Healthwatch City of London Newsletter 22 October Newsletter
Chat from our Chair
You will have seen the Secretary of State for Health on the news this week urging those who are eligible to obtain their booster and flu vaccinations. As we enter the winter months many of us are anxious about how the Covid 19 virus and flu will impact upon us. It is important to continue to follow the advice of experts and follow the guidance and get vaccinated. You can find out more about getting vaccinated below or look on our website.
We have been exploring how we might develop more face-to-face contact with City residents as we know how much easier it is to be able to get feedback through conversations held in person. We feel the time isn’t right and, in an uncertain world, we are opting to carry on working with you virtually. We know that isn’t ideal, so we are developing a bit of mix that keeps you safe but informed. We also need to remember that many people don’t have easy access or any access to digital platforms so please do keep your neighbours informed about our work.
To that end we have organised a series of webinars for your interest and information, these include the East London Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ELoPE) group webinar, our Annual Public Meeting where we’ll be joined by Tracey Fletcher, Chief Executive of Homerton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Dame Alwen Williams DBE, Group Chief Executive, Barts Health NHS Trust, and a talk about the research and work of the William Harvey Research Institute, which is part of the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. You can read further information on each of these webinars and how to register below.
Although we cannot hold face to face events, yet we can arrange to meet you individually if you want to discuss access to care, have a query or want to raise an issue. Please contact the team on 020 3745 9563. We are in the City one day a week and aim for two if we can get access to accommodation. Next month we hope to bring you better news about a permanent home.
Book your booster and flu vaccination
People in the City of London are being urged to protect themselves against Covid-19 and flu this winter – and it has never been easier to get vaccinated.
It is really important that anyone eligible has their flu vaccination, Covid-19 booster or initial Covid-19 jab so if you are invited for a vaccine, do take up the offer to protect yourself and those around you. You will also be helping the local NHS.
NHS North East London Clinical Commissioning Group (NEL CCG) is working with local partners to deliver vaccinations in the City of London and across North East London.
Vaccines for older and vulnerable adults
Everyone aged 50 and over is eligible for a free flu vaccine and a Covid-19 booster vaccination, as well as other vulnerable adults.
You can find more information here on who is eligible for a free flu jab and information on the vaccine itself. You can get vaccinated at your GP surgery, at a hospital appointment, at a pharmacy offering the service, or through your midwife if you are pregnant. You can find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine here now.
Eligible vulnerable adults can also get their Covid-19 booster to make sure they have a high level of protection as we head into winter. You can see who is eligible here – people must have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with the second one at least six months ago. You can have your Covid-19 booster at the same time as your flu jab if you wish, but it is up to you.
If you are eligible, you can go ahead and book your booster now at the National Booking Service. NHS frontline staff, including NHS Volunteers, can also book boosters on the National Booking Service, and will need to show work ID when they get vaccinated.
People who have a health condition that means they have a weakened immune system are entitled to a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, eight weeks after their second. This is not the same as a booster vaccine, and they may still be eligible for a booster in the future. Those affected can speak to their GP, hospital team or pharmacist to get their third dose.
Vaccines for children and young people
The NHS is also visiting schools to give flu vaccinations to young people as usual this year, and Covid-19 vaccinations to young people aged 12-15. Children’s parents or guardians will be contacted with information about the vaccine and when it will be available. Children who are yet to start school can have their flu vaccine at their GP practice, and plans are being made to provide sites outside of school for 12- 15-year-olds to get a Covid-19 vaccine.
Covid vaccines for those aged 16-17 and above
Anyone aged 16 and over can easily find their nearest walk-in vaccination centre for their first or second jab through the ‘Grab a Jab’ NHS online walk-in finder. There is no need to pre-book and no need to bring a parent or guardian if you are 16 or 17; you can simply walk in and have your jab. You can also book appointments at a local centre through the National Booking Service. This map shows where all north east London vaccination sites are.
Our upcoming webinars
Healthwatch City of London have an exciting series of webinars booked for your interest and information over the next few months. The webinars are run alongside our regular events. Please see the details and how to join below.
East London Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ELoPE) group webinar
Wednesday 10th November 6pm – 7pm
Join us and Professor Riyaz Patel from Barts Health NHS Trust to hear about The East London Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Group (ELoPE) programme.
