Here's your October Poole LINk update !
Poole LINk Youth Survey
We want to find out what young people think about health and social care services. Poole LINk volunteer, Graham, has been working with young people to design a Youth Survey to capture feedback. Over the next couple of months, we will be taking the survey out to schools, youth clubs, colleges, sports clubs etc. We want to gather as many comments as possible, so if you’re 25 or under and you live, go to school/college or work in Poole - please help us filling in this short survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T5LRT8D You can also help us by promoting the Youth Survey and if you’d prefer paper copies to complete, please call Louise on 0300 111 0102. The feedback we gather will be used to help improve care services for young people in Poole.
Poole LINk visit to Strictly Vitality
We are working with Poole Forum (local learning disability support group) to visit day opportunities in Poole. Trained volunteers from the LINk and Poole Forum work together, to check out local services and find out what people really think of them. Alison Bale from Poole Forum and Bob Kensley from Poole LINk visited Strictly Vitality last month, a day opportunity that runs twice a week at Rossmore Leisure Centre. Strictly Vitality was set up 2 years ago to provide adults with a learning difficulty, or disability, a safe environment in which they can be active and healthy.
Poole LINk Community Grants
The LINk has allocated £5000 as community grants this year, supporting 11 local projects. The LINk grant of £300 to Parkstone Sports & Arts Centre (PSAAC) will be used to update some of their sports equipment. The Recreation Road Centre in Poole delivers affordable arts, drama and sports training sessions to local underprivileged children and young people. They have over 500 active members, are open 3 evenings a week and encourage the local community to use their facilities. To find out more about this years LINk Community Grants go to: http://www.makesachange.org.uk/cms/site/news/poole/poole-community-grants.aspx
Leaving Hospital Survey
Thanks to everyone who completed a Poole LINk ‘leaving hospital’ survey over the summer. We’ve almost finished writing up the report and we plan to publish it on our website in the next few weeks.
Follow us on Twitter
Poole LINk is now tweeting; follow us to catch up on all the latest news @poolelink. Just go to www.twitter.com/poolelink to find out more, it’s surprisingly addictive!
What to do if you’re not happy with your GP
The Health Service Ombudsman's review into complaint handling by the NHS in England in 2010-11, found that 'de-registration' complaints accounted for more than a fifth (21 per cent) of all those it investigated about GP surgeries - up from 15 per cent in 2009-10. Ann Abraham, the outgoing Ombudsman, explains: "In a small but increasing number of cases, a failure to resolve disagreements between patients and their GP has led to their removal from the GP’s patient list – often without the required warning or the opportunity for both sides to talk about what happened." If you’re not happy with your GP, here’s some useful information about what to do.
NHS Reforms
Department for Health announced last week it would be accepting a Liberal Democrat amendment that the secretary of state should remain responsible for health service provision across England. The committee stage continues on 2 November when further amendments will be discussed. To find out more and follow the passage of the bill, go to: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/healthandsocialcare.html
Transgender Awareness
Equality South West is holding a Transgender Awareness session at Bournemouth Library on Tuesday 29th November. This introductory session will look at issues surrounding Transgender status, personal identity and gender reassignment as defined by Equality Act 2010. You do not need to have prior knowledge of the subject to attend this session. It will be jointly delivered by Equality South West and the SW Transgender Equality Network, and will look at peoples’ personal journey, and the issues faced by the Trans community in the South West. For more information and to book please click here.
.Looking for a Choir
Does anyone know of a local choir of young people who would be interested in joining forces with an adult choir at the Salvation Army? The Salvation Army want to do some visits to sheltered accommodation housing for Christmas and would like some ‘youngsters’ to join them. The event will probably take place on a Saturday, either the 3 or 10 December in the Hamworthy/Poole area. If you can help, please contact Paula Wade, Community Development Officer, on 01202 633430
Accolade for team behind Pulse Campaign
Dorset Cardiac and Stroke Network have received an Excellence in Practice award for the ‘hard work and progress’ they have made with the ‘Know Your Pulse’ campaign. The campaign encourages people to be aware of their pulse and to check it regularly to spot any irregularities. One beneficiary of the campaign was Mark Crawford, who was found to have an irregular pulse. He said: “I’d seen that the Network were offering free pulse checks and decided to go along. I’m glad I did because the team picked up on my irregular pulse and recommended that I visit my GP. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) and I’m now receiving medication which means my risk of having a stroke in the future has been substantially reduced.” For information about how to check your pulse, including the video made locally which has now been adopted by the national charity, visit: www.knowyourpulse.org
Survey for social networking
SES (Sustainable Enterprise Strategies) is conducting an anonymous survey to gather research for a new project - the idea is to launch a new social network with a focus on Social and Community enterprises and their users. By completing this survey you will be helping influence the development of the Social Network. SES will use the findings to develop the business plan and to apply for funding. Here is the link for the survey, which should only take a few minutes to complete: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HQ7R2NL
Getting ready for HealthWatch England
Next month sees a major step in the setting up of HealthWatch England, with the start of the recruitment of its Chair. HealthWatch England will be the national consumer champion that will give voice to collective views of the people who use NHS and social care services in England. Patrick Vernon, Chair of the HealthWatch advisory group said: “HealthWatch England’s Chair will have a pivotal role in providing leadership and establishing it as the new consumer champion for health and social care in England. “The Chair will voice the views of people who use health and social care services to those responsible for services locally and nationally and be able to use those views to influence national policy.” The set up plan for HealthWatch England is at: www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/documents/preparing_for_healthwatch.pdf
FREE COURSES FOR VOLUNTEERS, VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
>> Download the poster for more details.
