Posted: July 30, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Carers | Tags: A Skills Workshop for Family Carers, Clinical Psychologist, Eating Disorders & Carers, Family Carers' Workshop, mental health illness, MINDFULNESS AND MINDING-LESS, Skills Workshop, Training |
Dear All
I have attached details of a Family Carers’ Workshop that Andre Geel and I are running on Saturday 11th October as outlined below. Please do pass this on to anyone who you think would be interested in attending. This workshop is for any family member looking after someone with a mental health illness. Many thanks. Best wishes Veronica
“MINDFULNESS AND MINDING-LESS”
A Skills Workshop for Family Carers
with
Andre Geel – Consultant Clinical Psychologist
&
Veronica Kamerling – Experienced Carer – Trainer
Saturday 11th October 2014
Registration: 09.00am Start: 0930 Finish: 16.30
The Fitzrovia Room, Park Crescent Conference Centre,
International Students House, 229 Great Portland Street London, W1W 5PN
Cost: £63.00 per person to include morning tea and coffee
BOOKING FORM FOR THE CARERS WORKSHOP SATURDAY 11th OCTOBER 2014
WORKSHOP FLYER FOR MINDFULNESS – MIND-LESS with Andre Geel 11th October…
Veronica Kamerling
Eating Disorders & Carers
01256 704117
07733 260 475
- eatingdisordersandcarers.co.uk
- londoncarersgroup.org.uk
Posted: July 30, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: ESA, DLA, PIP & Universal Credit | Tags: benefits, Department of Work and Pensions, DWP, Job Seeker Sanction Advice |
A new website run by “a small network of 3 disgruntled ex- Department of Work and Pensions civil servants”, featuring advice on how to foil sanctions.
http://jobseekersanctionadvice.com/
Via Boycott Workfare
Posted: July 25, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Arts, Southwark | Tags: Art Space, boxing works, Exhibition, Garden Works, massage works, Mental Health, mind works, Mon 28th July at The Dragon Café, on & off open mic, photo works, research, SLaM, The Dragon Cafe's |
Create, Relate and Celebrate
Join us for a final Monday before we take a Summer break at the mid-point of The Dragon Cafe’s second year. Our Summer Medley will ensure there is music and movement through the day, but we also have opportunities to look closer at mental health care in Southwark with SLaM Presents at 2 pm, and developments in biomedical approaches in Research Works at 2.30 pm. In the evening you can get moving with VivArtista at 6.15 pm and a ‘flashmob’ style performance then join our Dragon for dance, drumming and celebration from 7 pm. Vive The Dragon Café!
PLEASE NOTE: we will be closed through August returning on Monday 1st September.
Posted: July 25, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, What we do | Tags: blogs, funding, Ray Johannsen-Chapman, SLaM, SLaM Twig Ops, South London Involvement Forum, subscribers, Update re the future of our social media |
Dear Subscribers,
We posted last month that funding would cease for our social media on 30th September: https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/funding-will-cease-for-our-social-media-in-less-than-3-months/
One of subscribers wrote in to the Trust as we requested, and Sarah Crack, from SLaM Comms, replied to them, copied to us. In Sarah’s email she said that the funding would now cease on Monday 8th September, almost a month earlier than we were told last month. We’re also concerned that a decision made by the Involvement team is being communicated to a third party, and by another bit of the organisation.
We wrote expressing our concern at this to SLaM on Monday 21st July, and on Thursday 24th July this new date was confirmed by Ray Johannsen-Chapman in the attached letter.
from Ray July 2014
We still can’t understand why they are closing our media before they have replacements in place.
SLaM has contested some of our posts, including us posting articles from the Guardian newspaper. We feel that this is over-cautious. All of us working in the variety of social media try to be very careful what we share with you and it would be good to know how you think we are doing. We don’t seek to take up an adversarial position with the Trust and we believe that everything that we post or send to you via our other social media is in the public interest.
Here are some excerpts from some of the emails we’ve received. It would be great if you could add your voice to them, and / or explore other avenues of funding for us to continue our work.
Best wishes,
D
Blog administrator
.
I’ve read that funding of the SLaM Involvement Forums’ online presence is due to stop in the near future.
I use your social media in several ways;
– as a member of SLaM and a former service user I continue to value my recovery and now I am no longer under services a large part of this is online. Whilst it is true that there is a vast amount of online information, blogs and social media around mental health I like things to be from a trusted and reliable source like SLaM (oh the joys of having paranoia in your diagnosisJ)
– In my work role I send in details of events and activities that are coming up which I know reach people we would otherwise not come into contact with
– I hear about events which I may not be aware of and pass them onto our service users and disseminate them across my networks. I’m sure I’m not alone in doing this and this must extend the reach of the SLaM social media platforms far beyond the number of subscribers and visits.
People with a MH diagnosis are far less likely to use computers for a variety of reasons and I feel this decision moves them further from integration into the online community
I would be interested to know why, in an age where the power and importance of social media is growing by the day, funding has been taken from this resource.
.
I am writing to register my disappointment that the social media project SLAM TWIG Operations has had their funding cut.
In times where mental health services users’ benefits and services are being taken away, SLAM TWIGS was a beacon of light that gave hope through sharing opportunities and providing connections in a disconnecting world.
I, as a SLAM service user, found it invaluable in my recovery to move forward and not get lost in recovery’s no man land, where you pushed out of services with no signposts to help you on your way. SLAM TWIG provided some of those signposts.
Please reconsider your action.
.
I was very disappointed to find out that funding was to cease for the South London Involvement Forum.
I was directed towards the Forum earlier this year. I find their weekly digest full of useful information and details of all sorts of activities around the boroughs.
In particular I find their reports on the Hear Us meetings excellent. There must be an awful lot of effort put into them. I am not always able to attend the entire meeting and need the Forums detailed reports to find out what I missed and to clarify areas I did not understand.
I believe SLaM should be publicising the Forum as a resource rather than removing its funding. I find it far more useful than the displays of leaflets and posters around SLaM properties which can often be out of date.
.
I am a SLaM service user and member of the Involvement Register. I am writing to beg you to reconsider your decision to cut the funding from the service user blog. This is an invaluable form of social inclusion and involvement that myself and others benefit from everyday. If I am unable to get out of the house due to worsening of my condition, the blog keeps me informed and makes me feel connected to the community. When I am able to get involved, it offers me news and opportunities for bits of work, and also info about local groups, charities and advice. Mainly it is run by service users for service users so our views are represented and taken seriously.
I can’t believe the small amount it takes to run these services is deemed to be unnecessary. It will take away a valuable service and take away yet another small thing that improves the quality of my life.
I hope you take this view into account
.
Quite a shock about the possibility of having the funding discontinued for all of your great reporting online.
I particularly look forward to Matthew’s video analysis, for example.
…
I really appreciate receiving these regular email news bulletins from you, to inform me and keep me up to date with opportunities in ‘our’ community, and if at all possible would use a modest amount of my income to support you financially in the future to help you continue your good work.
This is a deserving cause alright.
Hoping to hear some better news..
.
I was really upset to see that the well established social media activities relating to TWIG are to cease. I know from the recent SLAM magazine that a larger social media body exists but I do not have a relationship with those postings and feel reluctant to form one.
D Rosier is a trusted, effective service user involvement expert and her judgment regarding the posts on TWIG which balance opportunities in work and education and socially as well as useful information regarding benefit changes and activities that highlight how people with lived experience of mental distress feel about their treatment.
Posted: July 24, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Carers, Events | Tags: “Living with an Eating Disorder”, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders & Carers, National Carers Conference |
Dear All
Please find attached details of the National Carers’ Conference in Eating Disorders as outlined below. Please do pass this on to anyone who you think would be interested in attending. Many thanks. Best wishes Veronica
Booking form for National Carers’ Conference 22.7.14
National Carers Conference in Eating Disorders 22.7.14
National Carers Conference in Eating Disorders
Sponsored by Ellern Mede Ridgeway
on Friday 21st November 2014
Professor Janet Treasure OBE and Gill Todd RMN, MSc,
invite you to a day discussing
“Living with an Eating Disorder”
Veronica Kamerling
Eating Disorders & Carers
01256 704117
07733 260 475
- eatingdisordersandcarers.co.uk
- londoncarersgroup.org.uk
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: ESA, DLA, PIP & Universal Credit, News | Tags: 'vulnerable' group, back-to-work schemes, benefit claimants, Benefit sanctions, benefits system, DWP, government, hardship payments, Jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus adviser, local authorities, Oakley's report, social security, Work Programme |
Claimants not told about hardship system and sanctions imposed when they were not at fault, DWP study finds
Many jobcentre advisers identified a ‘vulnerable’ group who tended to be sanctioned more than others, the report said.
Systematic problems in the way the government administers and imposes benefit sanctions, including disproportionate burdens on the most vulnerable, are revealed in a report commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The report found the way in which the DWP communicated with claimants was legalistic, unclear and confusing. The most vulnerable claimants were often left at a loss as to why benefits were stopped and frequently not informed by the DWP about hardship payments to which they were entitled, it said.
It also revealed serious flaws in how sanctions were imposed, with Work Programme providers required to send participants for sanctions when they knew they had done nothing wrong, leaving “claimants … sent from pillar to post”.
The independent report was written for the DWP by Matthew Oakley, a respected welfare expert who has worked as an economic adviser for the Treasury and for the centre-right thinktank Policy Exchange.
He is widely acknowledged as one of the leading thinkers on welfare on the centre right and as a result his criticisms, couched in careful language, are all the more damaging for a government that has consistently said the sanction regime is fair.
The DWP responded to the report by saying it would be updating the way it talked to benefit claimants, setting up a specialist team to look at all communications, including claimant letters, and working more closely with local authorities and advice centres to simplify the system.
The government will also streamline “the robust checks and and balances that are already in place that give claimants the opportunity to provide evidence why they have not complied with the rules”.
It will also clarify the guidance on how claimants can access hardship payments, as well as co-operate more closely with Work Programme providers so there is more integration about what a claimant is permitted to do without facing the threat of a benefit sanction.
Oakley’s report said: “No matter what system of social security is in place, if it is communicated poorly, if claimants do not understand the system and their responsibilities and if they are not empowered to challenge decisions they believe to be incorrect and seek redress, then it will not fulfil its purpose. It will be neither fair nor effective.”
Although Oakley said the regime was not fundamentally broken, he made 17 recommendations for reform.
His terms of reference confined him to the way in which sanctions are administered on mandatory back-to-work schemes, which cover a third of those claimants at risk of being sanctioned, but he said his proposed reforms were relevant to the entire benefits system.
The report said “letters were, on the whole, found to be complex and difficult to understand. Partly as a result of the legal requirements the department has to fulfil when it writes to claimants, regular concerns were that letters:
• Were overly long and legalistic in their tone and content;
• Lacked personalised explanations of the reason for sanction referrals;
• Were not always clear around the possibility of and process surrounding appeals or application for hardship payments; and
• Were particularly difficult for the most vulnerable claimants to understand – meaning that the people potentially most in need of the hardship system were the least likely to be able to access it.”
The report added: “Actual and sample letters that the review team saw were hard to understand (even for those working in the area), unclear as to why someone was being sanctioned and confusingly laid out.”
The review found that many people “expressed concerns that the first that claimants knew of adverse decisions was when they tried to get their benefit payment out of a cash point but could not”.
The report also said jobcentre advisers had highlighted the damage sanctions imposed on the most vulnerable. It stated: “Many advisers also highlighted the difficulties of communicating with particular groups of claimants. In particular, many advisers identified a ‘vulnerable’ group who tended to be sanctioned more than the others because they struggled to navigate the system. This concern for the vulnerable claimants was consistent throughout the visits.
“For these groups, particular difficulties were highlighted around the length of time it could take to ensure some claimants fully understood what was required of them and in conveying that a ‘sanction’ could entail the loss of benefit for a prolonged period of time.”
The report also criticised the failure of the jobcentre to highlight hardship payments. It said: “A more specific concern surrounding the hardship system was that only those claimants that asked about help in Jobcentre Plus were told about the hardship system. Advisers, decision makers and advocate groups argued that this means that groups with poorer understanding of the system are less likely to gain access.
“Since, on the whole, more vulnerable claimants are those with the poorest understanding of the system, this suggests that some of those most in need are also those least able to access hardship.”
The report also found that providers of mandatory work schemes were unable to make legal decisions regarding good reasons for missing appointments and so had to impose sanctions.
“This means that they have to refer all claimants who fail to attend a mandatory interview to a decision maker even if the claimant has provided them with what would ordinarily count as good reason in Jobcentre Plus. This situation results in confusion as the claimant does not understand why they are being referred for a sanction.
“A very high proportion of referrals for sanctions from mandatory back-to-work schemes are subsequently cancelled or judged to be non-adverse.”
A lack of coordination between the jobcentre and Work Programme can “result in a situation where claimants are passed from pillar to post, without either Jobcentre Plus or providers taking responsibility for explaining the claimant’s situation. More commonly, we heard that Jobcentre Plus advisers had to spend large amounts of time dealing with claimants’ queries about sanctions from mandatory schemes.”
Poor understanding of the good reason process mean claimants subsequently appeal a sanction and often win, at cost to the DWP and taxpayer.
A key reason the report found for the confusion was that, because different organisations use different IT systems, neither providers nor Jobcentre Plus hold all the information needed about a claimant’s current experience and potential sanctions.
Via welfare news service via http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/22/benefit-sanctions-vulnerable-people-hardship-dwp-report
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News | Tags: Alice Glover, Mood Anxiety & Personality CAG and Psychological Medicine CAG, Patient & Public Involvement Lead, SLaM advisory groups, SLaM updates about service user / carer involvement |
Hello everyone,
Please find attached our ‘new look’ summaries about how 2 of the SLaM advisory groups are working with staff to improve services. The summaries are 2 sides of A4 now, so longer, but hopefully look more appealing to read.
MAP CAG advisory group summary newsletter July 2014
psychological medicine advisory group summary newsletter july 2014
Please distribute as appropriate and let me know if you would like paper copies to share with anyone interested.
With best wishes,
Alice
Alice Glover
Patient & Public Involvement Lead – Mood Anxiety & Personality CAG and Psychological Medicine CAG
email: alice.glover@slam.nhs.uk tel: 020 3228 0959
113 Denmark Hill |The Maudsley Hospital | Denmark Hill | London | SE5 8AZ
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, Southwark | Tags: Ausism to Autism service, Bexley, Blackfriars Settlement, bromley, CAS, Community Action Southwark, Cooltan Arts, Greenwich, Healthwatch Southwark Manager, Healthwatch Southwark's latest enewsletter, lambeth, lewisham, Opportunity, personal budgets, personalisation, Self-Advocacy Training, Six Day Sleep Counselor Training, Social Care in Southwark, social care services, Soft Craft Groups, Southwark, Southwark Manager Vacancy, storm training, traning, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) dicussion group, Understanding Eating Disorders Training |
Hello Healthwatch Supporter!It’s been a busy few weeks with lots going on and exciting things coming soon.A sad goodbye and a huge thank you to Alvin, Healthwatch Southwark Manager
Alvin Kinch is leaving us on the 1st August to take up a post with Healthwatch England as the Development Manager. We are very sad to lose Alvin but the new role will be a fantastic new opportunity and we wish her the very best and would like to assure our supporters that the Manager role is currently being recruited for.
Spotlight on Social Care: 22 July, 4.00 – 6.30pm
We look forward to see those of you who can join us at our Spotlight on Social Care event later today. The event is looking at what’s happening in Social Care in Southwark – now and in the future.
Come along to hear presentations from us and Southwark Council, have an opportunity to offer your knowledge and experience of using social care services in the borough and share in some refreshments together.
It’s not too late you can still book a place here and join us!
Our first Annual Report!
Healthwatch Southwark is pleased to publish our first Annual Report 2013-14. You can access it on the website here.
Until next time, enjoy Sunny Southwark!
Best wishes,
The Healthwatch Southwark team
Alvin, Sec-Chan, Chip & Jo
Local News
Local news from across the community
Southwark Manager – Vacancy
We are looking for a motivated individual who can raise expectations, challenge orthodoxies and drive an agenda for change in local health and social care services in the diverse borough of Southwark. You will lead and develop a successful team, and bring enthusiasm and dedication to working with local communities and partners to secure the best outcomes for patients and users of health and social care services. Deadline 4 Aug. Apply today.
Healthwatch Southwark wins national award!
The development of a South East London programme that ensures that local people can monitor health and social care services has won 6 South East London local watchdogs a national award.
The work involves a shared programme and procedure across South East London and has been developed jointly by the 6 Healthwatch from SE London, (Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham).
They won the award for Outstanding Collaborative Project at the national Healthwatch Network Awards of Achievement 2014.
These annual awards are held to recognise the individuals and teams across the network who have demonstrated exceptional impact within local communities. Read more
Personal Budgets
Are you concerned about the impact of personal budgets on your service users? Do you need help from help to deal with the implications for your organisation? Have your say and tell us what we can do by spending just a few minutes completing Community Action Southwark’s (CAS) first ‘Just CASking’ quick poll.
CAS are keen to hear from anyone with any experience with personalisation and personal budgets, please get in touch with Rachel, CAS Policy Officer via: rachel@casouthwark.org.uk
Soft Craft Groups at Blackfriars Settlement
With highly respected textile artist Najlaa Khalil. Sessions are every Thursday 10.30 to 12.30 and £20 for Personal Budget holders. Najlaa will help you develop or recover skills in sewing, hand knitting, patchwork and crochet. Use these skills for making simple repairs or to customise your long-worn clothes and freshen up your wardrobe.
Art? Why not? at Blackfriars Settlement
These Art sessions run every Mon, Wed and Thurs from 1.30- 3.30pm, at £20 for personal budget holders. What members say: “Relaxing, sociable, compare artworks, give each other pointers, learn skills, taking you out of yourself, escapism. You feel complete. It grabs you. You can pour it out onto the paper. It’s an energy. Achievement”. Get involved.
Potted History- gardening and reminiscence project
Potted History is a gardening and reminiscence project that makes use of reminiscence and horticultural therapy to improve the self-confidence and wellbeing of socially isolated older people in the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Reminiscence therapy involves the discussion of past activities, events and experiences as a group, by taking part in activities and using objects from the past such as photographs, household items, scents, music and film to trigger the memory. Get involved.
Government consulting on Care Act draft regulations
Back in May the Care Bill became the Care Act. In order to allow you to prepare and understand what this might mean for your organisation, Community Action Southwark (CAS) have put together a briefing. The government is currently seeking views on the draft regulations and guidance for Part 1 of the Act. The consultation period ends on 15 August. Read the briefing.
Autism to Autism service
Supporting and Placing Adults from Southwark with ASC in Voluntary Placements. Resources for Autism are actively recruiting adults (aged 18+) with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers to work in voluntary positions. The Autism to Autism Service offers you the opportunity to do something that is exciting, fulfilling and a great experience, without the added pressure that paid work can bring. Apply today.
Early Action – stepping back from the cliff edge
Anyone who works with vulnerable people thinks preventing things getting worse isn’t a good thing. So why aren’t we, the public, private and voluntary sectors, not doing more together to stop problems from happening in the first place?