East London has some of the highest levels of premature heart disease, stroke and early death in the country. The ELoPE team, working with partners like the British Heart Foundation, are working to reduce this burden of cardiovascular disease and health inequality in our local community.
In particular they are working in hospitals, primary care with GPs and directly with the community through schools and health events to ensure a healthier future for our population.
To find out more about their work and how you can benefit, join our webinar on 10th November between 6pm -7pm. We’ll hear from Professor Riyaz Patel (Consultant Cardiologist) who will give an overview of the program and will be answering your questions
You can submit a question for the team and register here
Healthwatch City of London Annual Public Meeting
Friday 10th December 3pm – 5pm
Our Annual Public Meeting will be held on Friday 10th December, our key speakers will be Tracey Fletcher, Chief Executive of Homerton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Dame Alwen Williams DBE, Group Chief Executive, Barts Health NHS Trust. Tracey and Alwen will be talking about patient engagement and enabling your voice to be heard during the reconfiguration of services and the development of the Integrated Care Partnership, In addition they will tell us how their Trusts are tackling the waiting lists. They will take questions from attendees, and we will let you know more about that as we get nearer the date.
Hopefully, we will be able to hold the meeting in person, we are currently looking for a suitable space, but for now we have set up a zoom call. We’ll let you know if we are able to find a suitable venue.
You can submit a question for the panel and register here
Dr David Collier, William Harvey Research Institute Webinar
Thursday 20th January 6pm – 7pm
Dr David Collier, Joint Clinical Director at the William Harvey Research Institute will be joining us on Thursday 20th January to talk about the William Harvey Research Institute. Dr Collier will talk about the remit of the Institute, how it links with Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, the current projects being undertaken and the research of the team.
You can submit a question for Dr Collier and register here
Barts Health
Healthwatch City of London are now meeting with Barts Health on a regular basis. You’ll recall that we advertised their new patient forum a few weeks ago, they are working through the terms of reference for this group. We will let you know when the forum is up a running.
Healthwatch City of London now have a place on the St Bartholomew's Patient Experience & Engagement Committee which is a monthly forum for staff and patient reps.
Please let us know if you have any concerns that you would like to raise info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Following our request for your experience of cardiac screening referrals we held a meeting with the Assistant Director for Diagnostic Services, Barts Heart Centre to discuss how GPs access non invasive cardiac tests such as ECG and monitoring . A summary of the key points discussed are set out below:
- GPs can access tests via the services at the Royal London, UCLH and Homerton Hospitals and should be according to patient choice.
- Referrals to cardiac consultants from GPs can be made via Choose and Book to the Royal London, UCLH and Homerton Hospitals and once again patient choice is available.
- If you require specialist treatment or a diagnostic referral to St Bartholomew's Hospital this will be made by your consultant.
- All the cardiac consultants at the Royal London, UCLH and Homerton Hospitals work as part of the Barts Health Team.
- Barts Heart Centre provides the cardiology services at UCLH. Cardiology consultants at UCLH also work at the Barts Heart Centre with well-established clinical pathways between both hospitals.
- All the notes and test results are visible to the cardiac team wherever your tests took place.
- Barts Heart Centre does not have open access diagnostics as it is a specialist centre providing diagnostics to support on site outpatient and inpatient activity.
Barts Heath are currently working to improve diagnostic pathways working with the Integrated Care Partnerships and NHS London contributing to the development of Community Diagnostic Hubs. To improve diagnostic pathways for patients, offer better choice and earlier detection of cardiac conditions. Healthwatch City of London will continue to work with Barts Health and report back to you.
Face to Face GP appointments
The number of face-to-face GP appointments is still only 58% nationally compared to 80% pre pandemic. Patients have also complained of long wait times on the telephone to book appointments.
If you have had difficulty booking a face-to-face appointment or have had a long wait time getting through to book, please let us know via email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Safeguarding Adults Week 15 - 19 November 2021
The City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board (CHSAB) welcomes staff working in City & Hackney to attend a series of engagement sessions for Safeguarding Adults Week.
The City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board is a multi-agency partnership which has statutory functions under the Care Act 2014. The main objective of the board is to assure itself that local safeguarding arrangements and partners act to safeguard adults at risk of abuse in the local area. Safeguarding is a vital process that protects adults (and children) from harm, abuse, and neglect.
If you are interested in attending any of the events below please contact chsab@hackney.gov.uk to register interest or find out more about the events.
The Sessions:
Monday 15th
fore most cardiology consultants at UCLH also work at their centre with well-established clinical pathways between both hospitals including specialist outreach clinics at UCLH.h November 2021
10:00 - 11:00: Safe & together approach to domestic abuse - Claire Adamson
14:00 - 15:00: Think family & working with people's social network - Pippa Quinn
Tuesday 16th November 2020
10:00 - 11:00: Working effectively with non-engagers - Pippa Quin
Wednesday 17th November 2020
11:30 - 13:00: Transitional safeguarding - Nathalie Huegler & Jeri Damman
14:00 - 15:30: Self-neglect and safeguarding - Peter Ramsey & Salma Qureshi
Thursday 18th November 2020
12:00 - 13:00: Carers and safeguarding - Sam McGavin
13:30 - 14:00: Executive capacity & self neglect - Alex Ruck Keene
Friday 19th November 2020
10:00 - 11:00: Trauma informed approaches - Lance Tilley
12:00 - 13:00: Learning from City & Hackney safeguarding adults reviews - Raynor Griffith
Register to vote in the City of London elections
As the City works to rebuild from the pandemic, now is your chance to help shape its future. In March 2022, elections will be held across the Square Mile to decide who will represent City workers and residents for the next three years. You must be registered by 16 December 2021 in order to vote.
Unlike in other elections elsewhere, people who work or live in the City can vote.
To register visit www.speakforthecity.com campaign site where you will find more information about the elections.
Have your say on Health and Wellbeing
The City of London Corporation is developing its Health and Wellbeing strategy for 2022-26. The strategy looks at how a range of organisations including the City of London corporation, the NHS, the voluntary and community sector, businesses and communities can work together to improve people’s health and reduce health inequalities.
Healthwatch City of London attend the Health and wellbeing Board to feedback our priorities and the actions that need to be taken. There are a number of ways that you too can get involved to contribute your ideas and thoughts. The City of London corporation are running peer research projects which involve surveys and focus groups to help shape the strategy.
If you would like to get involved in the peer research projects or any other opportunities to help shape the strategy, please contact DCCSStrategyPerformanceteam@cityoflondon.gov.uk or to talk us about any concerns or ideas you have please email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Online GP Consultations in North East London
Healthwatch across North East London, including Healthwatch City of London, would like to hear your experience of online GP consultations.
Your feedback is of enormous value as it helps the NHS plan the best service they can, with the resources that they have, to meet local residents needs.
They need to move quickly to respond to current needs and they would therefore be grateful if you could possibly complete the survey by the end of Thursday 4th November 2021. It shouldn't take more than five minutes of your time.
For more information please contact, elhcp.digitalfirst@nhs.net
Healthwatch City of London events
See below for the next scheduled dates for our regular ‘Listening to City Carers’ events and our Mental Health and Wellbeing focus groups.
As a result of listening to you, we have enabled a carer to receive their COVID vaccination in their home, enabled another resident to access the ELFT mental health team, given a voice for carers in the retendering process by the Corporation of London of their home care contract.
Mental Health and Wellbeing focus group
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.
Date: Thursday 18th November
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82400703243?pwd=Q0N4THRkTEVzNzZWbUYzQ0lkc2VtZz09
Meeting ID: 824 0070 3243 Passcode: 390856
Listening to City Carers
Overview: An opportunity for Carer’s to provide feedback on their experience of Health and Social Care.
Date: Friday 26th November
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81897762127?pwd=ZUFsdVMxS2lETmczZy8rdHlDWUl4Zz09
Meeting ID: 818 9776 2127 Passcode: 575751
Beyond Shakespeare
Get back put and enjoy the City; Beyond Shakespeare are doing a re-construction of the 1621 Lord Mayor’s show on Friday 29th October 2021 for full details and times go to beyondshakespeare.org
Latest Covid-19 statistics for the City of London
The joint City and Hackney Public Health Intelligence Team produce regular statistics on Covid-19 levels and vaccination uptake data in the City. The site is updated regularly and accessible at https://hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data
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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