Champions Newsletter February 2017

Hi Team

I hope that you all had a good Christmas and New Year.

I managed to get a little bit of a rest over Christmas but straight back into it in January.

I picked up that horrible flu bug at the start of January but managed to see the team of 24 of you that have volunteered for PLACE this year.

Patient-led assessments of the care environment (PLACE)

http://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/qual-clin-lead/place/

The team have had a little briefing with me and are now ready to answer the call from the Trusts when they ask for volunteers for the various hospitals.

We also discussed checking up on last year’s actions that should have been completed by now. The team were really supportive so we shall start that piece of work in the spring.

Volunteering Opportunity

Would you like to do some mystery shopping by phone/ computer?

Access to GP appointments is a common theme in the feedback we receive from patients and service users. We would like to undertake a Mystery Shopping exercise looking at identifying current waiting times for routine and urgent appointments, identifying current practice around opening times and the availability of extended opening hours and identifying what guidance is

offered by Practices on how to access support out of hours. We would also like to investigate how Practices register patients and their guidance to patients on the need for ID when registering.This piece of work would be a desktop review – i.e. volunteers can do it from home (access to phone and internet required for this work) and would comprise phoning GPs (using a standard set of questions and guidance notes) and checking Practice websites.We have just under 100 Practices across Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth so we would be looking at possibly 5 volunteers doing this work over a few days/couple of weeks.  My colleague Annie will be taking the lead with this piece of workShe would need 2 hours of your time, to go through the templates/documentation before starting work. Please register your interest with Annie by 24th February.She would be looking to get the work done and a report drafted by the end of March.If you are interested or would like any more information, please contact:Annie Dimmick annie.dimmick@healthwatchdorset.co.uk

Healthwatch Dorset’s latest Newsletter

Louise has put together another very interesting newsletter.

It includes –

Plans unveiled for the future of mental health services in

Dorset

AFC Bournemouth support our "Be Yourself" project”What you've been telling us about the NHS public consultation on the future of health services in DorsetCelebrating our Community Investment Fund Projects 

And loads of other interesting articles.

Please click here to read it:

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8c817cb4724009913844df91a&id=3d4a58cf36

The Future of Mental Health Services in Dorset

East Dorset District Council Chairman’s Award

Chairman launches Community Awards for 2017.

The Chairman of East Dorset District Council, Cllr David Shortell has launched a search for this year's community champions from the district.

The awards, which showcase and celebrate the wonderful community spirit found in our communities, comprise of four categories.

1. Adult Volunteer of the Year2. Young Achiever (under 21 years)3. Best Community Project/Community Group4. Best Business Supporting the Community

You can nominate someone by completing Nomination Form (word, 69kb)(opens in a new window)  Nominations should be made for community champions who have carried out work in the East Dorset area which has been a direct benefit to people within East Dorset.Applications need to be received by 31 March 2017 at 5pm. Nomination forms should be completed and returned to The Chairman, East Dorset District Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Christchurch, BH23 1AZ. Alternatively, forms can also be emailed for the attention of Cllr David Shortell at kmills@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.ukThese highly acclaimed awards will be presented to the winners at a special reception in April 2017.

Making Charges Fairer for Adult Social Care.

Dorset County Council is consulting the public about how it charges people for a contribution towards the cost of their adult social care service.  You have until 13th February to have your say and help shape the future of charging  Find out more...

The Living Tree Cancer Support Group invites you to a Coffee Morning with healthy teas & nibbles!

Thursday 23rd February 2017 10.00am-12.30pm At Beaminster Pavilion, Memorial Playing Fields, Beaminster (parking available)They welcome anyone touched by cancer or interested in knowing more about what The Living Tree can offer Contact: 01308 427851

www.thelivingtree.org.uk

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service... Safe and Well visits

A Safe and Well visit is a totally free service offered by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS).

DWFRS like to visit individuals in their homes, at a convenient time to see what they can do together with the individual to make them safer.  DWFRS can also have a conversation with the individual around improving their health and well-being.

DWFRS will fit free smoke alarms where required and offer advice to make the individual and their family safer and healthier in their home. The appointment normally lasts about one hour and covers topics such as:

Using electricity safely Cooking safely Making an escape plan What to do if there is a fire Keeping children safe Good practice – night time routine and other points relevant to the

individual Identifying and discussing any further support the individual may need if

necessary

To request a free Safe and Well visit in Dorset, please call 0800 038 2323 or click below for an on-line application form.

Online application form

Leaflets

Fire Safety in the Home

Fire Safety in the Home – large print

Make your home fire safe – easy read

Alternatively, you can complete a Safe And Independent Living (SAIL) form via

https://www.mylifemycare.com/safe-and-independent-living/form

SAIL offers Dorset residents a wide range of FREE support, services or information to help keep people safe and independent in their own homes.

For further information or an informal conversation about 'Safe and Well visits' or SAIL, you can contact the Dorset Partnership for Older People Programme (POPP) team on 01305 224841.

Please feel free to share this newsletter and continue to ask people to get in touch if they would like to sign up as a Healthwatch Dorset Volunteer Champion.

Lucy has a plentiful supply of Healthwatch Dorset leaflets and cards, please contact her if you would like some more.

0300 111 0102

I’m going on Holiday

I shall be having a little holiday from 19th February until 12th March.

In my absence, my colleague Lucy Cribb, will be monitoring my emails and dealing with any urgent matters.

If you need to speak to one of the Healthwatch team urgently, please ring 0300 111 0102 and the gateway team will contact someone.

I look forward to contacting you on my return.

Chris WakefieldVolunteer Officer

www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk

chris.wakefield@healthwatchdorset.co.uk