Healthwatch Waltham Forest News, July2014
Contents:
Page 2
Healthwatch Waltham Forest Update
Page 3
Review of NHS Patient Care in East London
50+ in the ‘Age of No Retirement’
The Dad’s Group
Page 4
‘Housing Instead of Healthcare’
Local GP Reverts Back to Local Rate Number
One-fifth of hospitals 'may be covering up mistakes'
Page 5
Raising Concerns about Nurses or Midwives
Waltham Forest Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
Page 6
Arts and Crafts for Disabled People
Page 7
‘Step Out for Stroke’ on 30th August!
Mental Health Project Wins UEFA Award!
Page 2
New Story: Annual Report 2013/14
Our Annual Report has now been published and is available on our website. We will be printing hardcopies shortly too. You can read all about our first year activity and there are lots of pictures too, it’s been an exciting year! Story End
New Story: Enter and View
Our Enter & View programme is now underway and we have 6 care home visits planned throughout July. We will be reporting on our visits and will publish the reports on our website in due course. During these visits our Authorised Representatives (volunteers) will be talking to residents and any relatives that might be visiting while we are there.
If you have any feedback on care homes locally or if you want to get involved in future Enter & View activity please let us know.Having already visited Highcroft Care Home in Walthamstow, we will also be visiting the following homes:
Mapleton Road, Chingford; George Mason Lodge, Leytonstone; Almadene Care Home, Chingford; St Catherines Rest Home, Leytonstone and Peartree House Care Home, Chingford.Story End.
New Story: Out and About in Waltham Forest!
On Friday 20th June, Healthwatch Waltham Forest attended the ‘Festival in the Park’ a summer event for residents with learning disabilities, their carers and providers.
The sun was out and many people enjoyed the free activities and information on offer. We would like to thank the many people who visited our stall to share their experiences of local services.
On Saturday 21st June we attended the Davis Lane School’s ‘Summer School’ and on Saturday 28th June we were at the Chingford Village Festival.Story End.
New Story: Upcoming Events
On Sunday 6th July, 11am-4pm, we will be at the
luncheon club for older people at St. Gabriels Family Centre, Havant Road.
On Saturday 12th July we’re at the Ascham Homes Residents Conference and on the weekend of 26th and 27th you can find us at the Lloyd Park Festival.
Get Involved…
If you enjoy being out in the community, why not join us as an Outreach Volunteer? To find out more phone 020 3078 9990 or email . Story End.
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New Story: Review of NHS Patient Care in East London
Transforming Services, Changing Lives (TSCL) is a clinical review programme established by East London clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, and Redbridge; NHS England; Barts Health NHS Trust and other providers.
These organisations are working in partnership to face the very real challenge of providing health services for a rapidly growing East London population, whilst continuing to meet the health needs of some of the most deprived areas seen anywhere in the UK.
Providing for today while planning for a tomorrow, which is unlikely to see budgets rising to the same extent as demand, requires commissioners and providers to think differently about how they provide care, and make changes to where and how care is provided.
At this early stage of the programme, clinicians have been supported by a public and patient reference group that includes Healthwatch Waltham Forest, and patient representatives from CCGs and providers involved in the programme.
Between July and September the draft case for change will be tested out with a wider group of stakeholders, including the general public. The findings of the review will be published in a ‘case for change’ document in autumn 2014.Stay tuned for news of further developments!Story End.
New Story: 50+ in the ‘Age of No Retirement’
Age UK Waltham Forest, in partnership with the Centre for Policy on Ageing and Trading Times, is organising an event at the Chingford Assembly Halls for the morning of 4th July 2014 on Extending Working Life (50+).
The focus of the event is to highlight the wealth of experience, skills and knowledge of the 50+ in Waltham Forest. Also, how to draw upon this to assist and revitalise businesses (especially SMEs) in Waltham Forest?
Iain Duncan-Smith MP will open the event and speakers will include Elisabeth Robinson, Head of the Fuller Working Lives section of DWP and Dr Jonathon Collie, founder of Trading Times. Rob Bowley Head of Employment at the London Borough of Waltham Forest will also speak.
To book or to find out more phone 020 8558 5512 or email . Story End.
New Story: Dad’s Group
For all dads, granddads or male carers of any child with special or additional needs. Come and join us and get that peer support that can make all the difference!
