Healthwatch City of London Newsletter 25 June 2021
Dear Reader,
Like many of you I had hoped to be sharing plans for meeting up face to face. It is disappointing but unsurprising that there is a national four week pause on Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap out of Covid restrictions, with the delta variant spreading rapidly. Sadly, we will continue to hold our meetings virtually for the time being but, in the background, we will be planning some small-scale local events where we can greet you face to face in a safe environment.
It has been a very different year for all of us, but at Healthwatch we have strived to provide you with the latest advice and guidance surrounding the pandemic including, testing and the vaccination programme. We have continued to be the voice for the City of London in decisions on Health and Social Care and made sure that we’ve had a seat the table in discussions with those who plan our services and provide our care. Next month we will be publishing our annual report which will detail all the work that we have completed in representing the residents, workers and students of the City.
Last week we launched the consultation on our next annual business plan. We have used our experience and insights for working with you and others to develop objectives that are locally based and designed to make a difference to those of us who live and work here. You can read about the plan and give us your views using the link below.
One of our local objectives is to ensure that the redevelopment of St Leonard's Hospital is designed around your needs. Although this has long been in the pipeline we are now at a stage where there is real momentum behind the project. To make sure local voices are heard HWCoL will be jointly hosting a public meeting on the St Leonard’s hospital redevelopment on the 13th July. Please join us a to hear more and help shape the future of this community hospital. Claire Hogg, Director of Strategy from Homerton University Hospital Foundation Trust, will be joining the meeting to tell us about the work of the project group overseeing the development and Malcolm Alexander, Chair of Healthwatch Hackney and I will be hosting what we hope will be a lively conversation with you.
Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the sad passing of Joyce Nash OBE, she was a fantastic and tireless ambassador for the City and will be greatly missed. Joyce was a great supporter of Healthwatch and her encouragement and kindness to all of us here cannot really be measured.
Stay safe.
Gail Beer, Chair HWCoL
Healthwatch City of London Business Plan Consultation
We have launched our annual business plan for consultation. This is our second plan and this year we have been able to make it more local and relevant to you building on the issues and concerns you have raised with us.
Our top priorities for the year are as follows:
- Reflect the diversity of the population of the City of London to ensure that every voice is heard.
- Encourage our GP services to deliver good care in their practices, the services they commission and those commissioned by their primary care network.
- Campaign for the ‘new normal’ in health services to be responsive to the requirements of residents’, students’, and workers.
- Ensure City residents’ needs remain at the heart of the new Shoreditch Park and City Neighbourhood.
- Scrutinise the development of a single North East London CCG (NEL CCG) for primary care.
- Ensure services currently provided by St Leonard’s Hospital remain within easy reach of City of London residents.
- Act as a critical friend to the City of London and participate in any decision-making on health and social care issues.
If you would like to view the full plan and comment or just comment on our local priorities please visit the page on our website
Virtual Public Meeting on the Future of St Leonard’s Hospital
The St Leonard's Hospital redevelopment programme is now picking up pace. We want to ensure that the hospital development meets the needs of our population and those who currently access services there. We are working closely with partners to ensure just that. Working with Healthwatch Hackney we are developing a public engagement plan that lets you have your say. To this end we are kicking off with a public meeting on Tuesday 13th July at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held using Zoom but you can participate without a computer, mobile or tablet from your landline. You can send us questions in advance or ask during the event.
The event will be chaired by Gail Beer, Chair Healthwatch City of London; Malcolm Alexander, Chair Healthwatch Hackney, alongside Claire Hogg, Director of Strategic Implementation & Partnerships, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The agenda will cover the background to the development, the vision for the future, next steps and a question and answer session.
To register click HERE, or you can email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk or call 020 3745 9563.
National Covid-19 Vaccinations
Nationally, COVID-19 vaccines are now being offered to people aged 18 and over and people who will turn 18 before 1 July 2021. There are 2 ways to get a COVID-19 vaccine, book online now for appointments at a vaccination centre or a pharmacy or wait to be contacted by your GP surgery and book your appointments with them.
To book online visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
Pop-up vaccination clinics from this weekend
The Covid-19 vaccine van will be touring Hackney between 27 June and 26 July. Please see attached for information about a series of pop-up clinics hosted in partnership with local community organisations for City and Hackney residents aged 18+ who need their 1st or 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Walk-ins are accepted subject to availability, but we recommend phoning the local helpline on 020 8356 3111 before attending, to reserve your place.
For more up to date information on the Covid vaccine programme please visit https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccine or https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccine
Please see the attached flyer below for dates and locations.
Joyce Carruthers Nash OBE
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Joyce Nash after a long period of ill-health. Joyce was a long-serving and outstanding Common Councillor representing Aldersgate Ward, but above all, a valued friend and Barbican neighbour.
Joyce served unstintingly on many Corporation of London committees with immense skill and devotion. A familiar and approachable figure in our community, often to be seen in the Defoe House car park, she was always ready to stop and chat. These encounters, however brief, were always helpful, encouraging and revitalising. Joyce's wisdom, experience and abiding good humour always shone through, cutting even difficult issues down to size and suggesting a way forward. A former head teacher, she understood what 'serving her constituents' really meant and what was required of her - and gave it in full measure.
We look forward to showing Joyce our appreciation at a future Memorial Service and will long remember her with deep respect and even greater affection, and be sincerely grateful for all she has given and achieved on our behalf.
Upcoming Healthwatch City of London Events
One of Healthwatch City of London’s purposes is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. To do that we need to hear from you so we provide a number of regular events where we can exchange views and raise issues or concerns. Ideally, we’d like to hold them face to face, but because of the current pandemic we are restricted to Zoom events.
Please see a list of our events below with joining details.
Mental Health and Wellbeing focus group - Friday 16th July
Overview: The event is open to everyone and we will be discussing mental health provision in the City of London, identifying access issues and any gaps in the services provided to you. We will be joined by colleagues from MIND, East London Foundation Trust and City Connections.
Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/99059283997?pwd=SFM1aWROUmVzdnpTMWhMUUkycnUvZz09
Meeting ID: 990 5928 3997 Passcode: 462754 Dial in: 0208 080 6592
Listening to City Carer’s event – Friday 23rd July
Overview: An opportunity for Carer’s to provide feedback on their experience of Health and Social Care.
Time: 14:00 – 15:00
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/94462352882?pwd=SzdvK2w3YmZGK0RONFZRWlNlN3QzQT09
Meeting ID: 944 6235 2882 Passcode: 731084 Dial in: 0208 080 6592
Healthwatch City of London Drop-in session – Thursday 29th July
Overview: An opportunity for residents, workers, and students to raise issues about their experience of Health and Social care with the staff of Healthwatch.
Subject to Covid restrictions this will be a public meeting. Further updates will be provided after the 12th July
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Joining details: https://zoom.us/j/95395954008?pwd=U0VVYm5uTlYrdEx3UnRVTFJCeU4yZz09
Meeting ID: 953 9595 4008 Passcode: 557314 Dial in: 0208 080 6591
Listening to City Carer’s event – Friday 20th August
Overview: An opportunity for Carer’s to provide feedback on their experience of Health and Social Care.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/96737224444?pwd=bWE5R3l3OGVvY21tbDRpcURqOXFmdz09
Meeting ID: 967 3722 4444 Passcode: 364136 Dial in: 0208 080 6591
Healthwatch City of London Drop-in session – Thursday 26th August
Overview: An opportunity for residents, workers, and students to raise issues about their experience of Health and Social care with the staff of Healthwatch.
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Joining details:
https://zoom.us/j/93269750444?pwd=SVQ3ampDdlh3aWpIT3ArcjU1OEYyQT09
Meeting ID: 932 6975 0444 Passcode: 506561 Dial in: 0208 080 6591
The NHS App – What can it do for you?
