Healthwatch City of London July 2022 Newsletter

Chat from the Chair

Nationally, Integrated care systems are due to formally start work on 1st July 2022.

The introduction of North East London Integrated Care System gives us a new opportunity to make your views heard by those planning and running the services we use – especially the voices of those who are not being heard now.

Here at Healthwatch City of London we will work hard to make sure the views of local people are represented in the new NHS structure. We are also committed to playing our part by championing equality and inclusion, and helping services reach every part of the community.

When clinicians and managers listen and act on the experiences of patients and service users, it results in better care. We have a real chance if we can get the new system right by creating a true partnership between services and the public here in the City of London.  

The idea is that the move to integrated care systems should herald a culture shift in the way you and our communities are involved, so we can move beyond fragmented consultation when health and care services are making changes in the way health and social care are delivered and   respond to our needs, making decision making meaningful and proactive. However, it will take time to ensure that the independent voice of patients is in the room when decisions are being made so we will be asking you to let us know what you think, to get involved and tell us about your experiences and how we can help.  

Healthwatch City of London is your local health and social care champion. From Mansell Street to Fleet Street and everywhere in between, we make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care.

If you’ve recently visited your GP, or local hospital, or used any health and social care services in the City we want to hear from you. Whether you’ve had a good or bad experience, we can use your feedback to improve services for everyone and we have the power to make NHS leaders and our local authority listen to what you have to say. We’re completely independent and impartial and anything you say is confidential.

Gail

Gail Beer, Chair, Healthwatch City of London

Neaman Practice rumours addressed

We have been made aware of rumours surrounding the Neaman Practice and it being taken over by an American organisation. We approached the Neaman Practice who have categorically said that no takeover has occurred or is imminent. Please view the statement on their website https://www.theneamanpractice.nhs.uk/

Polio advice

The UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced poliovirus (polio) has been found in sewage samples collected from the London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. The monitoring of sewage is a routine way of detecting the virus in the community and current levels suggest there has been some spread between closely linked people in north and north east London.

A UKHSA investigation is underway to protect the public, who are urged to ensure polio vaccines are up to date, especially parents of young children who may have missed an immunisation opportunity. The best way to prevent polio is to make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations. The polio vaccine is part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination schedule.

It's given when a child is:

·       8, 12 and 16 weeks old as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine

·       3 years and 4 months old as part of the 4-in-1 (DTaP/IPV) pre-school booster

·       14 years old as part of the 3-in-1 (Td/IPV) teenage booster

You need to have all of these vaccinations to be fully vaccinated against polio. You can have a polio vaccination at any point if you've never had one before.

You should also get vaccinated even if you've had polio before as it protects against different types of polio. Immunisation and primary care leads are working closely with NHS London to ensure as many people in north east London as possible are vaccinated against Polio. 

To obtain a polio vaccination, or to check your vaccination status please contact your GP.

Rise in COVID 19 cases

Since the beginning of June, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 infection rates nationally and across London. The Omicron variant BA.2 is still the dominant variant, however, variants BA.4 and BA.5 are becoming more common. There is currently no indication that any of these variants cause more severe COVID-19 symptoms.
It is however important that we all continue to avoid getting infected to protect ourselves from a serious COVID-19 infection, while also preventing spreading it to others.  

Our local key messages from Public Health remain important and will help you keep yourself and others safe:

• Get vaccinated with the latest dose offered to you.
• Stay away from other people if you have symptoms, however mild.
• Ensure indoor spaces are well ventilated when people meet.
• Continue to use a face covering in crowded areas.
• Wash your hands regularly throughout the day.

Annual Survey

There’s still time to complete our Annual Survey!

How are we doing? Do you know what we do? What more would you like to see from us? How can we help you?  Let us know by completing our survey and you will help us understand how you see us and how effective you think we are.  You can also let us know where you think we should focus our efforts more and where you think we have been successful.  The survey will only take 10 minutes of your time.

You can access the survey here www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HWCoLcommunityannualsurvey2022 , visit our website www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk or if you would like a paper version please call 020 3745 9564 and we’ll pop one in the post to you.

Test results on Patient Access

At the recent Neaman Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) meeting, one of our Associate Board members inquired if all blood test results could be made available on the Patient Access System. The Practice Manager has confirmed that they are now available, under the ‘Medical History’ dropdown box. You will need to register for the Patient Access system Patient Access - GP appointments & prescriptions online

All patients of the Neaman Practice are welcome to join the PPG, details of how are on the Neaman Practice website, https://www.theneamanpractice.nhs.uk/patient-participation-group , the next meeting is scheduled for 12^th September 2022.

Footcare

The nail cutting clinic, provided by Hoxton Health (HH) and held every second Wednesday in the month at the Neaman, was suspended at the end of April as funding by the CCG had not been granted for the new financial year. An arrangement has now been reached with the Neaman Practice and Hoxton Health, after funding was provided by the PCN.

Patients now need to get a referral to this clinic by the Neaman GPs, and only qualify if they fit the following criteria patients need to be over 75, and/or have significant health issues e.g., mobility problems. The Neaman Practice will complete the referral forms.

It is hoped clinics will be held the last Wednesday in each month with the next clinic scheduled for 29 June. Patients who do not qualify will need to go to St Leonard’s and will have to pay £15 for the service. 

Please note that the podiatry clinic for patients with foot health issues is still held at the Neaman Practice every six weeks.

Healthwatch City of London will be looking into why the cessation of this service was not publicised and why patients were not directly informed. We will also be asking for clarification about the home visits that were previously available.

Louise Ashley appointed as Chief Executive of Homerton Healthcare

Louise Ashley has been appointed the new Chief Executive of Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Place-based Leader of the City & Hackney Health and Care Partnership.

Louise replaces Tracey Fletcher who left the Trust in March to take up a Trust CEO role in East Kent.

Louise is currently the Chief Executive of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in Kent, a post she has held for four years. During her time at the Trust, it went from a CQC rating of ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’. Prior to that, she was Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nurse for six years at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

Louise will also take on the role initiated by Tracey Fletcher and become the Place-based leader of the new City and Hackney Health & Care Partnership which is bringing local health and social care organisations together to develop services for local people.

 We look forward to working with Louise when she joins the Trust in the Autumn.

New Neighbourhoods website launched

You can now find out more about how the City and Hackney Neighbourhoods are working with local communities to address health inequalities on a new Neighbourhoods website. The Neighbourhoods programme brings local residents, community groups and services together within our local communities to increase partnership working at a local level.

https://cityandhackneyneighbourhoods.org.uk/

Keep up to date with the latest advice

HWCoL are constantly updating our advice and information pages. Please make sure you visit them regularly.  https://www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk/advice-and-information

Get in touch with Healthwatch City of London

Visit our website for more information, news and events, have your say about your care, and spread the word about Healthwatch City of London. www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk email: info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk Tel: 020 3745 9563 Facebook: facebook.com/CoLHealthwatch Twitter: @HealthwatchCoL

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