Patient engagement in specialised health services
Do you (or your members) regularly use a NHS specialised service in England? As part of the Genetic Alliance UK’s work for the transition of specialised services during the NHS reorganisation, they would like to make sure the appropriate patient groups have the opportunity to be engaged with the appropriate specialised services providers. To find out more go to: http://www.geneticalliance.org.uk/gauknews/policy.htm
Lewis-Manning Hospice
Lewis-Manning Hospice is delighted that Jobshop UK has selected them as their ‘charity of the year’ and will continue to raise the vital funds and awareness they need to care for their patients. Jobshop UK located on Poole High Street, will donate funds raised from its charitable events to the hospice which provides free specialist palliative care to local people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.Frances Miles, Jobshop UK Director said: “We are aware of the extraordinary work Lewis-Manning Hospice carries out and we are delighted to continue our support and help patients and their families.” Jobshop UK will help to raise funds for the hospice’s Time to Care Appeal which is aiming to raise £2.5 million to build a new state of the art hospice to support and enhance its current services.
About Face – Mouth Cancer Awareness Week 13-19th November
There will be an opportunity to say hello to About Face at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne on Saturday 12 November (10am-3pm) at the Wimborne in Bloom Charities Fair. About Face will be represented by volunteers David & Celia Hodges at this successful annual event. About Face provides information, help and advice to people experiencing facial cancer, including skin cancer and oral cancers.
Social action for health and well-being
The Department of Health’s strategic vision for volunteering and building co-operative communities was published on 17th October. This report promotes good practice and discusses ways to develop opportunities for volunteers as part of HealthWatch, which will be in place from October 2012: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_130503
Epilepsy Action
Epilepsy Action Bournemouth & Poole Support Group holds regular meetings and offers a variety of social events and informative talks and discussions relating to epilepsy. They offer the opportunity for people to share their experiences of living with epilepsy and help to raise awareness of the condition in the local community. Their next meeting is on Monday 14th November, 7pm to 9pm at Parkstone Christian Centre, Commercial Road, Poole BH14 0JW. To find out more contact Mark Adams on Tel: 07833 663051 or go to: www.epilepsy.org.uk
Hamworthy Network Meeting
The next Hamworthy Network event is on Tuesday 15 November 2011, 12-2pm at the Children’s Centre, Turlin Road, Turlin Moor. Lunch & refreshments are available (nb. lunches need to be booked, so please call Paula to confirm your attendance on 01202 633430). Guest speaker will be Jo Perry, Head Teacher at The Quay School.
Choose Well
Choose well is a guide to help you select the most appropriate NHS service for your symptoms. Last year 50% of people attending the emergency departments in Dorset were not emergencies, often people go there because they do not know where else to go. Choose well can help. You can self treat yourself at home for things like coughs and sore throats by stocking up your medicine cabinet but if you do need help from an NHS service there is plenty available:
- You can call NHS Direct 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0845 46 47 whenever you need health advice and information
- Your local pharmacist can offer you advice on common illnesses and the best medicines to treat them. Find a local pharmacy by visiting www.nhs.uk
- Your GP can offer you medical advice, examinations and prescriptions for illnesses or long-term health conditions. You should be able to get an urgent appointment with a GP at your surgery within 24 hours and all offer extended opening hours
- You can speak to a GP 24 hours a day through the out of hours service on 0845 600 1013
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THINK before you dial 999 or go to the emergency department. An emergency is a critical life or limb threatening situation which may include loss of consciousness, severe chest pain or loss of blood.
Obituary – Linda Moore
Poole LINk stewardship group member, Linda Moore died last month after losing her battle with cancer. We would like to take this opportunity to pass our thoughts and condolences to Linda’s family and friends.
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: