August 2011 e-news

Hello from the Somerset LINk, 

Where we’ve been beavering away in our rather stuffy office finishing off the Patient Transport Report, which is finally ready for you to read - big cheers all round! We’ve also spent a wholesome day filing all our paperwork and tidying up the office, which entailed many trips to the recycling bins next to the pig-field - so we now have a super-tidy office for you to admire if you are passing by  (or coming to our meeting on 23rd August - see below for more info).

But we’re not just busy filing - here’s the latest news roundup from the Somerset LINk:

Patient Transport Report

Our report on patients' views on transport in Somerset is now complete. You can read the report and our recommendations here. The issue which arose most frequently was a lack of clear information, and we’ve made sure that our recommendations focus on improving ways of communicating all the travel options for patients (which had us jolly confused too!).  We’ll be sending our report and recommendations to the people that run the transport services and we’ll let you know how they respond in due course.

Supported Housing Providers: Views of needs in Somerset

During June and July 2011 we spoke to supported housing providers to get their views on supported housing needs in Somerset for the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). We heard from twelve Supported Housing providers, who in total support around 2,450 people across Somerset each year. The responses to the survey show that there is a great deal of concern about reductions to funding and how the current financial climate will impact upon both clients and providers over the next three years. You can read our findings here.

Our NEW project for 2011: Tell your story

Well we know that we told you this last time, but we’re telling you again because we’re excitedly awaiting a delivery of new leaflets from the printer! This year we’re collecting patient stories: we really want to find out what’s happening across Somerset in GP surgeries, hospitals, clinics, care homes – and all the other health and social care services across the county.  We’ll be collecting stories via surveys, email and the telephone and telling your stories to the people that run the services. We’re also looking for anyone who either wants to tell their story, or wants to help us distribute surveys – so if that might be you, please get in touch.

WALK THIS WAY! Podiatry Patient Representatives Wanted

Somerset Podiatry Service are looking for patient representatives who have used their services! Have you used the podiatry service in the last year, or do you care for someone who has? The podiatry service (sometimes called the chiropody service) works in the community looking after people's feet - everything from toenail cutting services to footcare workshops. The podiatry service has a Patient Forum and is looking for patients who would like to share their experiences of using the service in order to help the service develop and improve. There’s no travel or hassle involved - because it’s all done by post! Have you used the podiatry service? Would you be prepared to share your experiences as a patient representative? Please get in touch with Alison Birket at the Podiatry service, by emailing Alison.Birket@somcomhealth.nhs.ukor telephoning 01749 836536.

Enter & View Training

We’ll be holding an Enter & View training workshop at the end of September. This will be for new volunteers who want to join our Enter & View Team, who visit residential homes and compile reports on their findings. If you are interested in joining our team, please email somersetlink@makesachange.org.uk and we’ll send you further information.

This month’s LINk Meeting

This month’s LINk meeting is on Tuesday 23rd August from 11am in the Hambridge office.  We’ll be having an informal chat with Jane Poole from the CQC and discussing current LINk work. You are welcome to come along to any part of the meeting. Please let Theresa know if you are coming so can we plan a sufficiency of biscuits - email Theresa.Stanton@helpandcare.org.ukand she’ll send you an agenda.

What else have we done this month?

Reports, meetings and chatting to the piggies – it’s been another busy month, so here’s a rundown of what we’ve been up to since our last update! So this month …. We attended Somerset Community Health’s PPI meeting, held a LINk public meeting in Frome (minutes here), carried out an Enter & View visit, corresponded with Somerset County Council about carers issues and NHS Somerset in support of the Give Carers A Break campaign, we’ve discussed local residential homes with the CQC, given a talk on the JSNA  to the Taunton Deane Borough Council Supported Housing Forum, attended the Technical Working Group for the JSNA, attended the North Taunton and Taunton East Visioning Event - and Jonathon has been busy writing up two new Enter & View reports that will be ready for reading very soon.

Pass it on

Do you have friends or family who have an interest in health or social care services? Please do forward our emails and spread the word – we’re all part of the LINk and we want to make sure as many people as possible know about our work!

That's all folks!

That's all from us for now, but we’ll send another update in September .... in the meantime, drop us a line if you have any questions about our work or any views on health and social services in Somerset!

Best wishes from the staff team (and the pigs) at the Somerset LINk!