As you may know Community Action Southwark (CAS) proposed that the Health and Wellbeing Board consider establishing an independent Early Action Commission. It was argued that early action, as a needs reduction strategy, could lessen future liabilities and foster greater multi-agency working. Read the paper submitted in March. |
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| Local Events |
Community events and training near you
STORM Training | Dates from 21 July to 17 Feb
This is a 2 day accredited course for Southwark and Lambeth staff. he skills learned are specific to suicide prevention and are transferable to all practices including GP settings. Participants are central to the process of learning and are encouraged to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the group. STORM utilises the most effective, evidence-based methods in skills development training – role-rehearsal and videotaped role-rehearsal with self-reflection and structured feedback. Book today
Digital Inclusion event | 28 July
Southwark Council’s Digital Inclusion event event is taking place at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 5QH between 10.00am and running from 5.00pm on 28th July. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The event will look at why people are digitally excluded and how we can work together to get more people on line. Please do let me Southwark Council know as soon as possible if you will be attending. Book today
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) dicussion group | 28 July
The Mental Health Foundation is seeking to gather together people who have used mental health services and carers of those who have used mental health services to hear their thoughts, ideas, feelings, comments on the subject of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The group will meet at 10:30am – 2:30pm at the Mental Health Foundation (Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London, SE1 2SX). Participants will be paid £25 each, all travel expenses will be covered and lunch is provided. Get involved
Extended access engagement event | 30 July
The Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group Event: Extended access engagement event. Building on two previous engagement events, NHS Southwark CCG is continuing to work with you and other local people regarding the development of plans for extended access to a GP or nurse, 8am – 8pm 7 days a week. Join us to hear how we have developed plans with your previous input and to help us ensure that the new services will work for you and other local people. Book today.
Time and Talent’s Summer Party | 6 August
Time and Talents would love to invite you to celebrate with them on Wednesday 6th August at their Summer Party. It is all set to be their biggest and best Summer Party yet. Come and join Time and Talents for an afternoon of fun, food and festivities. Read more
Self Advocacy Training at CoolTan Arts | 5 – 14 Aug
CoolTan Arts are running self Advocay Training, ‘Skills for a stronger voice’ in August. This training is an award-winning series of free classes and talks teaching you the skills you need to have a stronger voice. CoolTan Arts provide an informal but structured environment where you can look at ways to help yourself, pick up strategies for challenging issues, behaviours or situations. Book today.
Stress Management Through Movement & Meditation | 8 Oct
Meditation has many health benefits, including increased immune functioning, improved well-being and reduced psychological distress. It is an especially focused form of mindfulness. For anyone feeling stressed or struggling to keep calm and achieve peace of mind in a busy, often chaotic life, meditation can bring a sense of peace and joy.
This is a series of 8 one hour lunchtime sessions involving some gentle movement based on yoga and tai-chi, followed by a a 20 mintue guided meditation. Book today.
Understanding Eating Disorders Training | 12 Sept
The much sought after ‘Understanding Eating Disorders’ training developed by Beat will be running this autumn in London (12th September 2014) and Birmingham (21st November 2014). The training helps professionals identify eating disorders and provide treatment, care and support to those affected. Our trainers are sensitive to the needs of various group and will tailor the content accordingly. The training is interactive and comprehensive, it’s a days course with lunch and CPD certification. Book today. |
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National News |
Keeping you up-to-date with national news
RLSB Let’s Work it Out employment pack
RLSB has launched their new ‘Let’s Work It Out’ employment pack at the House of Commons. The pack was created in consultation with businesses and the RLSB Youth Forum. The pack aims to make businesses feel confident about employing people with a sight condition and coaches young people to feel more equipped about job hunting. You can show your support by signing the RSLB online pledge to ensure that meaningful jobs for blind young people can become a reality. Read more.
Integrated Personal Commissioning: New Opportunities for Voluntary and Community Sector
NHS England Chief Executive has just announced the piloting of combined health and care personal budgets, and the VCS will be commissioned to support care planning, advocacy and service brokerage. Read more.
NHS in London Focus Groups
The transformation of London’s general practice services is an agreed priority for the NHS in London. To help understand the needs of patients and carers across London NHS London are holding a series of focus groups with different community groups, patient groups, and users of GP services.
The focus groups are one way to collect experiences and information, local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will also be asking about ways in which you think services can be improved. The first series of Focus Groups in August are on GP Services. Get involved.
NHS London Immunisation Board
Are you interested in helping us drive the London wide immunisations programme, if so we are looking for up to 4 people ( individuals or voluntary sector organisations) to sit on the London Immunisation Board, meetings are held quarterly and an induction session and support will be available. Travel expenses will be paid. If you would like more information about the Board please email : immunisationsubmissions.london@nhs.net or telephone Kenny Gibson on: 07787 105457. Closing date for expressions of interest is 31 August.
Three Cs launched MaxOut Southwark
On the 9 July 2014, Three Cs launched MaxOut Southwark at Crossways.. MaxOut Southwark is a new web app that links you with mental health news and activities in Southwark. Please try it out for yourself at www.maxoutsouthwark.com and let Three Cs know what you think. They are also happy to talk to people interested in Three Cs developing similar apps in London boroughs for people with learning disabilities or mental health challenges. Read more.
Recent NICE published guidance
NICE guidance and updates
Wider use of statins could cut deaths from heart disease
Up to 8,000 lives could be saved every three years by offering statins to anyone with a 10 per cent risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) within a decade, says NICE – Read more
NICE unveils safe staffing plans for nursing care in wards
NICE has published new guidance setting out ‘red flag events’ which warn when nurses in charge of shifts must act immediately to ensure they have enough staff to meet the needs of patients on that ward – Read more
Realistic weight loss goals better than quick fixes
Losing even a small amount of weight can help to improve the health of people who are overweight or obese and lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, says NICE – Read more
You can find out more information on the NICE website:
www.nice.org.uk
National events
Latest events from across the country
Accredited Support Brokerage | July dates
NBN Training in London. The gateway to membership of the London Brokerage Network
Support brokers are your independent guides to make sure you can live the life of your choice if you are a disabled person. When? A 5-day course, spread over the following dates:
2nd, 9th, 16th, 17th and 23rd July 2014
Where? Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre Tottenham, London N17. Who? People with a disability who plan their own support; professionals, groups or organisations with an interest in brokerage; paid and unpaid brokers. Book today.
