Healthwatch Devon

Are you happy with the eye care you’re receiving? Is healthy vision is something you take for granted?

It’s important check your eyesight regularly and, if there is a problem, be able to access the support you need. With over 600,000 people waiting for specialist NHS eye care, we know that getting the care you need isn’t always simple.

Take a few minutes to share your feedback with us today: https://bit.ly/eye-care-survey

Have you or a loved one used our community mental health services in the last two years? If so, Devon Partnership Trust want to hear from you.

They are asking for your feedback to make sure that they are truly delivering what they set out to do when they transformed their community mental health services as part of the Community Mental Health Framework.

You can share your feedback in one of two short surveys depending on if you've accessed services yourself or if a loved one/someone you care for has.

Find out more and complete the survey here: https://loom.ly/oGUtjBA

The closing date is 30th September.

There are exciting opportunities to talk to our Healthwatch Champions!

Healthwatch Champions in Devon are part of Citizens Advice and provide specialist support, guidance and advice in all aspects of health and social care. The champions will help clients resolve any health and social care enquiries.

Our Champions will be available to talk to on the following dates:
• Wednesday 18th September 2024
• Wednesday 23rd October 2024
• Wednesday 20th November 2024

You can find them at Newton Abbot Library, The Passmore Edwards Centre, Market Street, TQ12 2RJ, from 9am to 12pm.

Find out more about Healthwatch Champions and what they do here: https://loom.ly/A_o2Urg

Libraries Unlimited Newton Abbot Library

It's week!

This week the NHS and Public Health professionals are encouraging people aged 40 plus to check their blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a major cause of heart attack and stroke but usually has no symptoms. Knowing your numbers means you can start making healthy lifestyle changes or start taking medicines if you need them to bring your blood pressure down to a healthy level.

If you are aged 40 or over, you can get to by going along to one of the outreach sessions being held this week.

To find out the dates, times and locations visit: https://loom.ly/dRU9zN8

Our national partners, Healthwatch England, have recently published their latest findings on people’s experiences using Community Diagnostic Centres.

Most people Healthwatch spoke to had a positive experience of using Community Diagnostic Centres. However, people’s experiences demonstrate that there’s still room for improvement, especially around accessibility at the testing sites and information on how to get to testing centres.

In a new report by Healthwatch England, insights show important lessons for any future expansion on community-based healthcare services. Find out more: https://loom.ly/vYLooSg

NHS 111 offering crisis mental health support for the first time.

Millions of patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support through 111, the NHS announced on Tuesday 27 August.

People of all ages, including children, who are in crisis or concerned family and loved ones can now call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional.

Find out more here: https://loom.ly/XEDG22E

Devon County Council is set to expand its network of Youth and Adult Employment Hubs across the county to support people into employment and training.

Working in partnership with four district councils (East Devon, Exeter City, Mid Devon and North Devon), the County Council already has a number of Hubs in operation at Barnstaple Library, Cullompton Library, Exeter Library, and at the Beehive Community Centre in Honiton. Now, two more Hubs are set to open at the Family Hub in Ilfracombe and the Old Heathcoat School Community Centre in Tiverton.

Learn more here: https://loom.ly/NmdXiwA

The results of the latest annual survey of hospital inpatients, published on 21 August by the CQC, show patient satisfaction levels are largely unchanged since 2022 but remain significantly worse than pre-pandemic.

The 2023 adult inpatient survey captures the views and experience of more than 63,500 people who stayed in one of 131 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England for at least one night during November* last year.

The survey asked people to give their opinions on the care they received, including quality of information and communication with staff, whether they were given enough privacy, the amount of support given to help them eat and drink, and on their discharge arrangements.

Find out more here: https://loom.ly/OLVsbyU

Don't forget to grab your prescriptions before the August bank holiday!

