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December 2009 Issue 5

Leicestershire LINk given National Recognition

We are delighted to report that the success of the work, commitment, vision and engagement of Leicestershire’s LINk Board and members has been acknowledged as one of the best functioning and engaging LINks in the Country. As a result of our successful Conference, Leicestershire LINK was chosen to send a member to speak to MP’s and members of the Lords of the All Party Political Group on Public Involvement. This Advisory Group headed by the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, are responsible for ensuring public participation and the effectiveness of the LINks. Despite the short period of time LINks have been running, and the many problems experienced by a large number of LINks across the Country, Leicestershire was picked out as being "Exemplar " (of the highest standard and worthy of copying). Our thanks go to everyone who has contributed.

First LINk to Everest Base Camp

In October, I had an exciting trekking trip to Nepal. We flew to Kathmandu, which is a really amazing city: colourful, vibrant and chaotic. After a busy day sightseeing with visits to Hindu and Buddhist temples, we caught the early morning flight to Lukla. We flew in a tiny plane and so close to the mountains that you felt you could touch them. Landing on an uphill airstrip approximately 300 metres long was breathtaking and a little scary. We were on a fully supported trek with porters carrying all our kit except day sacks. Christine in training for reaching the

remoter parts of Leicestershire

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We took two days to reach Namche Bazaar the Sherpa capital. Almost everything is carried in by porters and we saw people carrying horrendous loads. From Namche Bazaar, it took 5 days to reach a tiny high settlement at a place called Gokyo. Every day the sun shone and we had stunning views of Everest and many other Himalayan giants such as Amadalam. Although the days were beautiful, the nights were freezing cold - camping at 17,000 feet with temperatures down as low as minus 15c requires good equipment, which fortunately I had. From Gokyo, we got up at 3.30 am. to climb Gokyo Ridge to watch the dawn break over the Everest range. The views were stunning and certainly worth the early start. Following this ascent we walked across a glacier to the bottom of the Cho La Pass. The next day was challenging climbing steeply to 17,783 feet but a wonderful feeling as we reached the top and crossed the glacier in the sunshine. After we crossed the pass, we walked down into the Khumbu valley and began our final climb towards Everest Base Camp. Our final camp site was at a place called Gorak Shep 17,000 feet and it was VERY cold at night!! Everything was freezing in the tent except us. The next day we walked along the glacial moraine to reach base camp. It felt quite emotional to finally stand at base camp and look up at the Khumbu icefall to where mountaineering history was made. The next day we had another early 5.00 am. start to climb Kalar Patar 18,000 feet for more stunning views of Everest. We then started our descent, gradually leaving the rocky landscapes for the gentler green of trees and flowers. It was good to be breathing air with more oxygen. We had fantastic support from our Sherpa team and the early morning tea was particularly welcome. The Nepalese are a very friendly, gentle people and we appreciated having some experience of a very different culture. At times it was hard, partly due to some health and altitude problems, but it was a truly unforgettable experience. Christine Middleton Engagement Officer

Leicestershire LINk - Spreading the Word

We have now published our LINk leaflet, which outlines what we do and how you can become involved. To date, we have distributed over 3,000 to GP surgeries, Leicestershire County Council and some to the local libraries. Please look out for the them when you next visit your GP, and if you can’t see them, then let us know or ask at Reception if they have received the Leicestershire LINk leaflets.

If you are an organisation and could display the LINk leaflets, or would like some for your

local group, please contact us. Don’t forget Leicestershire LINk leaflets have been to

Everest Base Camp!

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Continued overleaf/...

Your Health, Your Services, Your Say

The Leicestershire LINk Younger People’s Group gets underway We are now forming a young peoples group whose aim will be to communicate the health needs of Leicestershire’s younger people directly to health care commissioners and providers. The first meeting will be held early in 2010, where health issues can be raised and actions agreed. The group will be led by young people between the ages of up to 16 and 16 to 25. Do you know of

anyone who would like to join this group, they can join as part of a group or as an individual. This is an important opportunity for young people to have their say about local health services, how they are delivered and influence their future path. For more information please contact Ian Clowes, Engagement Officer

Around the County

We would like to thank all the people who took time out to speak to us about their issues with health and social care services. Since March 2009, we have been visiting the people of Leicestershire in their home towns. So far, we have visited Loughborough, Hinckley, Melton, Coalville, Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Wigston, Oadby and Ashby. As a result of this, the LINk is now much more informed about local need in Leicestershire. These are just some of the ‘headline’ issues:

GPs surgeries - restricted opening times, and having to wait, in some cases for several days, before being able to get an appointment.

NHS Dentists - the picture here was of a very patchy service across the county, whether provided by the NHS or private sector.

Local Hospitals - widely supported and valued by local people.

Hospitals in Leicester - the most common issue was the difficulty and expense of parking, closely followed by confusion over booking dates for treatments, scans and consultations resulting in wasted visits.

These visits have proved to be very successful, with more people being made aware of the LINk and what we do. We have enjoyed meeting people and hearing about local issues, which has helped us to develop a greater understanding. Once again thanks to local people, District

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Introduction to the New Board

Leicestershire LINk is delighted to announce that the newly appointed Board is now in place and met for the first time in December. In September, we sent a letter to all LINk members inviting nominations to the LINk Board. This resulted in an excellent response, with all 15 places being filled. Members appointed bring a very wide and varied range of experience and skills to the Board, which will be invaluable to the LINk. Some of the members appointed had served on the previous Board and brought the LINk through the transitional stage but it is also brilliant to see new people want to get involved. Prospective candidates provided a statement on the skills and knowledge they would bring to the LINk Board, also whether they could represent a particular area or interest. They also completed a Declaration of Interests, which is held in a register by the Host organisation, CVS Community Partnership. LINk Board meetings are open for people to come along, and we would positively welcome this. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 at 10.30 am. at the Market Harborough Methodist Church Centre - future meetings will be advertised in the LINk newsletter and the website. Minutes are available to view on the LINk website www.leicestershirelink.org.uk or you can request copies.

Leicestershire LINk Board Members The newly appointed LINk Board members and the information they provided is detailed below: Richard Akers, John Baker, Fiona Barber, Eric Charlesworth, Maureen (Mo) Fowler, Sakarlal Gajjar, Beverly (Bev) Gillman, Colin Headley, Jacqueline (Jackie) Mitchell, Margaret Moore, Geoff Onslow, Patricia Overty, Karen Simpson, Richard Smith, Wendy Watters.

Richard Akers From 1950-59, I worked in hospital pathology laboratories, the pioneering days of the NHS, before going to University. From 1964-66, I worked as an Assistant Lecturer at London University and later retired in 2000 as Senior Lectureship in Chemical Engineering in Loughborough. I am a member of Charnwood U3A and was on the Committee until 2007, three years as membership Secretary and three years as Chairman during a period of rapid growth to over 400 members and 50+ interest groups. As a satisfied in-patient I joined Charnwood Patient Public Interface Forum. I am interested in seeing how the NHS works, compared with earlier experiences. I took an active part in inspection of Hygiene and Infection Control in Primary Care Trust (PCT) administered premises and GP surgeries and after dissolution of forums involved in Patient Environment Action Team inspection of Coalville Hospital. I was invited to join the LINk Transitional Board and have been a member of Leicestershire LINk Board since inauguration. I am also a member of the Project Group of Leicestershire LINk. The particular projects I have been involved with are Carers and Dementia. I also represent the LINk on Leicestershire Older Persons’ Engagement Network (OPEN).

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I will take a special interest in:

Charnwood

Older People

Carers

John Baker I have lived in North West Leicestershire for over 30 years. My wife is a School Nurse in Derbyshire. I have a Business Marketing and Management background having managed several companies for over 25 years. I am currently a Board Member and I Chair the Communication and Publicity Sub-Group. I am also a member of the Governance and Chairs’ group. I am a member of the Ashby Hospital and the Coalville Hospital site group for the Community Hospitals Review. I was previously a member of the Patients and Public Health Forum for Leicestershire and Rutland and I was a member of the Hygiene and Inspection Group. I will take a special interest in:

