Healthwatch City of London December Newsletter
Chat from our Chair
Welcome to our December Newsletter which is once again full of useful information for you to digest and feedback to us. As we approach the end of the year, we’re looking forward to holding our festive buffet lunch, an opportunity to come together and spread some seasonal joy. Some of have already signed up so we are looking forward to meeting you or seeing you again if you have been to one of our events before. Find out about what we do, how you can get involved if you want to and how you can help us to help you. More details and where to register are down below.
We also have an upcoming Patient Panel on mental health and social isolation, which we know is especially important to talk about during this winter period. Do join us if you can, but all the information will be on our website.
Our Digi Apps report and our report into PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) will be released this month, the reports share important insight into issues that are directly related to how you are experiencing your health and social care services. They will be released onto our website.
We also have information on staying healthy through the winter months, including prioritising your winter vaccinations and how you can access your pharmacist with the Pharmacy First Scheme.
We also have an update on the future of the falls service in the City which we spoke about in our November newsletter, as well as information on the new men’s health strategy which has been recently announced by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting.
The National Audit Office investigation into the NHS dental recovery plan has been released, in which it has been shown that the plan has not been able to achieve what it intended to do, we have information on that down below and how you can tell us about the impact this has on you.
Do join us if you can we always look forward to seeing you and hearing about your experiences of health and social care, we look forward to seeing you at our events.
We will be closed over Christmas, from Friday 20th to Wednesday 1st January, and returning on Thursday, 2nd January. We will be releasing our annual Christmas opening times for your Health and Social Care services, which we will directly email to you and will be found on our website.
Stay warm, stay healthy, and enjoy the festive season!
Gail
Chair, Healthwatch City of London
Join us at our Patient Panel series
Our Patient Panels are here to give you the information you need on Health and Social Care in the City. We invite in experts that are able to share and highlight important issues in the City that may directly impact you. If you have a particular issue or topic that you would like to hear about, please let us know by emailing us at info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Join us tomorrow for our Patient Panel on Supporting you this season: mental health and the services you can access
We know how hard the festive period can be for some of you in our community and we hope that talking about mental health and how to stay well during the winter period will help.
Join us on Thursday, December 5 from 10:30am to 12pm on zoom with Katie Pomeroy, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner & Community Engagement Lead from City and Hackney Talking Therapies. You will also hear about the Together Better programme from the Neaman Practice who hold health and wellbeing activities in your area.
To register, visit here
Join us for our festive lunch
We will be holding a buffet lunch on Thursday, 12th December from 11:30am to 2pm to celebrate the festive period at the Golden Lane Community Centre.
We can’t wait to catch up with all of you, our lunch will be a great chance to share with us your experiences of services as well spend time with your neighbours and those in your community, make sure to invite your friends, family and neighbours. A great chance to meet new people too.
To register, please visit here
Making sure you and your family stay well this winter
Staying up to date with your vaccinations throughout your life is the best way to protect you and those around you from serious diseases.
Whether you’ve been invited to get your latest Covid-19 vaccine, it’s time for you or your child to have the winter flu vaccine, or you’re eligible for the shingles vaccine, you can find all the information you need by visiting the NHS North East London vaccination hub.
On our website you will find helpful information on what vaccines you can get, why they are important and how to book so that you can stay well this winter. You an also use the government website and just pop in your postcode to find out if you are eligible for a free vaccination and where to get one done locally as sometimes those who live in the City are given information on centres that are some way away.
National Audit Office investigation into the NHS dental recovery plan
We know that many people are currently struggling to access a NHS dentist. The Dental Recovery Plan, published in February 2024, was published with the aim of improving access to NHS dental services.
The plan was designed to deliver over 1.5 million additional NHS dental treatments in 2024-25. According to the NAO report, The Dental Recovery Plan is currently not on track to meet the target of delivering more than 1.5 million additional courses of treatment in 2024-25.
The conclusion of the report is that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE) need to reflect on what aspects of the plan have been successful and build on those lessons as they work towards meaningful reforms to the NHS dental contract.
To find out more about the report and what needs to be done, you can visit our website
We will be looking at dentistry in the City and how residents are able to access dentistry through the NHS. We are looking for your experiences and feedback on how you feel about the access and care you receive from your dentist, email info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk to tell us your experiences.