NHS login lets you access a variety of digital health and care websites and apps with just one email address and password. You can download the app on your phone or tablet or access it via the browser in your desktop or laptop computer.
What can you use NHS login and app for?
By using the NHS login and app you can:
- view your NHS number
- register your organ donation decision
- view your health record
- get health advice
- book appointments with your GP
- order repeat prescriptions
- share your COVID-19 status
- message your GP online
- access health services on behalf of someone you care for
- view your hospital and other healthcare appointments
-
view and manage care plans
To use this service, you must be registered with a GP surgery in England and aged 13 and over.
Getting started with your NHS App and Login
Setting up an account
To get started you will need to set up an NHS account. In order to do that you will need:
- an email address
- a UK mobile phone number
You will be sent an email to confirm your email address, once you have clicked on the link by email you will be prompted to login. Once you have logged in a 6 digit security code to your mobile which you will be asked to input in your device. A security code will be needed to log in every time, unless you select ‘remember this device and stop sending security codes’.
Downloading the app (optional)
- You can download the app to your phone or tablet via the App Store (for Apple devices) and Google Play (for Android devices)
- You cannot download the app on your computer, but you can access it from the browser on your desktop or laptop computer
Connecting your health records to your account
To access some websites and apps, you may need to provide some additional information to prove who you are. This is so the NHS connect you to your NHS record and protect your health information.
This may include your:
- date of birth
- NHS number
- name
- postcode
For more information on managing your account click here.
Dragon café in the City: fostering positive mental and physical wellbeing.
The next Dragon Café in the City is being held on taking place next Wednesday, 30th June, on Zoom.
The award-winning Dragon Café in the City is free and open to anyone working or living in the City and provides a (virtual) space for them to release the pressure, try something new, and engage in creative activities.
Next week’s programme includes:
- Qi Gong
- Awe Walks
- Yoga
- Reading Friends Group: London …and more.
The programme and a downloadable PDF poster can be found online here.
City Carers community events
An introduction to Sound and Singing via Zoom, Saturday 26th June at 10am
Think you can't sing? nor can some of us, you're not alone.
Learn how to warm up your vocal cords in the way singers do, sing a mixture of songs over the years. No sheets needed, the words will be on your screen. We will be on Mute to hear Jordan Theis (Musical Director), teach us whilst he plays the piano, so you can belt out to your heart's content.
Open to City Carers, friends, family and City residents of all ages. To Celebrate National Carers week, this week we have an open Zoom link. Last week a participant said, " Jordan is Gareth Malone in the making!"
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89105760351?pwd=dzRqNzIrNmdwOC9LMDNhc3dmOEFlUT09
Meeting ID: 891 0576 0351
Passcode: sound
Latest COVID-19 and vaccination data for the City of London
The joint City and Hackney Public Health Intelligence Team produce regular statistics on Covid-19 levels in the City. The site now also shows the vaccination uptake statistics.
The site below breaks down the cases in the City, and in Hackney, and by Ward, this enables residents to see the wider picture of infection rates. The site is updated regularly. https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data
Latest news in your language
All the information published in this newsletter, and on our website, can be translated into your preferred language. Simply click on the ‘select language’ box at the top of the page and select the language of your choice. (Translation is via google translate, so it may not be grammatically correct)
Turkish
Buradaki website ve yayınlanan bilgiler sizin konuştuğunuz Lisana çevrilmiştir. Tek yapacağınız şey, sayfanın başındaki ‘Select Language’ düğmesine basıp, konuştuğunuz Lisanı seçmektir.
Spanish
La información publicada en este boletín y en nuestra página web puede ser traducida al idioma que prefiera. Simplemente seleccione su idioma en el campo “select language” en la parte superior de la página (la traducción está realizada a traves de Google Translate por lo que puede ser que no sea gramaticalmente correcta).
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.
Web: www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk Email: info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Tel: 020 3745 9563 Twitter: @HealthwatchCoL Facebook: @CoLHealthwatch
Portsoken Health and Community Centre, 14-16 Little Somerset Street, London E1 8AH
