Healthwatch City of London October Newsletter
Chat from the Chair
I‘d like to start by saying how deeply saddened we are by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who served our nation with so much dignity and dedication during her long years of public service. We at HWCoL would like to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
You will see in this newsletter unfortunately, we have decided to postpone our Annual General Meeting ‘Local Voice, Local Care’ until December. A number of our speakers are now unable to make the meeting, therefore we thought it best to reschedule to make sure that that the people you want to hear from are available. We’ll rearrange the date and let you know as soon as possible.
We are however excited to announce that we are starting a series of ‘Patient Panels’ which are designed to cover topics which are of concern to you. We want to know how services are working for you, what could be better, what works and how we can help make a difference. We start this month with Footcare, where we’ll be joined by Hoxton Health who currently provide the toenail cutting service for three of our local GP Practices. Please see the details of the session below.
You will have seen on the news the appointment of a new Health secretary, Therese Coffey, who last week announced the ‘Plan for Patients’ before Parliament. We’d love to know you experiences of accessing Primary Care and emergency care. In an article below we summarise the plan and how we’ll monitor it.
The COVID 19 booster vaccine programme has now started, with the flu jab programme starting very soon, once we get news of this, we’ll let you know.
Finally, we know that this is a worrying time for many residents as it gets colder and the bills increase, we ask that if you have a vulnerable or elderly neighbour or friend that you check on them to offer support. There is help available details of which you can find below.
Stay safe
Gail
Cancellation of our Annual General Meeting
Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel our Annual General Meeting which was scheduled for 4th October as a number of our speakers were unable to attend. We’ll reschedule the meeting for later in the year. We would prefer to hold our meeting face to face but we know that many of you are still worried about being out and about in larger gatherings; tell us what you think about holding an online Annual Public Meeting.
Healthwatch City of London Patient Panel – Footcare
We are delighted to announce the first in our series of patient panels. The session is open to everyone to come along to hear about the chosen topic of month. We want to know how you experience services and what improvements or changes would help make the services better. We will have a dedicated topic at regular intervals supported by a survey. We will than make sure that those providing services hear your views. This month our focus is on Footcare. We’ll be joined by Hoxton Health who will be giving an update on the services they provide, and the plans for the future of the service. Is there something you would like to talk about? Let us know and join one of our Panels.
Join us on Friday 14th October between 10am – 11am at the Ralph Perring Room, Golden Lane Estate. Let us know you’re coming by emailing us at info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
The Government Plan for Patients
Last week the new Health Secretary Therese Coffey announced the ‘Our Plan for Patients’,
Summarised the main focus points of the plan are as follows:
PRIMARY CARE
- Government ‘expects’ all patients who need an appointment will get one ‘with their practice’ within two weeks
- Patients with the most urgent needs ‘should’ be seen within the same day
- Integrated care boards expected to hold the worst practices to account over access
- Overall plan to free up 1m+ appointments this winter, via pharmacies and practice-based professionals like nurse practitioners picking up some GP work
- Surgeries to get better phone lines or cloud-based systems to help patients get through
DENTISTS
- New contractual requirement comes in November 2022 for dental surgeries to keep NHS website listing up to date on whether they’re taking on new NHS patients
URGENT AND EMERGENCY CARE
- 4-hour A&E wait target won't be scrapped
- Focus on ambulance waits, especially at 15 hospital trusts accounting for 45% of delays
- Focus on hospital discharge and monitoring more people in own homes
- NHS 111 call handlers will increase to 4,800 and 999 handlers to 2,500 by Dec 2022
It is important to point out that the two-week appointment deadline is not a new mandatory or legal part of the NHS GPs contract. Alternatives to GPs may be appropriate, such as pharmacists in local chemists (some of whom can prescribe), practice-based physician associates, nurse practitioners and social prescribers. You can read a Healthwatch Guide on using your pharmacy here How can your pharmacy help you? | Healthwatch
As a Healthwatch we will be monitoring the patient experience following these proposals, we have compiled a short survey for you tell us of your experiences accessing care over the past month. Our new Patent Panels will also help us to provide an insight on progress to those delivering your care.
Covid-19 booster extended to over 65s
People aged 65 and over are able to book their autumn Covid-19 booster through the national booking system, meaning five million more people can now top up their protection ahead of winter.
The booster is also now offering appointments to carers and pregnant women and will continue to be rolled out in line with the recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). You can see a list of those eligible for a booster through this link.
PCN Health Fair, change of date
Due to the sad passing of the HM the Queen, The Shoreditch Park and City Primary Care Network (PCN) first ever PCN Health Fair was cancelled. The event will now be held at De Beauvior Surgery, 30 Hertford Road, N1 5QT, will now be held on Saturday, 1st October 2022, from 11am to 3pm.
The aim of the event is to increase patient and family, healthcare professional and community organisation engagement to support and empower patients and their families to live, eat and stay healthy. This event is open to all.
A number of community-based organisations will form part of this exciting event to offer and provide, helpful information, leaflets, resources and activities, to support our patients and their families on their journey to increased health and wellbeing.
Polio jabs for children
The NHS is offering children aged 1 to 9 in London a polio vaccine. This will either be a booster on top of your child’s routine immunisations or a catch-up dose.
The NHS will contact you to book an appointment.
For more information on polio visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polio/
City Advice – Cost of Living event
City Advice is holding another Cost of Living information event. The event will cover income maximisation, the help available from central Govt, what help the City of London can provide, what fuel and water companies can do, along with other useful information.
Advisers, including specialist debt advisers, will be available on the day to speak to people.
The event will take place on Monday 3rd October at the Portsoken Community Centre between 11am – 1pm.
Please see the attached flyer for more information
One day spectacular in the Square Mile
The City of London has announced plans for a one-day spectacular of theatre, games, and performance to fill the Square Mile with art and events this autumn. Details are still being finalised, but the event is set to feature over 100 performers, the highlights include a treasure hunt, 16 doors into a ‘maze’ of adventures, three carnival-inspired fairs, and creative street theatre. Held in public spaces across the square mile there will be circus performers, puppetry and storytelling to large-scale games and participatory dance, the event will run from dawn till dusk. The city’s cafes, pubs, bars, and restaurants will host ‘after parties’ so people can continue their evening. It’s all due to take place on Saturday 15th October, with the full programme of events announced closer to the date, but worth reserving the date in your diaries now.
You can view all events across the City of London on the corporation’s website https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/events
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 us
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
Portsoken Health and Community Centre, 20 Little Somerset Street, London E1 8AH