New men's health strategy to tackle men's health
You will remember that we had to delay our event on Men’s health partly due to a difficulty in getting traction locally. Now Health and Social Care Secretary of State Wes Streeting has confirmed plans for a new men’s health strategy. The strategy aims to address some of the biggest health challenges facing men of all ages, including heart disease, strokes, prostate and testicular cancer, as well as mental health issues and suicide prevention.
It was also highlighted that there is an urgent need for action to close the life expectancy gap between men and women, as men are currently, on average, living almost four years shorter than women. He also noted the growing concern over mental health, with suicide being the leading cause of death for men under 50.
The new men’s health strategy will be launched in 2024, and the government is urging all men to participate in the consultation to help shape a healthier future for men across the UK.
Our engagement in promoting men’s health
So, although we had to postpone our men’s health event which aims to promote the importance of men’s health and the services that are directly available in the City. We will be holding the event in February, with guest speakers and local services in the City. We are looking forward to hearing what our local services and the North East London ICB and City and Hackney Public Health have planned.
Falls prevention – helping you stay on your feet
In our last newsletter, we spoke about our concerns regarding the future of the Staying Steady Course, a service that once you have had a fall, helps you to get back on your feet, gaining stability and confidence.
The course was at risk of losing its funding, a matter we raised at the most recent Health and Wellbeing Board. The Board asked for assurance that the service would be provided until a alternative provision was put in place.
At present the City and Hackney Public Health team are planning to put into place a long-term preventative type service. We will be sure to keep you updated on any news of the service.
To read about the service, visit here
Managing Emergency pressures at Barts Trust
Many patients who visit A&E do not require emergency care, and whilst many of us are aware of that fact, many people are unaware of how hospitals are effectively redirecting these patients who do present at A&E without emergency symptoms to more appropriate services, such as an Urgent Treatment Centre.
The Royal London Hospital has achieved the best results in London regarding this, according to a recent regional audit. The audit revealed areas for improvement, in particular for patients who were seen in A&E but did not need emergency care, as 25% of patients at the Royal London in A&E could have been treated elsewhere.
In order to reduce the amount of patients and ease the pressure A&E is facing, hospitals are supporting a campaign encouraging patients to #RethinkA&E and to consider visiting a GP or pharmacy for non-emergency issues.
Do you know when to go to A&E? sometimes it can be difficult to make that decision, visit here to understand more about A&E and when you need to go.
The Pharmacy First Scheme
You can now get treatment for seven common conditions directly from your local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. This scheme aims to help reduce pressure on A&E and GP surgeries and gives patients quick and accessible care. The seven common conditions include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo (a bacterial skin infection), shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) in women. Pharmacists will be able to direct you back to the best professional to support you if they are unable to offer help.
For more information and which pharmacies in the City you can access for the scheme, visit our website
Have your say on the Bunhill, Barbican and Golden Lane healthy neighbourhood scheme
The Bunhill, Barbican and Golden Lane healthy neighbourhood scheme is a joint project between the City of London Corporation and Islington Council. It will prioritise street spaces for people walking cycling and using public transport, and will make these unique neighbourhoods more vibrant and successful places where people can lead active and healthy lives.
The City of London Corporation now want to understand your level of support for these ideas.
To read more and to have your say visit here
Family Lives wellbeing service for City of London parents and their families
Are you finding parenting stressful? Family Lives wellbeing service for City of London parents and their families can help you. Family Lives provides individual and group parenting support to parents and carers and their families experiencing emotional and mental health challenges.
If you or your child are struggling with your emotional health, their family support worker will be able to provide a listening ear, help you to understand what’s going on for you and your family, help you find your way through your challenges and signpost or refer you to other support agencies.
To read about the service and how you can access, visit here
New episode of Taking Control of Cancer podcast
Taking Control of Cancer is a podcast series from the North East London Cancer Alliance to help dispel common cancer myths, and overcome fears and barriers. In their latest podcast, British Athlete Joe Appiah shares his experience of prostate cancer and talks about prostate cancer risks, urging men with a higher risk to take action.
Other episodes include, how you can overcome local challenges in cancer care, staying positive after a prostate cancer diagnosis, becoming cancer free and looking after your lungs.
Check out where you can listen here