North West Leicestershire

Fiona Barber Through being a member of the LINk Board, I would like to help continue the delivery of services for the people of Leicestershire. I have a keen interest in continuous improvement and having people’s voices actually listened to. I believe feedback is an excellent way of understanding what services are delivering and I feel both health and social care services should be supported by people, like myself, acting as critical friends. I have an eye for detail, am a good listener and a desire to make a difference. I will take a special interest in:

Charnwood

Older People

Eric Charlesworth For the past 13 years I have played an active role in the health and social care provision at GP and hospital levels. For 4 years I was Chair of the Community Health Council followed by being the Chairman of CHC’s replacement - patient forums, for 1 year prior to my appointment as a Non Executive Director at University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL). I have tried to ensure my knowledge and experience can be used to ensure the voice and views of those who use the services are respected and listened to. I remain active as a current member of the LINk Board of both Leicestershire and Leicester LINks. I am also a member of the Leicester Mercury Patients’ Panel. My professional career of 42 years was in Social Care as a Social Worker and Senior Manager in Mental Health, Care for the Elderly, and Learning Difficulties.

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I am keen to ensure the voice of the public remains strong and their views influence the services and quality provided. I want to enable people to use their own skills, knowledge and experience to influence services for everyone both now and for future generations. I will take a special interest in:

Oadby & Wigston

Young People

Older People

Black & Minority Ethnic communities

Disabilities

Carers

Refugees, Asylums Seekers, Gypsies and Travellers

Economic Exclusion

Mo Fowler I have been involved in the voluntary sector in Leicestershire for a number of years working with and supporting our most vulnerable residents, particularly older people. The roles I have covered have given me experience in organising events, communication skills, working with volunteers and linked me in to a vast network of organisations and groups. I currently work for a national charity supporting people affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Cortico Basal Degeneration (CBD), which are relatively rare neurological conditions. This work has given me experience in working with health and social care professionals across the county to raise awareness of the conditions and an understanding of many issues affecting Carers. I am a member of the Neurological Alliance and am registered as a Dignity Champion with the national campaign and try to ensure all my work adheres to the good practice around this strategy. I also work for a local Voluntary Action which provides a variety of direct services to those who need support for a variety of reasons. This has provided me with knowledge of care and health strategies both locally and nationally. I will take a special interest in:

Blaby District

Charnwood

Harborough District

Hinckley & Bosworth

Melton

North West Leicestershire

Oadby & Wigston

Older People

Disabilities

Carers

Sakarlal Gajjar Besides a trained media communicator, I am conversant with organisational and development, and strategic work plan. As a previous Chair of the Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) Forum for Eastern Leicester, I have experience of working with NHS, Community groups, and Local Authority and Carers’ groups and know how to conduct meetings and work in team spirit in the best interest

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of patients. I joined the LINk to raise awareness among the local communities about the aims and objectives of LINk and to try to engage and empower them to improve the Health and Social care services. I will continue the programme of the previous PPI Forum as much as possible and to carry out inspection and visits to GP surgeries and University Hospitals and Residential Care homes, in the best interest of the patients. I will try to ensure that Community Health Centres are well equipped with adequate resources, expertise, and infrastructure to meet the local needs and to provide greater access and qualitative care at the right place at the right time promptly and efficiently. I am interested to work on the projects of ‘care closer to home’, early discharge, and rehabilitation service, patients’ choice and hospital waiting list, Children and Mental Health Services. I will take a special interest in:

Older People

Black & Minority Ethnic Communities

Disabilities

Carers

Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Gypsies and Travellers

Beverly Gillman I am a wife, mother and grandmother with experience of Long Term Medical Conditions and the role of a Carer. I am a retired teacher and have taught in Junior, High and Upper Schools. I also spent some years teaching in a college in the East Leicester area, and thus have a good insight into the problems that can be experienced by ethnic minorities. I have been both a member of a Parent Teacher Association and a School Governor and am now acting as a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. I have been actively involved in Patient & Public matters for several years. I was the Chair of the Charnwood & North West Leicestershire Patient & Public Involvement Forum (PPIF) and, following the amalgamation of the county forums, I became the Chair of the Leicestershire County & Rutland PPIF. During this period I chaired two large public meetings to allow the public to communicate their concerns to the Directors of the Primary Care Trusts. I also chaired and co-ordinated the work of the Hygiene & Infection Control Group of forum members who regularly inspected and reported on the Community Hospitals. More recently I acted as the public representative on the Patient Environment Action Team for the inspection of Loughborough Hospital. Within the above roles I represented the public at various committees of the NHS Trusts and at the Board meetings. I have continued to attend and report back to the LINk on the NHS Leicestershire County & Rutland Trust Board meetings. I am a member of the Loughborough Hospital site group and the Transport & Access Group for the Community Hospitals’ Review. Since joining the Leicestershire LINk I have been an active member of both the Communications Group and the Project Group. I have recently been involved in organising the Carers’ Event & the LINk Conference. I will take a special interest in:

