been developed by University of Bristol academics. http://www.healthtalk.org/kidney-health On the website patients can view video clips from interviews with people talking about their experiences of early stage CKD and learn about why kidney performance may begin to decline and who is at risk, how kidney performance is measured and why it is important to check it regularly. Patients can also learn about how people find out that they have early signs of kidney problems, their experiences of having regular check-ups, their information preferences, and the ways in which they try to look after their health. For health professionals, the website provides an insight into the experiences of people who are being monitored for early signs of kidney problems – what information they have received, what they found helpful and unhelpful, their key questions and concerns, and their views on how monitoring could be made more meaningful to them. It has been developed by researchers at the universities of Bristol, Oxford, Manchester and University College London together with representatives from the British Kidney Patient Association and the Kidney Patient Guide. You can read more about it on the University of Bristol website: W: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2015/ february/chronic-kidney-disease.html Training Mental Health First Aid 16 and 17 April in Bath. Bath Mind’s two-day Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course teaches techniques to provide help to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained. The course will help participants to support family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues and clients who are experiencing mental distress. Noncharitable organisations within Bath & North East Somerset - £180 per person. Charities in Bath & North East Somerset receive a 50% discount - £90 per person (please provide charity number when booking). A 10% discount applies for block bookings - 3 or more. People who are unemployed or currently using mental health services, plus any family members or friends who are carers - £15 per person. See http://tinyurl.com/lvwe9sf Healthwatch Update Healthwatch B&NES is interested to hear feedback around any health or social care service. We collect comments from people, both good and bad, and share these with service providers and commissioners to celebrate what is being done well and identify areas for improvement. Please do not hesitate to get in touch to let us know your thoughts: T: 01225 232401 Text: ‘ba’ and your story to 07860 021 603 E: [email protected] W: www.healthwatchbathnes.co.uk Twitter: @Hwatchbathnes Facebook: Healthwatch BANES 5 An emerging theme Residents have been telling Healthwatch B&NES about their experiences of using local health and social care services. This month, a theme that is emerging from their feedback is: People in Bath and North East Somerset have reported concerns about levels of hygiene and cleanliness in health care settings. What do you think about this? Have you, your family or friends had any experiences, good or bad, regarding hygiene or cleanliness in health care settings? We will take this information to the people who commission the relevant services, so they know what people think and can plan improvements for the future. 2014/15 quarterly report We are busy pulling together the feedback we have heard over the last quarter (January – March 2015) into a report. To see the breakdown of the feedback we have received, the main themes emerging and to read the comments people have submitted W: www.healthwatchbathnes.co.uk Work priorities for 2015/16 Healthwatch B&NES is now entering its third year. The last two years have been very successful and we are now in a position to determine our work priorities from the feedback that we are gathering from local residents. As a result, the new work plan for 2015/16 has been developed and includes: older people, end of life and dementia; public transport; mental health; review of community healthcare services and children’s transition to adult services. These topic areas will form the basis of our work over the coming year, with a particular focus on seldom heard groups, such as black and minority ethnic communities including different faiths and religions, 6 gypsies and travellers and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We are keen to work with partners in order to coordinate our work and complement activities that are already taking place. A recent meeting with Julian House has paved the way for some exciting collaboration around the experiences of gypsy and traveller communities when using local health and social care services. We hope to be able to bring you more news on this in the very near future. To see the full 2015/16 work priorities for Healthwatch B&NES W: http://tinyurl.com/qhagsot. If your work links into any of these priorities, or you work with a seldom heard community and would like to champion their experiences of health and social care services, please contact Alex Francis, Healthwatch B&NES Development Officer T: 0117 9589 347 E: [email protected] your care your way review of community healthcare services Healthwatch B&NES is working closely with NHS BaNES Clinical Commissioning Group to support the collection of feedback from local residents around community healthcare services. We will be carrying out some public sessions at supermarkets across the district over the next month to speak to people about the services they are using in their local area. To find out when we will be coming to a supermarket near you please keep an eye on the website: W: www.healthwatchbathnes.co.uk and our social media feeds: Twitter: @ Hwatchbathnes and Facebook. If you would like to feedback your experiences of community healthcare services please get in touch, or rate and review the service you used on our new website www.healthwatchbathnes.co.uk National Information Consultation: strengthening rights and choices for people to live in the community This Department of Health consultation seeks views to strengthen the rights of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues to enable them to live independently. The consultation ends Friday 29 May 11.45pm. W: http://tinyurl.com/nq3mt78 Consultation on plans to support NHS staff to speak up about poor care and patient safety This consultation follows the publication of Sir Robert Francis’s Freedom to Speak Up review in February 2015, which made recommendations on how to create a culture where NHS staff feel safe and confident in speaking out. The report was commissioned by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in response to concerns about the reporting culture and the treatment of whistle blowers in the NHS. The recommendations were accepted in principle by the Government; the consultation is on the best way to implement the principles and actions. The consultation closes on 4 June. W: http://tinyurl.com/papux8k Consultation on proposals for allied health professionals to prescribe medicines Proposals allowing certain health professionals to prescribe or supply and administer medicines for patients were published in February by NHS England. The proposals would apply across the United Kingdom, and would enable four groups of registered allied health professions (AHPs) – radiographers, paramedics, dietitians and orthoptists – to prescribe or supply and administer medicines, giving patients responsive access to treatment. NHS England is consulting on these proposals. The consultations on proposals to introduce independent prescribing for paramedics and radiographers end on Friday 22 May. The consultations on proposals for dietitians and orthoptists end on Friday 24 April. W: www.engage.england.nhs.uk/ Report on how integrated working improves the health of local communities This report by Public Health England (PHE) and the Local Government Association shows how integrated working by local government and local health teams and the voluntary sector can improve the health of local communities. The publication ‘Local leadership, new approaches’ includes seven case studies. W: http://tinyurl.com/lokmwdz 7 Contact us Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset The Care Forum The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2QQ Healthwatch B&NES T: 01225 232 401 E: [email protected] W: www.healthwatchbathnes.co.uk TCF www.thecareforum.org Join us on Twitter @hwatchbathnes Take part in the Healthwatch Forum W: http://tinyurl.com/mh3zacx Information about and booking forms for The Care Forum’s forthcoming events are available on our website at: www.thecareforum.org For local health and wellbeing signposting information visit Well Aware at: www.wellaware.org.uk Do you have some news for the e-bulletin? We need information for the next edition by 20 April 2015 E: [email protected] 8
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