Tackling Long Term Conditions | 29 Oct
At Tackling Long-Term Conditions: Coordinating Care, Transforming Services Open Forum Events expert speakers will explore how to drive improvements in care, coordinate services to achieve quality outcomes and help make life better for people with long term conditions.
A whole system approach is required to tackle the scale and prevalence of long-term conditions. It will require service transformation, integration of care and innovative systems to meet the pressing challenge. Register your interest.
Health Inequalities in London: Seeking joint solutions for better health outcomes | 29 Nov
LVSC’s seminar will address some of the key health inequality challenges facing London and look at opportunities and joint solutions to reduce them. Key themes will include housing; access to health and social care services; poverty & deprivation; employment and health and mental health and others. The event also aims to feed into the Mayor’s London Health Inequality Strategy, which is being refreshed. A steering group to plan the event will be set up in the next week.
For more information and to register visit LVSC’s website here.
Six Day Sleep Counselor Training | Nov 2014
This training is for professionals working with children or young people with additional support needs, such as teachers, social workers, doctors, health visitors, CAMHS and Learning Disability CAMHS workers, psychologists and specialist nurses.
Participants will gain a comprehensive knowledge of sleep processes and understand the problems that children with a wide range of physical, learning & sensory disabilities may face. Participants will also be trained in how to run a sleep clinic and how to support families using cognitive and behavioural techniques, in line with GIRFEC principles. Book today. |
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Arts, Southwark | Tags: Art2Print, Blackfriars Settlement, Creative, Fun, Image Making course, Mental Health, mental health and wellbeing service, Opportunity, recovering, Training, vibrant Graphics training |
Join our creative, fun and vibrant Graphics training department and discover your creative side
Hello everyone,
Please find attached details of our brand new Image Making course taster session on Thursday July 24th. These courses are for people recovering from mental health problems and cost only £20 a session for people with a personal budget. The course proper begins July 29th and runs on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for 5 weeks. Students completing the Image Making course at Blackfriars MHWBS have joined our Art2print social enterprise to get hands on work experience of being in a design team. Others have accessed full-time courses. It has helped nearly all to boost their confidence, “ It gave me inspiration to be creative and not to be afraid to try new things”.
Image making 2
Discover your creative side!
Best wishes
Bill Stewart
Service Coordinator Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Blackfriars Settlement – “Creating Opportunities”
Find out more about our graphic design studio www.art2printstudio.co.uk
1 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0RB
Telephone: 020 7928 9521 Fax: 020 7960 4628
Find out more about what we can do for you:
http://www.blackfriars-settlement.org.uk
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Posted: July 20, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: ESA, DLA, PIP & Universal Credit | Tags: benefits and work, DLA, DVLA, DWP, ESA, ESA NEWS, mobility benefits, New ESA And PIP Dirty Tricks Campaigns, PIP & Universal Credit, Work related activity group |
In this edition we reveal that the DWP have resorted to new dirty tricks to cut ESA and PIP numbers. These include alleged mass reporting of ESA claimants for fraud and attempting to change the law by the back door to reduce PIP mobility awards.
We also report claims that the Tories are planning to make mental health treatment mandatory for ESA claimants in the work-related activity group.
Plus we have news of the DVLA look-up service that allows anyone to check online to see if their neighbours are claiming mobility benefits.
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ESA NEWS: SANCTIONS
In the last newsletter we revealed that ESA sanctions had increased fourfold in the space of a year, up to December 2013 and are particularly targeted at claimants with mental health conditions . Whilst we had no doubt that the reason for this was to cut the cost of ESA we had no evidence to support this.
Now, however, the first shred has appeared with Polly Toynbee claiming in the Guardian that she has had discussions with an anonymous jobcentre manager:
“She told me how the sick are treated and what harsh targets she is under to push them off benefits. A high proportion on employment and support allowance have mental illnesses or learning difficulties. The department denies there are targets, but she showed me a printed sheet of what are called “spinning plates”, red for missed, green for hit. They just missed their 50.5% target for “off flows”, getting people off ESA. They have been told to “disrupt and upset” them – in other words, bullying. That’s officially described, in Orwellian fashion, as “offering further support” . . . In this manager’s area 16% are “sanctioned” or cut off benefits”
Members can download a detailed guide on how to prevent and overturn ESA sanctions from the ESA section of the members area – it might be a good idea to have a quick look through it in the near future, particularly if you are in the WRAG.
The manager also claimed that:
“Tricks are played: those ending their contributory entitlement to a year on ESA need to fill in a form for income-based ESA. But jobcentres are forbidden to stock those forms. These ill people’s benefits are suddenly stopped without explanation: if they call, they’re told to collect a form from the jobcentre, which doesn’t stock them either.”
Although we have found copies of the ESA3 form online, there does not appear to be a downloadable version of the current form, suggesting that the DWP is indeed making it as hard as possible for people to make a claim.
These targets and tactics come as no surprise. What Toynbee claimed that was new to us, however, was the manager’s allegation that:
“As all ESA claimants approach the target deadline of 65 weeks on benefits – advisers are told to report them all to the fraud department for maximum pressure.”
The idea that all ESA claimants are now being reported to the fraud department when they have claimed for 65 weeks seems preposterous and almost inconceivably discriminatory. Yet the ugly lawlessness that now characterises the DWP’s attempts to cut claimant numbers means that an accusation like this has to be considered seriously.
We are now working to try to establish the truth of this claim – we’ll let you know what we discover.
Meanwhile, we’ve begun compiling a collection of ESA sanction examples taken from various online sources to illustrate how easily, and unfairly, ESA claimants can be sanctioned.
ESA NEWS: MANDATORY TREATMENT FOR WRAG CLAIMANTS
Even more troubling than any of the issues above, however, is the report that the DWP are now considering changing the law to oblige ESA claimants in the work-related activity group with mental health conditions to undertake treatment or have their ESA sanctioned. Reports in the Telegraph claim it will be part of the next Conservative manifesto.
The paper quotes a Tory source as saying they hope to reduce the number of claimants with a mental health condition in the WRAG by 90% with this measure.
We’ll keep you posted about any developments with this shameful idea, which would no doubt involve bargain basement group CBT sessions provided by some multinational outsourcing company.
PIP NEWS: MOBILITY GUIDANCE CHANGED
The DWP have also moved the goalposts for PIP mobility to make it much less likely that claimants with mental health conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or agoraphobia will qualify for any award at all if they are able to go out, provided they have somo moved the goalposts for PIP mobility to make it much less likely that claimants with mental health conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or agoraphobia will qualify for any award at all if they are able to go out, provided they have someone with them.