Sessions take place twice per term at a variety of venues throughout Waltham Forest.
Each session features a guest speaker, who can offer information and advice on a selected topic that is relevant to the group.Refreshments and food available.
To find out more phone 07794 298496 or email . Story End.
Page 4
New Story: ‘Housing Instead of Healthcare’
Plans to spend £1m on healthcare in Highams Park have been scrapped in favour of another housing development, as the planning committee at Waltham Forest Council recently gave the green light to developers to build 83 new homes in Hickman Avenue.
The land, known as Block H was earmarked for a health centre and office buildings in 2011.
However the now abolished Primary Care Trust and developers Spenhill, a subsidiary of Tesco, failed to reach a deal in the allotted period of time. As a result the application for housing was submitted.
Councillors on the committee judged the developers assessment that it is not ‘financially viable’ to pursue the building of the health centre on the site to be founded. Story End.
New Story: Local GP Reverts Back to Local Rate Number
A doctor's surgery has announced it has reverted back to a local rate telephone number after patients spent two years being charged to call a premium rate line.
Earlier this year, the Waltham Forest Guardian revealed patients using the 0844 number, introduced in March 2012, were subsidising phone bill costs at the Handsworth Medical Centre in Handsworth Avenue, Highams Park.The practice was said to be making almost £500 a month. At the time of taking out the five-year contract with telecom provider NEG, now known as Surgery Line, practice manager Josie Camplin said the surgery had been "misled" about the "true cost" to patients.
In May 2013, NHS England announced it was to crack down on the use of premium rate numbers.
Your Views? Does your GP use a premium rate number? Contact the Healthwatch office with your views!Story End.
New Story: Safety Incidents not Reported at Hospitals
A fifth of hospital trusts in England may be covering up mistakes, a government review suggests.
The analysis of reporting incidents shows 29 out of 141 trusts were not registering the expected number of safety incidents. The review said this may be a sign of a "poor" safety culture.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was important hospitals were "open and honest", and that patients had a right to know about problems with reporting.
“Healthcare carries inherent risk and while healthcare professionals work hard every day to reduce this risk every day, harm still happens”
The data has been released as part of the Department of Health and NHS England's drive to improve safety in the NHS.
In March, Mr Hunt set the target of saving 6,000 lives over the next three years by reducing the number of serious mistakes.
He asked trusts to join the Sign up to Safety campaign and draw up plans to halve "avoidable harm" such as medication errors, blood clots and bedsores by 2016-17. He said this could stop a third of preventable deaths in the coming years - equivalent to 6,000 lives saved. Story End.
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New Story: Raising Concerns about Nurses or Midwives
All practising nurses and midwives in the UK are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). They regulate nurses and midwives in England, Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland and exist to protect the public.
They do this by setting standards of education, training, conduct and performance so that nurses and midwives can deliver high quality healthcare throughout their careers. They make sure that nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date and uphold professional standards.
They also have clear and transparent processes to investigate and take action against nurses and midwives who fall short of standards.Please tell someone if you are unhappy about the standard of care of treatment you receive of witness, passing on the name of the nurse or midwife involved. Saying what you think about your experiences helps improve services.
Firstly, it is best to raise your concern locally, where you received or saw the care. This could be a hospital, care home or elsewhere. Local managers can handle your concern quicker by using their own procedures. The issue may be resolved without a formal complaint, but a complaint would also be investigated.Story End.
New Story: Waltham Forest IAPT
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) is the primary care service for individuals from age 18 years onwards for the treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety disorders. The service is based at various community locations in the borough including GP surgeries.
The types of conditions treated are depression, panic disorder, phobias, social phobia obsessive compulsive disorders, health anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety for those with long term conditions & unexplained symptoms.
The opening hours are Monday through Thursday 8.00am to 8.00pm and Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm.
GPs, health care professionals and patients can refer to the service.
An assessment appointment is offered to the patient usually within 2-5 working days.
Each surgery has an allocated link worker. If you have any queries you can contact the service directly or via them.
Patients referred to this service who may need medication, will receive a prescription service and be able to provide reviews & feedback to their GPs.
To find out more phone 0300 555 1271 or email . Story End.
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New Story:Looking for a Job or Career Advice?
Do drop in at the Job’s Fair on Tuesday 29th July, 10am – 3pm at Queens Road Learning Centre, E17 8QR
Employers with real jobs will be ready to talk to you. Employers on the day include London Fire Brigade, Tree House Nursery, Ryan Care and more.Includes practical advice on writing or updating your CV, completing application forms and interviews.
Thinking about setting up your own business? Are you a local entrepreneur with an exciting business idea? Do you have a hobby or skill that could turn into a profitable business?A wide range of business and finance experts will be on hand to answer your questions & provide advice
on business start-up advice, financial advice to grow your business and training. Story End.
New Story: Community Transport Waltham Forest Trips!
Join in and rediscover the beauty of Britain with Community Transport’s 2014 Excursion Club!Trips run for July and August and include visits to Southend, Hampton Court Palace & Saffron Walden.
So gather a group of your friends and enjoy the camaraderie and comfort aboard one of their vehicles!For further details see your Group Coordinator or contact Community Transport on 020 8521 0665 or Story End.
New Story: Arts and Crafts for Disabled People
The Disability Resource Centre invites you to come and get creative! For beginners or the more advanced, they have plenty of low-cost craft sessions for you to express your creative streak.
Their tutored craft classes and activities are designed to be accessible for disabled people, older people, people with mobility difficulties or long-term health problems, as well as those rehabilitating after illness or injury.
Friends and family are also very welcome. And if you’re worried that perhaps you can’t see well enough, or aren’t dexterous enough to do some of the craft activities, then their support workers and volunteers are there to help.
Courses for £3 include needlecrafts, embroidery & patchwork, card-making, drawing and jewellery making. The Saturday ‘Stitching Club’ is £5.All at Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre. Please feel free to come along for a free ‘taster’ session. To find out more phone 020 8534 1589 or email
Come along to the Resource Centre's Bingo Club on Friday 11th July! Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Free entry!Story End.
New Story: Age UK and Reaching Out East Have Moved!
The new address is North Hub, 58 Hall Lane, Chingford Mount, London, E4 8EU.
Reaching out East: 020 8519 6369 and Age UK Waltham Forest: 020 8558 5512. Story End.
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New Story: ‘Step Out for Stroke’ on 30th August!
The Stroke Association is hosting a fun sponsored walk for the whole family. This is an opportunity for all to be involved and they encourage everyone to join in, regardless of age and ability, and enjoy the fabulous family-friendly atmosphere:
Saturday 30th August, 11am – 3pm at Lloyds Park, Walthamstow
You can walk at your own pace and in your own time. Whether it’s one step, 10 steps or a mile, every step counts because every pound you raise in sponsorship helps the Stroke Association to be there every step of the way for those whose lives have been touched by stroke. Story End.
New Story: Scope Summer Open Day
Come and join Scope in their upcoming celebrations on Friday 18th July, 11am - 3pm at Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow, E17 9NH
The exciting activities on offer include taster yoga sessions, Gamelan instrumental music, a fine art exhibition, ‘Make your own’ sessions plus a raffle!
There will also be a free buffet and refreshments (subject to availability). To book or for more phone 020 8558 7888 or email . Story End.
New Story: Mental Health Project Wins UEFA Award!
A local ground breaking project that helps people with significant mental health problems to get their lives back on track has been recognised by UEFA as part of its Grassroots Awards as a shining example of how football can be used to improve the lives of one of society’s most marginalised groups.
‘Coping Through Football’, a project, which was inspired by the London Playing Fields Foundation (LPFF), uses football as a means of improving physical health, increasing self-esteem and confidence and enhancing social skills of people with significant mental health problems.
In partnership with North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and Leyton Orient Trust (LOT) the project is delivered in the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
Launched in Waltham Forest in 2007, the project has just received additional funding from the Dr Mortimer & Theresa Sackler Foundation and Wembley National Stadium Trust to expand into the London boroughs of Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham and also target teenagers
experiencing the onset of mental illness.
The inspiration behind the project was that suicide in the UK is the second biggest killer of 18-25 year old men. The root cause can be traced to mental health issues of which 50% have started by the age of 14 and 75% by the mid 20’s.Story End.
This is the end of the newsletter. Thankyou for listening!