Here's your April Poole LINk update !
LINk Leaving Hospital Report
The LINks ‘Leaving Hospital’ report recommended that Poole Hospital publish their discharge standards, so inpatients & their families know what they can expect. The hospital agreed with our recommendation and they have now added this information to their public website. Here’s a link to more information and the discharge standards on Poole Hospitals website:http://www.poole.nhs.uk/patients_and_visitors/inpatients.asp
We’ve also sent our report to the Care Quality Commission to inform their review of current information about NHS hospital discharge. You can read our full ‘leaving hospital’ report at www.poolelink.org.uk
National News on Hospital Discharge
Hospitals in England have been told to end the "obviously unacceptable" practice of sending elderly or vulnerable patients home in the middle of the night. Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS has ordered an urgent review of how the service is discharging hundreds of thousands of patients amid concerns some are being left to fend for themselves. The pledge by Sir Bruce Keogh, the Medical Director of the NHS, comes after a survey of 100 trusts in England found that 239,233 patients were discharged from wards between 11pm and 6am last year. The Patients Association warned that older patients were often the worst affected by the practice because they were sent home to cope on their own, without support in place.
Have you, or a friend or relative, been sent home from Poole Hospital late at night? Please tell us your story……..
LINk Youth Survey
We’re still studying the data we’ve gathered from over 600 completed youth surveys and plan to produce our report in June 2012. Our results so far show that young people in Poole want better access to school nurses. School nurses have a crucial role to play in looking after the health of children and young people. They can promote health in schools, teaching pupils about obesity, the harms caused by drugs and alcohol and reduce the rates of teenage pregnancy by giving support and advice. But too often pupils find it hard to see school nurses because they don’t know how to make appointments or they are too embarrassed or shy to ask for an appointment through a teacher.
This issue has been recognised nationally and the government recently announced a new plan to help pupils get more help from the school nurse. Three hundred young people will help shape the way school nurses care for young people. These ‘school nurse champions’ will work with the Department of Health to come up with new ideas to help pupils get more access to their school nurses and the health advice they provide. For more information: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/03/school-nursing/
Continuing Healthcare (CHC) article written by NHS Bournemouth & Poole
‘From September 2010 to May 2011 all people who were eligible for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding by NHS Bournemouth and Poole had a review of their care needs. This review process was in line with the National Framework for Continuing Healthcare which says reviews must be undertaken at least annually.
As a result of learning from these annual reviews and following feedback from individuals and their families, NHS Bournemouth and Poole has implemented significant improvements in the CHC staffing and processes.
The number of staff in the CHC Team has increased to include additional assessors and admin support. This means that all new applications, reviews and appeals are dealt with in a timely way as we recognise that delays can cause stress to individuals and families. All CHC staff receive regular training and guidance through one to one meetings and team meetings. We have updated the CHC information on the NHS Bournemouth and Poole website and through this the public can access both Department of Health and local information on CHC. In partnership with NHS Dorset we have commissioned Dorset Advocacy (http://www.dorsetadvocacy.co.uk/page50.html) to provide a free, independent advocacy service to help individuals and their families through the CHC assessment process and, if necessary, help with making an appeal. This provides us with invaluable feedback which we use to constantly improve our processes and communication with the public.’
NB.The LINk reading group is now looking at CHC leaflets and the website (http://www.bournemouthandpoole.nhs.uk/WS-Pan-Dorset/Pages/NHS-BP/yourhealth/continuing-healthcare.htm) to see if the information provided by the NHS is clear and easy to understand. We are also gathering information on ‘patient & carer satisfaction surveys’, which could give the CHC team regular feedback on their service. If you have recent experience of Continuing Healthcare, please let the LINk know what you thought of the service on: 0300 111 0102 or email: contact@makesachange.org.ukor tweet @poolelink
Poole
LINk – Carers Focus Group
Thanks to everyone who attended the LINk carers focus group on 28th March. It was a great meeting and we gathered lots of useful feedback and suggestions about services for people with dementia or alzheimers and their carers. We will write up a report of all the comments we gathered and it will be used by the NHS to improve mental health services for older people. We’ll publish an update in next months eNews. If you care for someone with dementia or alzheimers and you haven’t been involved in one of the LINks focus groups – please get in touch and tell us about your experience: email contact@makesachange.org.uk phone 0300 111 0102 or tweet @poolelink
ps. Here’s some great practical information and advice from Care & Repair England on how to make your home a better place to live with dementia: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing/Support_materials/Other_reports_and_guidance/1_DEMENTIA_S-H_Final.pdf
Hamworthy Dentist – Latest News
NHS Bournemouth & Poole are close to announcing the new provider of NHS dentistry in Hamworthy, Poole. They plan to make the announcement on 1st May 2012 so look out for next months LINk eNews……
What Affects Your Health?
We had a LINk promotional stand at the older people’s event in Turlin Moor on 21st March. We asked the people we met there to enter a prize draw by telling us ‘what affects your health?’ The results show that out of 21 responses – 43% of people we spoke to have a long term health condition; 38% told us that poor diet and lack of exercise affects their health; 29% told us that they suffer from depression and or loneliness; 24% told us smoking affects their health. Thanks to everyone who took part and congratulations to David Ward who won the prize draw - £25 of shopping vouchers. What affects your health? Join our discussion:http://t.co/jISsbgFF
LINk comment of the Month
We’re going to pick one comment from the feedback the LINk receives each month and publish it in our eNews bulletin. Your comment could be in next months edition so tell us what you think of health and social care in Poole….
‘I go to Longfleet Road GP Surgery and it's great. I moved house but kept my GP because I'm so happy with them. No grill at reception, like most surgeries, there's an open plan feel, the staff are very friendly and I always get to see my own doctor.’