Most practices ask patients to order prescriptions in advance. Check with your practice 📅

Find out more about how to order a repeat prescription here: https://loom.ly/gVc_XvE

The Community Mental Health Framework is a national programme. Its aim is to improve community support and services for people with mental health problems to help ensure more joined-up and easier to access care and support.

The Devon Mental Health Alliance have put together an anonymous survey they would like you to complete as they are keen to understand your experiences so they can improve services.

Find out more and complete the survey here: https://loom.ly/HSan8uY

Survey closes Friday 30th August

Calling all Healthwatch Assist Network members, tomorrow we are hosting our next Assist Network meeting!

The meeting will take place online on Wednesday 14th August 2024 from 5:30pm to 7pm.

Joining the meeting, we’ll have a guest speaker with us from Communities Pharmacies to explain some of the changes happening and to gather your insights and feedback. NHS Devon is writing a community pharmacy strategy for the next five years and would like to understand more about how local people use community pharmacies now, and how they would like to use them in the future.

Book your place here: https://loom.ly/sGlB98Q

Can’t make it to this meeting? Please share any experiences or issues through our online feedback form: https://loom.ly/h3fwCRM

Throughout August, our MIUs & WIC are there to provide medical help when it's not a life-threatening emergency. Visit nhsquicker.co.uk for up-to-date info on waiting times & opening hours.

If you need urgent care call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk

From Thursday 1 August, GPs across England will start capping the number of patients they are willing to see, after the British Medical Association (BMA) announced an immediate work-to-rule action.

During collective action, practices are still required to be open between 08:00 and 18:30 Monday to Friday. It is vital that patients still attend their appointments unless they are told otherwise, and practices should inform you of any changes to services.

The nature of the action means that the impacts will vary at different GP practices and from area to area but could include GPs limiting the number of patient appointments per day.

Patients should continue to use 111 for urgent medical help when their GP practice is unavailable and if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency call 999.

For more details, please visit: https://loom.ly/NHwmVxU

Share your views on pharmacy services!

The NHS in Devon is developing a community pharmacy strategy and wants to hear your views and experiences on current and future services.

Find out more and share your views here: https://ow.ly/Prcp50SCpYB

Want to make a difference?

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is looking for people to join an important group and bring the voices of their communities to the Trust.

Why not apply to be a public governor?

Find out more: https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/about-us/foundation-trust-and-membership/council-of-governors/governor-elections/

Help your local hospital by choosing the right service for you!

🩹 Self-Care: A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over the counter medicines and plenty of rest.

💊 Pharmacy: Pharmacists can advise and treat a range of symptoms. This can avoid unnecessary trips to your GP or A&E department and no appointments are needed.

👨‍⚕️ GP: GP’s and nurses have excellent understanding of general health issues and can deal with a whole range of health problems.

🏥 Minor Injuries: Minor Injury Units provide non-urgent services for a range of conditions. They are usually led by nurses and an appointment is not necessary.

🚑 A&E/999: These re best used in an emergency for serious life-threatening situations.

☎️ NHS 111: This is available 24/7 and can provide advice and guidance for non-life-threatening emergencies.

💻 NHS Website: You can also access health advice and guidance through the NHS website.

Are you a parent, carer or guardian?

The HANDi App has been made to provide easy access to advice and support for the most common childhood healthcare conditions.

Parents can answer a series of questions about the symptoms their child is experiencing and the app then advises on the best course of action, whether that’s to treat at home, to make a GP appointment, or to head to A&E. This app gives parents more confidence in dealing with minor conditions at home.

Download the HANDi app here: https://loom.ly/Ubmdr30

The new Family Hubs Advice & Guidance Line is now live!

By phoning 0800 538 5458 families in Devon will be able to speak to one of our Family Hub Navigators who will be able to provide support and guidance – whether you’re having a parenting issue or you’re feeling overwhelmed with the pressures of family life, a member of our friendly, supportive team will be able to give you guidance and signpost you to information and advice and help you with understanding and accessing relevant services and information.