Charnwood

Young People

Older People

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Black & Minority Ethnic communities

Disabilities

Carers

Colin Headley I am a founder member of Leicestershire LINk and Chairman since foundation. I will take a special interest in:

Blaby District

Jacqueline Mitchell As a young stroke victim, I am able to offer my own experiences in having a stroke at a young age, and what the Adult Social Services may or may not have provided for me. I will take a special interest in:

Hinckley & Bosworth

Young People

Disabilities

Carers

Margaret Moore I am currently working with and for the elderly in Melton Mowbray and have done for several years. I was instrumental in changing a sheltered scheme into an Extra Care scheme whereby tenants could come back from hospital rather than going into residential care. This highlighted a bigger problem for us as there are not enough Extra Care places available, which will continue if nothing is done in the future to secure more places for our ageing population. There is also a need for Extra Care schemes for people suffering from Dementia as there is nowhere in Leicestershire for them to go except residential care. The personalisation agenda appears to point to Direct Payments as the way forward but there are problems with this in the community. That is why the pilot project looks promising as it will start in a sheltered scheme and fan out from there (the hub and spoke model). I will take a special interest in:

Melton

Older People

Disabilities

Carers

Geoffrey Onslow For over 20 years I taught the sociology of health and medicine, which gave me a good background into the way the NHS works and many of the issues involved. My practical experience includes:

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Member of Leicestershire Community Health Council

Member/Chair of Melton, Rutland and Harborough PPIF 2003-2006

Member/Vice Chair and then Co Chair of Leicestershire County & Rutland PPIF

Chair of LLC&R PPIF Joint Committee

Chair of Melton Health Forum

Vice Chair of Melton Community Partnership

Elected Member of Melton Borough Council 1995-2003 I am a member and Chair of ‘Living with Pain’ Self-Help Group for those suffering chronic pain. I will take a special interest in:

Melton

Older People

Patricia Overty I have been an active member of Leicestershire LINk since April 2008, on the Transitional Steering Group, LINk Board, Project Group, Communications Group, and leading the Mental Health Group. I have been a Board Member of Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) for 10 years and Chair for 3 years. I have been an active campaigner on disability issues, a trained counsellor and mentor, and also a counsellor with Rape Crisis for 3 years. I am a firm believer in patient and public empowerment, which underpins the work of the LINk. I have been trained on all stages of the Disability Discrimination Act, deaf awareness, equality issues, visual impairment awareness and Welcome Host with the English Tourist Board. I will take a special interest in:

Older People

Disabilities

Karen Simpson I have significant personal health and social care experience both as a recipient and as someone who has worked in the framework of health and social care at many levels since 1975 to date. I believe being proactive in changing our environments is positive and believe all stakeholders should have a voice. I am able to represent all equally and fairly and at all levels as I have done equally simply as a Member. I have particular skills in the framework of Youth, Mental Health, Sexuality, Social Care, Disability, Women and Girls, and Housing amongst other issues. I will take a special interest in:

Young People

Older People

Disabilities

Carers

Economic Exclusion

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Would you like the LINk to visit your group?

If your organisation would be interested in a visit from the LINk to talk about our role, and the different ways in which everyone can be involved, please contact us.

Our contact details are on Page 12 or you could visit the

Leicestershire LINk website www.leicestershirelink.org.uk

Richard Smith I have been involved in Patient and Public Involvement as part of East Midlands Ambulance and Derbyshire County PCT Patient and Public Forums. My involvement in LINks has been intense, almost full time, and therefore I have a considerable knowledge in LINk structures. My background has been in industry at Foreman level, requiring problem solving, team selection and personal assessment. My approach is hands on and I have led from the front. I will take a special interest in:

Older People

Wendy Watters

I was a Carer for my father and I did not know that you could get help for things or allowance until he was put in care. I think there should be more information about this. I was also a Volunteer at Age Concern (in the shop). I will take a special interest in:

North West Leicestershire

Older People

Disabilities

Economic Exclusion

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The Future of Adult Social Care and how it

affects YOU!

On 27 November, the Leicestershire LINk and Leicestershire County Council held an event at Parklands Leisure Centre about the new personalisation agenda.

The purpose was to provide an opportunity for LINk members to gain a better understanding of Adult Social Care services both now and in the future. It also provided a forum to develop ideas about how the LINk and Leicestershire County Council could work together, and how the LINk could be involved in shaping the personalisation agenda.

This proved to be a popular and lively event attended by over 100 people. There were speakers from Adult Social Care, Leicestershire County Council and from a LINk member. What did people say? In the afternoon there was the opportunity for everyone to share their views about the impact of personalisation, through lively workshop discussions. There were many important issues and concerns raised and clearly this is a subject that requires lots more work to provide more information and allay peoples concerns. Important concerns such as safeguarding issues and the quality of care were raised. Representatives from the voluntary sector raised issues about its impact on the 3rd sector and the processes necessary to ensure that the voluntary sector adapts to these changes. On the positive side, people who are already on Direct Payments clearly feel that the system works well for them. Most people who attended the event felt that they learnt more about personalisation and its benefits. Importantly, most people also felt that they had a greater understanding about what the LINk is trying to achieve. Join us to help take the ‘Next steps’ Representatives from the LINk will meet with colleagues from Leicestershire County Council to discuss the best way of taking the issues forward. We will keep you in touch with developments through the newsletter. Please contact the LINk if you would like to be involved in a task group looking at this topic or have views you would like to share with us.

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LINk Welcomes New Staff

We are delighted to announce that 3 new staff will be joining the Leicestershire LINk staff in the New Year. This is fantastic news for the LINk and will mean we are able to do much more by getting out and about and speaking to people. Kamini Patel has been appointed as the Network Development Officer, and she starts on the 5 January. Kamini will be talking to local groups about their health and social care issues and encouraging people to get involved with the LINk. She will be focussing on people and groups who are less well heard. Kamini has been working in Nottinghamshire but is really looking forward to getting around the County and meeting groups in Leicestershire, so please look out for her in your area, and if you would like her to come and talk to your group, please contact us. We have also appointed a Policy Officer and a Communications Officer but are awaiting start dates. The Policy Officer will be focussing on both new and changing policy as it emerges locally and from government, to ensure that the LINk is fully aware, informed and in a much better position to influence and shape new services. She will also be undertaking research projects into health and social care issues that LINk members raise with us. It’s also likely that with the more in-depth knowledge and advice of the Policy Officer, we will be running more consultation events, to make sure we get the LINk voice heard. The Communications Officer will lead on promoting and communicating all the activities of the LINk. This will include reviewing our current LINk Newsletter and making sure the information is relevant and interesting to you. The LINk website will also see a major overhaul, with more areas for information, which is up to date. We will be producing new LINk posters and also, for those who do have email, a regular LINk E-News. These new posts will be wholly focused on increasing the involvement of the public and organisations in the development and scrutiny of Health and Social Care services in the County. In the next newsletter, the new staff will be

introducing themselves.

Visit the Leicestershire LINk website: www.leicestershirelink.org.uk

Contact Us The Leicestershire LINk covers Leicestershire and is hosted by CVS Community Partnership. Based at: Beaumont Enterprise Centre Boston Road Leicester LE4 1HB General email: info@leicestershirelink.org.uk Website: www.leicestershirelink.org.uk Gill Wollerton Project Manager Tel: 0116 229 3028 Email: gill@ccp.org.uk Ian Clowes Engagement Officer Tel: 0116 229 3050 Email: ian@ccp.org.uk Christine Middleton Engagement Officer Tel: 0116 229 3048 Email: christine@ccp.org.uk