Do you agree? What’s good or bad about your GP surgery? Contact Louise on 0300 111 0102 email contact@makesachange.org.ukor tweet @poolelink
Safeguarding Adults Event at Poole Lighthouse 26/4/12
Safeguarding Adults means protecting vulnerable people, aged 18 or over, from abuse - be it physical, mental, emotional, sexual or financial. Bournemouth & Poole Safeguarding Adults Board are holding an event at Poole Lighthouse on 26/4/12 to find out how they can reduce risk and keep people safe. The morning session from 10.30 to 12.30 is for Community / Voluntary groups & Independent Providers and the afternoon session from 2.00 to 4.00 is for people who use adult services and carers. Poole LINk will be at this event too, with information about how you can influence local NHS and social care services. To book your place contactHeather Newton on 01202-261015 or e-mail her on: h.newton@poole.gov.uk
Volunteers required at Leonard Cheshire Disability
Leonard Cheshire disability has two residential homes nearby, James Burns House which is situated in Bournemouth and The Grange which is situated in Parkstone. They also have a charity shop called The Cheshire Box, which is very near to The Grange, on Ashley Road. All three of these establishments are seeking volunteers to help out with various different activities and tasks, such as IT assistance, reading workshops, one-to-one, outings, driving and retail. If you are interested in giving a bit of your spare time, whether it is a one-off, regular hours a week, or one hour a month etc, they would love to hear from you. Please call (01202) 715914/523182 and ask for Tracey fudge or email tracey.fudge@LCDisability.org
Skills & Learning this Summer
>> Download Skills & Learning Summer brochure
Free courses for volunteers, voluntary and community organisations and for people on benefits wishing to enhance their employability skills. To book, please contact Charlotte on c.lord @poole.gov.ukor call her on: 01202 262322. Ensure that you put in order of preference if you want more than one course. Charlotte will then send a course information sheet and an enrolment form. Once she receives the enrolment form back from you she can book you on the course.
COMING SOON... The NEW Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, Edition 4.
A free, online guide including: over 200 inspiring ideas for worry-free days out, reviews, hints and tips by disabled visitors. The guide is grouped by 10 regional locations featuring Olympic venues, scenic drives and towns. Accessibility information includes disabled parking, with new and updated content for 2012. To find out more go to: http://www.accessibleguide.co.uk
BIG Health Day Wednesday 30th May
This event is for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers to have a say about health services. Your comments will be used in the NHS self assessment for learning disabilities 2012. Big Health Day is on Wednesday 30th May, 10am to 2.30pm at the Cattistock Room, Poole Civic Centre BH15 2NS. To book your place and free lunch please contact Poole Forum on 01202 746040.
GET ready, get steady, get baking!
The Great Dorset Bake sale was officially launched in March to inspire the whole county to make – or eat – cake. The event will take place between May 7 and 13, when it’s hoped that 100 bake sales will take place across Dorset to raise money for Diverse Abilities Plus. A total of 32 companies, school or individuals have already signed up to host a sale. The idea stemmed from the success of the charity’s recipe book Scrumptious Home Baking, which features the favourite cake and biscuit recipes of key supporters, local chefs and celebrities. Fundraising manager Helen Alexander said: “We want to really try to get the whole of Dorset behind the event because we support around 500 families in the county where there are children with disabilities. “It’s a really light-hearted, fun event which anyone, whether it’s families, school classes or big companies, can support.” To take part in the Great Dorset Bake Sale go to http://www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk/ email bakesale@diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk or call 01202 718266.
What do you think about the new Disability Living Allowance?
Help write Leonard Cheshire Disabilities response to the government consultation. The Welfare Reform Act 2012, which passed in March, introduces a new benefit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged 16-64. Both DLA and the new benefit PIP are designed to help disabled people meet the extra costs that they face. The government plans to retest everyone aged 16-64 who receives DLA at some point from April 2013 to see if they qualify for the new benefit. The government has created a draft of the test that will be used to decide if people qualify and they want to know what you think about it. If you receive DLA, this is an important chance to make sure your views on the new test are heard.
To respond, you can answer this series of questions by Wednesday 25 April and Leonard Cheshire Disability will use the information to help write their response to the government. Or, you can respond directly to the government’sconsultation - the deadline for that is 30 April.
Dorset Cancer Network Event 12th June
Are you a cancer patient or a carer for a cancer patient? If so, would you be interested in getting involved in the planning and development of cancer services across Dorset? The Dorset Cancer Network Patient Partnership Panel offers you an opportunity to attend an exciting event “Moving forward as a patient / carer engaged in cancer services development” This free event, including a buffet lunch, will be held on the 12th June 2012 at Merley House, Wimborne. If you are interested in attending please register (please note places are limited and will be confirmed as soon as possible): Via email: tracy.street@dorset.nhs.uk
The South Coast Cancer Awareness Exhibition
You are cordially invited to the first annual South Coast Cancer Awareness Exhibition, taking place at The Grove Hotel, Bournemouth. This event aims to bring together all those affected by the illness and will showcase some of the outstanding work being done by a number of great charities and organisations to help sufferers. We are proud to be an exhibitor at the event. The exhibitors at this event will all be focused on one thing – helping to make the lives of cancer sufferers easier in a multitude of ways. Join us at: The Grove Hotel, 2 Grove Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3AU On: 29th May 2012 From: 12 noon.
Thanks for your help, the LINk can't work without you!
We're always looking for volunteers to get involved in LINk projects and your comments direct the LINks work - so tell us what you think about local health and social care services. Contact Louise Bate, Poole LINk Development Officer: