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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
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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: info@banescarerscentre.org.uk
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.
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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: events@thecareforum.org.uk.
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: awp.BASSinBANES@nhs.net
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: gemma.allen5@nhs.net
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: volunteers@wecr.org.uk
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: events@dhibath.org.uk 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: stevew@julianhouse.org.uk
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
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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: connier@julianhouse.org.uk
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
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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: info@healthwatchbathnes.co.uk
W: www.healthwatchbathnes.co.uk
Twitter: @Hwatchbathnes
Facebook: Healthwatch BANES
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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,
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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: alexfrancis@thecareforum.org.uk
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
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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: info@healthwatchbathnes.co.uk
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: healthwatchbathnes@thecareforum.org.uk
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