Guidance issued to Atos and Capita at the end of May in the PIP Assessment Guide instructs health professionals that claimants who need accompanying by another person when following the route of a journey, because of a mental health condition, are covered solely by descriptor 11 (b). ‘Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant’.
This descriptor scores just 4 points, not enough for an award of PIP mobility to be made.
The higher scoring descriptors 11(d) and 11(f) will not be awarded ‘to claimants who require someone with them for support only, as this is covered by descriptor B. The accompanying person should be actively navigating.’ for these descriptors to apply.
We are now hearing in the forum from people who are being caught out by this changed interpretation of the law.
But the guidance appears to be at odds not only with the actual wording of the regulations, but also with detailed undertakings given by the DWP when they finalised the text of the PIP descriptors.
We have published a written submission in Word format in the PIP appeals section of the members area that anyone affected by these issues can make use of at appeal stage. It sets out the grounds on which we believe the guidance given to assessors is wrong and why relying on the assessment will lead the decision maker to commit an error of law.
Clearly we can’t guarantee that the submission’s conclusions will be accepted by any given tribunal. But they are definitely worth arguing and will at least give you the possibility of appealing to the upper tribunal and getting professional support via the legal aid scheme if you are unsuccessful.
OTHER BENEFITS NEWS: DVLA’S ‘SNOOP ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS’ SERVICE
Just after the last newsletter went out we reported that a new vehicle check service on the DVLA website allows anyone to find out whether their neighbours are receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA) or either rate of the mobility component of personal independence payment (PIP).
We urged our visitors to complain to DVLA and the information commissioner if they were unhappy with this situation – and it seems that many of you did.
Whilst DVLA refuse to back down, the information commissioner’s office is investigating the issue and has received so many complaints that they are now saying that they are no longer looking at individual concerns and people should watch the DVLA website for news.
Meanwhile, a national expert in data protection has supported our argument that DVLA is breaching the rights of disabled claimants, calling our analysis ‘excellent’ and adding ‘I hope the DVLA will rethink.’
We’ll keep you posted.
MORE NEWS ON THE SITE
As always, there’s lots more news on the site than we have room to cover here, including:
Real Life Reform publishes fourth report
Government in court over disability benefit changes
Legal aid cuts cause benefits appeals to fail
Treasury has not signed off on Duncan Smith’s universal credit, MPs told
Assessing the Assessors
FACEBOOK FEEDBACK
We’ve been sent this very touching item of feedback from Stephanie, a Benefits and Work member:
“Hi, just like to say a big, big thank you for all the information and help that I used for my transfer from IB to ESA, I have just received confirmation that I will be in the support group! it has only taken fourteen months! I cried, the stress and added physical strain has taken its toll, but at last I can get on with “normal” life now. Thank you.”
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If you’re not already a member, join the Benefits and Work community before midnight on Friday and you can get 20% off the cost of your annual subscription.
Just type the following code into the coupon box when you pay: 9548
Claimants and carers get an annual subscription for £15.96, down from £19.95. Professionals get an annual subscription for £77.60, down from £97.00.
GOOD NEWS BY EMAIL
In this edition we have more of the feedback we receive by email. We’re now making an effort to publish more of this rather than only feedback from the forum. We are very grateful for your feedback, however you send it, and we know our readers appreciate it too.
IB to ESA Support Group
“I just wanted to say that I have at last received my ESA decision from migrating from Incapacity Benefit, after waiting 12 long months. I have been placed in the Support Group without a medical/interview. I am so relieved I can’t tell you. Without your help on this website and the guidance in filing out the horrendous forms or should I say, book! It would have been even more of a nightmare. So many thanks again and I’m sure I will be needing your help again, so keep up the excellent work!”
Joanne via email
DLA and ESA success
“I just wanted to thank you and your wonderful site for helping me to get DLA high rate mobility and low rate care, and I’ve now been given it indefinitely! Your forms to help fill in the claim pack were invaluable and I recommend that if your thinking of joining this amazing site do not hesitate, it will be money well spent. I have just had my 6 month review for ESA ( it’s been a year since my last one! ) and although I’m in WRAG my adviser didn’t seem to worried about me looking for work. But I am prepared and with using your site I’m sure I won’t have too many problems. This website has been a great help to me and I have renewed my subscription three times! Thank you”
Karen via email
SDA to ESA Support Group
“Thank you so much for your guides to form-filling which we used when my daughter was switched from SDA.. She is housebound and virtually bedridden with severe ME has just heard that she is in the support group – no medical. It is to be reviewed after 2 years, but we now know where to get help! Renewal of DLA (or will it be PIP by then?) next so we will be needing you again. I’d recommend you to anyone dealing with benefits application forms. Thanks once again”
Jill via email
ESA and DLA successes
“I have been a member now for over two years and through your wonderful site I have been able to get ESA ( first placed in WRAG then after MR placed in S G for 2 years) for my adult 43 year old autistic daughter, together also with DLA LRC/LRM – indefinite award, although it am aware that this is all about to change in the next couple of years. Just had to find a way to express my sincere thanks to all you wonderful people.”
Rosemary via email
ESA Support Group and PIP success
“Hi, just to let you know, I have got my sisters latest DWP decisions through and what turn around!! . Firstly her ESA, -she was originally placed in the work activity group. Now she’s been moved to support group, with your help, after appeal. During her visits to work activity sessions, her PA recommended that she apply for PIP. She did, and after a medical, today, she’s been awarded PIP at enhanced rates for care and mobility 14 points in each!!!.which took only 3 months. Without the help of myself and BENEFITS AND WORK this simply would not have happened , she’s now a subscriber like myself. Many thanks”
George via email
PIP award and ESA Support Group
“Just like to say a big thank you, for all the advice and support you’ve provided. I am now in receipt of pip and esa support after waiting and struggling for 8 months to get it. The advice on your pages was invaluable. thank you.”
Amy via email
ESA Support Group and DLA success
“I would just like to say thank you for all your advice and information on your website, I read it all and followed the advice and was told today that after my ATOS assessment that I have been put into the support group until 2016 and also advised to ask for a review of my DLA award which is at the moment the low rate. I don’t think I would have had the confidence to go to the assessment if it hadn’t been for all the encouragement and advice. Thank you once again”
And an update:
“Just to say thanks again, if it weren’t for your website I would not have felt confident in asking for my DLA to be looked at again. I have now been awarded the highest rate both in mobility and care, so thank you all for the help and information on your site, without your site I don’t think I would have asked for a reconsideration”
Angela via email
DLA renewal award
“You’re not going to believe this great news! Not only did I get my DLA renewed at the same rate (thanks to your website’s brilliant how-to booklets) but they sent me the award letter on the SAME DAY that they received my application form! I hardly dared believe it but I’ve checked my bank account and the first payment has gone in this week. Thanks for all your help and support, I wouldn’t have got this DLA without the help of B&W.”
Sarah via email
Successful DLA Appeal
“My wife and I wished to advise you with the information supplied by your wonderful site we have recently won our Tribunal with the DWP who seemed fit to bring a case against us. We went armed to the teeth with information we downloaded from your site and it is without question the judge could see we were well prepared and agreed with the case we put forward and found the award in our favour. So a huge thank you to you and your team, as my wife and I feel that without your advice and assistance maybe the outcome may have been very different.”
Henry via email
ESA Support Group without a medical
“I was familiar with form filling but the found the ESA50 form overwhelmingly bizarre. The design of the layout and questions asked was obvious in putting the customer at a disadvantage in fully explaining their condition. It was only with your guides that I was able to navigate the pitfalls, recording the details that were needed to fully assess my circumstances. After all my worrying, I have just had notification that I do not have to undergo the torture of an ATOS assessment and have been placed directly into the Support Group. I cannot thank you enough in helping me “survive” this turmoil. I hate to think what I would have had to go through without your guidance. Thanks again”
Steven via email
PIP success
“Hi All, I wanted to thank you for this wonderful site – without which I don’t know where I’d be. I read through all of your advice, even printing a lot of it off. Using this as my trusty guide I completed an application for PIP. This was in September 2013. I was finally invited to an ATOS Assessment in December 2013. I duly attended, after reading your information on this aspect of claiming. Invaluable. I’d have been lost and a lot more apprehensive without it. I am now eligible for PIP and full component awarded. I would NOT have managed to keep going without the help I found within Benefits and Work. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am 100% positive that without your website I would not have been successful in my claim.”
Leanne via email
ESA Support Group without a medical
“Hi, I just wanted to thank you for your simple to follow guidance. We’ve just heard that our son has put into the ESA support group without a medical. I’m pretty confident that your help made this possible.”
Diane via email
IB to ESA Support Group
“Received a phone call from DWP last week saying I will be changing from IB to Support group from next month. (no mention of a medical) I have been waiting for almost 8 months for some contact, so had been dreading the daily post all that time! I can now relax and stop worrying. I found the forms daunting and without the guidance from B&W I would have struggled immensely. A massive thank you!”
Mary via email
DLA renewal success
“I cannot thank this site enough. I was given DLA at Lower rate mobility and High rate of care for 18 months and it was due for renewal in August. I received the form and carefully followed your advice. I posted the form off and within five days of sending it off, I received the great news that I would be given DLA at the same rates but the length of time had changed to indefinite. All thanks to this web site. Wonderful. Thank you so much”
Michael via email
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Posted: July 19, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Lewisham, News | Tags: Big Lottery Fund’s, Councillor Paul Maslin, HealthWatch lewisham, lewisham, Lewisham Council, Lyn Cole, mental health issues, mental health project, Mental health scheme, motional support, school pupils in London, stigma, The HeadStart programme |
A new mental health project will help school pupils in London to deal with their problems and worries after receiving a £500,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s £75m HeadStart programme.
The development funding means that pupils in Lewisham will take part in a pilot project in the new school year. The local partnership will use this pilot to work up long term plans that could benefit from a multi-million pound share of HeadStart funding.
A previous YouGov survey for the Big Lottery Fundrevealed that 45 per cent of children aged 10-14 have reported being unable to sleep because of stress or worry, with fifty nine per cent saying they feel worried or sad at least once a week. However, only around 25 per cent of young people needing treatment for mental health problems actually receive it and usually only once they reach 18[1].
The HeadStart programme aims to develop ways of dealing with mental health issues before they become deep-rooted problems. Focussing primarily on schools, the HeadStart partners will offer a range of approaches, including peer mentoring, mental health ‘first aid’ training, online portals and special resilience lessons helping pupils aged 10-14 feel they have support at in the classroom as well as at home and tackling the stigma that can often surround the issues of mental health.
Lyn Cole, Deputy England Director of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We know that around three young people in every classroom suffer from a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder and this is a desperately sad situation. HeadStart is all about catching our young people before they fall into a trap of mental and emotional turmoil that may affect them all though their lives. This development funding means that children in Lewisham will play an important role in helping other young people get emotional support at a key stage in their lives.”
Councillor Paul Maslin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Lewisham Council, said: “We are very excited to be part of this pilot project. Making the journey from teenager to adulthood is an important stage in young people’s lives and some will find it easier than others. So it’s important that where we can, we build mental and emotional resilience in those young people who may find the journey more difficult. I look forward to seeing the results of this project and how the involvement of young people in Lewisham has contributed to this important initiative.”
For more information about HeadStart you can contact Healthwatch Lewisham at www.healthwatchlewisham.co.uk or info@healthwatchlewisham.co.uk
Simone Riddle
Community Engagement Officer
Voluntary Action Lewisham
St. Laurence Community Centre
31 – 37 Bromley Road
Catford, London SE6 2TS
www.healthwatchlewisham.co.uk
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Posted: July 18, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Arts, Events | Tags: community organisations, mental health needs, mental health professionals, music and media programme, musics, Raw Sounds summer event, Well-being |
Join Raw Material as we celebrate the end of another term of Raw Sounds, our music and media programme for people with mental health needs, and see the positive impact music has on wellbeing. We also invite local mental health professionals and community organisations to visit our music and education facilities, and hear about our work.
Raw Sounds contributes to the wellbeing of the community by providing opportunities for young people experiencing mental health issues to express their creativity. Making music improves wellbeing through developing confidence, being creative and connecting with other people.
If you work with someone with mental health needs and would like to refer them to our programme, please contact us. Our next term begins on September 25th.
For more information email: info@raw-material.org or call: 0207 737 6103
Posted: July 17, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Resources | Tags: community events, launch of the Wheel of Well-being website, research, SLaM, South London and Maudlsey NHS, Well-being, Wellbeing and Mental Health, WheelOfWellbeing.org |
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| Friday the 11th of July 2014 marked the launch of the Wheel of Well-being website.More and more research is showing us how certain positive actions can improve our mood, reduce risk of depression, strengthen our relationships, keep us healthy and even add seven years to our lives.
The Wheel of Well-being (WoW) is a simple framework that translates this research into positive practice. At the heart of the Wheel of Well-being is the WoW website, a practical collection of free tips, tools, activities and ideas – from a DIY Happiness game to promote well-being at community events, to a Happier at Work programme to improve well-being in the workplace.
“Well-being is about a positive state of mind and body, feeling safe and able to cope, and having a sense of connection with those around us. A focus on well-being can bring positive benefits for people and places. The Wheel of Well-being is a welcome tool which offers helpful tips and practical assistance to individuals, families and communities seeking to improve well-being.”
Gregor Henderson, Director of Wellbeing and Mental Health,
Public Health England |
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| For people to contribute well-being tips and places, create their own well-being checklist and track their personal progress. |
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| For people working in the public, private or voluntary sector, to explore free practical tools and ideas for improving well-being in organisations, workplaces and local communities. |
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| For people involved in policy development and local government, to develop a well-being strategy. This section is a work-in-progress.Wheelofwellbeing.org is the result of an innovative, on-going partnership between the mental health promotion team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and strategic design consultancy Uscreates, who have been working together since 2008 to develop new ways to promote mental health and well-being across London.
Enjoy exploring the website! We welcome any feedback or enquiries on hello@wheelofwellbeing.org. |
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Copyright © 2014 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, All rights reserved.
Join us at the launch of the Wheel of Wellbeing!Our mailing address is:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Maudsley Hospital
Denmark Hill
London, EnglandSE5 8AZ
United Kingdom |
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Via Helen
Posted: July 17, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Lewisham | Tags: clinicians, community healthcare, community healthcare in Lewisham, community palliative care, Disabled, district nurses, GPs, Lewisham Healthwatch, Lewisham Hospital, NHS, pharmacists, Service Users, St. Laurence Community Centre, Voluntary Action Lewisham, voluntary sector |
The best community healthcare is delivered by well trained and well paid staff, who are well supported and who have the time to offer patient centred services, concluded an inquiry into community healthcare in Lewisham.
It is also holistic, taking into account many aspects of the patient’s life and health. Central to successful delivery is cooperation between services, the voluntary sector and the community.
An Appreciative Inquiry was held on Saturday 28th of June to look at what excellent care looks like.
Lewisham Hospital having been secured and now operating within the new Trust – the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign with Lewisham Healthwatch have been researching examples of excellent and good community care with the aim of supporting the best in and out of hospital care in the borough.
Over 100 stories had been gathered from users, clinicians and managers to find out from people’s personal experience what are the key features, the magic ingredients that make good community healthcare so valuable.
Four of those stories were used to kick start the day and with the imaginations of attendees they then shared their own stories and identified what had made them positive experiences.
“I have had a long and difficult journey from being a fit and vigorous man in middle age to being a wheelchair user. My GP’s medical support and emotional support have been fantastic.”
“Straight to the hospital,” “I could tell her anything.”
“Took the time to accept my worries.”
“Extraordinary skill, a few metres from my house.”
“It made me realise that it is not stigmatising to be depressed and it helped empower me to take control of my own life again.”
Life can never be taken for granted. Anyone can become sick or disabled and in need of care and support at any time. At these periods of crisis and stress, NHS services become a vital part of managing, if not of survival. Aside from hospital provision, this includes district nurses, community palliative care, pharmacists, GPs and many, many other services.
Organiser Carolyn Emanuel said :
‘At a time when politicians are looking at ways to join up hospital and community care the findings from this event will form a significant way of highlighting the best standards of practice, which we hope will be included in any future models of delivery.’
“I have severe learning difficulties and autism. All the staff at the surgery are brilliant. We always get an appointment on demand. They’re completely tolerant of challenging behaviour and don’t keep us hanging around.
“Kindness, non-judgmental approach.” Looking at the positives, highlight the strengths”
“Different parts of the NHS talked with each other. Joined-up care.
Everyone was briefed.”
“Very happy with carer. Was a bit shy at first but got to know her.”
“I am much calmer in the knowledge that I am seeing the same practitioner who knows me personally and reviews my epilepsy more regularly.”
“This helped me to stay in my managerial and caring role without losing time or money. I come from so far I would have had to take a whole day out just for a doctor’s appointment.”
Common to all the stories was staff having the time to deliver excellent care. That time enabled them to listen to and understand the patient and their needs, create a smooth pathway between services and empower the patient to manage their own health.
The gathering then identified a series of practical actions to make these recommendations a reality –
- a public education programme to help people understand and get involved with the design of local health strategy and policy;
- identifying ways to make sure NHS staff are involved in all decisions about the delivery of community healthcare; and
- making sure the voluntary sector is represented in the right places to promote a joined up health and social care strategy.
- A challenge to the NHS on the Private Finance Initiative, a mortgage on NHS property which is draining our NHS of cash which goes to private corporations.
- Harnessing new media to improve health, specifically for young people, but extended to anyone.
Miriam Long, manager of Healthwatch Lewisham, said:
“This was a great way to end the evidence gathering stage of the inquiry. It was a vibrant event with some great outcomes.”
“The next stage is to write the report and a plan of action that will be discussed with commissioners. The involvement of so many people has meant we’ll be able to tell them a compelling story.”
The plan of action will be discussed at the next Healthwatch Lewisham Reference Group meeting. It will take place from 10.30am to 2pm on Tuesday 29 July in the Council Chambers, Civic Suite, Catford. All welcome book your place here.
In preparation. We would like anyone who has had a good experience of community healthcare in Lewisham to tell us about it. In preparation, we would welcome more submissions of your positive stories. Please write in to the Save Lewisham Hospital website at http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/community-care-survey/ or call Healthwatch Lewisham on 020 7998 7796.
Simone Riddle
Community Engagement Officer
Voluntary Action Lewisham
St. Laurence Community Centre
31 – 37 Bromley Road
Catford, London SE6 2TS
www.healthwatchlewisham.co.uk
Posted: July 17, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Southwark | Tags: crossways, Learning disabilities, mental health challenges., Three Cs MaxOut Southwark, Three Cs Support |
On the 9th July 2014, Three Cs launched MaxOut Southwark at Crossways.
MaxOut Southwark is our new web app that links you with mental health news and activities in Southwark. Please try it out for yourself at www.maxoutsouthwark.com and let us know what you think.
We are also happy to talk to people interested in Three Cs developing similar apps in London boroughs for people with learning disabilities or mental health challenges.
Regards
Jo
Jo Clare Chief Executive
Three Cs Support I 3rd Floor, Norman House I 110 – 114 Norman Road I Greenwich I London SE10 9QJ
www.threecs.co.uk
South London Involvement Forum 